THE BEGINNINGS OF OBEDEDOM
(Copied with permission from Pastor Reuben Maistry)
One has to start, historically speaking with the ‘mother’ of all assemblies Bethesda land.
The work which only later became known as Bethesda was actually started in Pietermaritzburg under the direction of John Alexander Rowlands who called together a small meeting at the residence of Mr Ebenezer Theophilus of 519 Longmarket Street, Pietermaritzburg, on July 17, 1925. The United Pentecostal Mission of Natal was born nine days later. The small group decided to initiate a Pentecostal work in the Indian community; moreover, their vision was not limited to Pietermaritzburg. Mr Ebenezer Theophilus who maintained a bright testimony at his fruit stall in the Maritzburg Market, played a vital role in the new work.
Services at 519 Longmarket Street commenced with a small Sunday school and Pastor JF Rowlands was the superintendent. JA Rowlands did what he could for the mission until 1928 when the complete charge of the work was handed over to his son. With the hearty co-operation of Brothers E. Theophilus, John Rufus, Joseph Hensman and others, the work progressed although with little success during the first six years. These were vital years because they were coming to know the Indian people more intimately.
In 1932 the converted fruit shop at 519 Longmarket Street became too small and was enlarged to twice the size. Open air meetings were held at the corner of Church and Retief and Church and Bank Streets. Regular mid-week services were held at the Ester Payne-Smith School. These ministry activities helped facilitate the growth of this work. When the place of worship was enlarged Pastor A.H. Cooper officially opened it in December 1932 and it was on this occasion that Obededom received its name. This was the first of many Biblical names to be given to churches. Obededom means in the Hebrew a servant of Edom and Edom refers to the red lentil pottage for which Esau sold his birthright. A number of references are also made in 2 Samuel to the house of Obededom, which is closely associated with the Ark; while in 1 Chronicles, Obededom is associated with the gatekeeper of the Tabernacle, appointed to bring up the Ark. Whatever the interpretation may be the ark which signifies God's presence was now closely associated with Obededom Temple. The new Obededom was only later built at 468 Longmarket Street, Pietermaritzburg.
Despite much opposition from within and outside the church, the work could not be stopped. It was 26 days after the campaign that Pastor JF Rowlands received a clear vision to start a work in Durban, which must be seen as an outflow from the work started in Pietermaritzburg.
After Pastor JF Rowlands left to Durban he started a work called Bethesda, Pastor T.L.Rowlands was inducted as the minister of Obededom. He worked at Obededom diligently until his retirement, which was described as a sad blow…. Yet inevitable because of his health. After the retirement of Pastor T.L.Rowlands, two elders, Brothers J.A.Lundall and D. Bruce, were approached by Pastor JF to take charge of the work at Obededom for the time being. Obededom then called Pastor O.Berntz-Lanz as pastor. He commenced their ministry on 1 January 1957 but announced his resignation on 28 August 1958. Pastor John J Fourie then became pastor in 1959 and returned to the USA.
In the interim at Carmel Temple, which fell under the jurisdiction of Obededom, Evangelist John R Paul took over the work from June 1955. At Bethany, which was also under Obdedom, Brother Douglas Raman was in charge. The work at Howick Assembly also came under Obededom and through Obededom’s missionary work the Gospel was preached in 1955 ‘to over two hundred souls.’ Brother David and Brother James Frank continued Obededom’s missionary work at Nottingham Road and Mooi River. In 1959 however, twenty-nine members of the ‘Coloured’ community transferred to the newly formed Philadelphia Sanctuary.
When Pastor J.J.Fourie resigned on April 9, 1959, Brother Arthur Naidoo was appointed by Pastor JF Rowlands as Elder-in-charge. Obededom itself was divided into seven wards in order to formulate a better visiting programme and each member of the church council was allotted a ward. At the end of 1959, Brother A.Naidoo immersed six candidates at the end-of year baptism service. A city wide tract distribution took place with over 23 000 distributed.
On January 19, 1961, a referendum was held at Obededom in order to determine the mind of the assembly regarding a full-time worker. The referendum indicated a need for such a worker and at least one third voted for Brother A.Naidoo. There was rapid growth under the ministry of Pastor A. Naidoo, with Obededom having oversight of many assemblies and missionary works. Some of these were Howick, Nottingham Road, Mooi River, Estcourt, Newcastle, Durnacol, Umlaas Road, Minicipal Farms, Northdale, Allandale, Cliffdale, Woodlands and others. Obededom also decided to support foreign missionary work and R6 per month was sent to Pastor H. Silvanus in Pondicherry, South India. Various individuals, such as Brother R. Kista also supported a work in Malaya, later started to support work abroad. Some of the missionaries who worked tirelessly in the missionary areas re listed as follows, Pastor Victor Nair who also was pastor of Bethany Temple, Brother Manie Naidoo, Brother and Sister Pretorious, Bobby Dorasamy, Vasie Moodley, Krishna Naidoo, Iyloo Chanciah, Marie Govender, Thomas Reddy, Henry Govender, Desmond Williams and Pastor Marcus Naidoo. The work at Obededom showed remarkable growth under a very able and devout pastor who found the support of his whole congregation.
One of the highlights at Obededom during the ministry of Pastor A. Naidoo was the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Bethesda land, whose roots were in Obededom. These celebrations were held in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on 26 July 1975, and at the Royal Agricultural Show grounds on Sunday 27 July 1975. On the 26th the City Hall was packed with a deeply grateful and attentive congregation. Pastor Arthur Naidoo extended a word of welcome to the great gathering. It was here at Obededom in Pietermaritzburg where it all started on July 26 , 1925, with a Sunday school at 519 Longmarket Street. The celebrations continued on Sunday 27 July 1925 at the Royal Agricultural Show grounds. The procession of ‘Christian Witness’ left Obededom Temple , 468 Longmarket Street, at 1pm. Many hundreds walked, carrying banners, followed by Gospel floats, motor cars with banners, lorries and many buses and trucks with choirs and musicians. The procession was over three miles in length. The head of the procession was already in the show grounds before the last of the floats left Longmarket Street. There was an estimated twenty five thousand people present at the show grounds. The Rev Carl Richardson preached a sermon entitled ‘Forward in Faith.’ Thus concluded the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
In 1980 , after 25 years of faithful ministry , Pastor A. Naidoo left Obededom and Pietermaritzburg and settled in Durban. He took up the position of dean and lecturer at Bethesda Bible College. In 1981 Pastor K. Naidoo was inducted as pastor of Obededom Temple. He faithfully served the church for eighteen years before taking up the position of pastor at Bethesda Temple, Durban.
(Copied with permission from Pastor Reuben Maistry)
One has to start, historically speaking with the ‘mother’ of all assemblies Bethesda land.
The work which only later became known as Bethesda was actually started in Pietermaritzburg under the direction of John Alexander Rowlands who called together a small meeting at the residence of Mr Ebenezer Theophilus of 519 Longmarket Street, Pietermaritzburg, on July 17, 1925. The United Pentecostal Mission of Natal was born nine days later. The small group decided to initiate a Pentecostal work in the Indian community; moreover, their vision was not limited to Pietermaritzburg. Mr Ebenezer Theophilus who maintained a bright testimony at his fruit stall in the Maritzburg Market, played a vital role in the new work.
Services at 519 Longmarket Street commenced with a small Sunday school and Pastor JF Rowlands was the superintendent. JA Rowlands did what he could for the mission until 1928 when the complete charge of the work was handed over to his son. With the hearty co-operation of Brothers E. Theophilus, John Rufus, Joseph Hensman and others, the work progressed although with little success during the first six years. These were vital years because they were coming to know the Indian people more intimately.
In 1932 the converted fruit shop at 519 Longmarket Street became too small and was enlarged to twice the size. Open air meetings were held at the corner of Church and Retief and Church and Bank Streets. Regular mid-week services were held at the Ester Payne-Smith School. These ministry activities helped facilitate the growth of this work. When the place of worship was enlarged Pastor A.H. Cooper officially opened it in December 1932 and it was on this occasion that Obededom received its name. This was the first of many Biblical names to be given to churches. Obededom means in the Hebrew a servant of Edom and Edom refers to the red lentil pottage for which Esau sold his birthright. A number of references are also made in 2 Samuel to the house of Obededom, which is closely associated with the Ark; while in 1 Chronicles, Obededom is associated with the gatekeeper of the Tabernacle, appointed to bring up the Ark. Whatever the interpretation may be the ark which signifies God's presence was now closely associated with Obededom Temple. The new Obededom was only later built at 468 Longmarket Street, Pietermaritzburg.
Despite much opposition from within and outside the church, the work could not be stopped. It was 26 days after the campaign that Pastor JF Rowlands received a clear vision to start a work in Durban, which must be seen as an outflow from the work started in Pietermaritzburg.
After Pastor JF Rowlands left to Durban he started a work called Bethesda, Pastor T.L.Rowlands was inducted as the minister of Obededom. He worked at Obededom diligently until his retirement, which was described as a sad blow…. Yet inevitable because of his health. After the retirement of Pastor T.L.Rowlands, two elders, Brothers J.A.Lundall and D. Bruce, were approached by Pastor JF to take charge of the work at Obededom for the time being. Obededom then called Pastor O.Berntz-Lanz as pastor. He commenced their ministry on 1 January 1957 but announced his resignation on 28 August 1958. Pastor John J Fourie then became pastor in 1959 and returned to the USA.
In the interim at Carmel Temple, which fell under the jurisdiction of Obededom, Evangelist John R Paul took over the work from June 1955. At Bethany, which was also under Obdedom, Brother Douglas Raman was in charge. The work at Howick Assembly also came under Obededom and through Obededom’s missionary work the Gospel was preached in 1955 ‘to over two hundred souls.’ Brother David and Brother James Frank continued Obededom’s missionary work at Nottingham Road and Mooi River. In 1959 however, twenty-nine members of the ‘Coloured’ community transferred to the newly formed Philadelphia Sanctuary.
When Pastor J.J.Fourie resigned on April 9, 1959, Brother Arthur Naidoo was appointed by Pastor JF Rowlands as Elder-in-charge. Obededom itself was divided into seven wards in order to formulate a better visiting programme and each member of the church council was allotted a ward. At the end of 1959, Brother A.Naidoo immersed six candidates at the end-of year baptism service. A city wide tract distribution took place with over 23 000 distributed.
On January 19, 1961, a referendum was held at Obededom in order to determine the mind of the assembly regarding a full-time worker. The referendum indicated a need for such a worker and at least one third voted for Brother A.Naidoo. There was rapid growth under the ministry of Pastor A. Naidoo, with Obededom having oversight of many assemblies and missionary works. Some of these were Howick, Nottingham Road, Mooi River, Estcourt, Newcastle, Durnacol, Umlaas Road, Minicipal Farms, Northdale, Allandale, Cliffdale, Woodlands and others. Obededom also decided to support foreign missionary work and R6 per month was sent to Pastor H. Silvanus in Pondicherry, South India. Various individuals, such as Brother R. Kista also supported a work in Malaya, later started to support work abroad. Some of the missionaries who worked tirelessly in the missionary areas re listed as follows, Pastor Victor Nair who also was pastor of Bethany Temple, Brother Manie Naidoo, Brother and Sister Pretorious, Bobby Dorasamy, Vasie Moodley, Krishna Naidoo, Iyloo Chanciah, Marie Govender, Thomas Reddy, Henry Govender, Desmond Williams and Pastor Marcus Naidoo. The work at Obededom showed remarkable growth under a very able and devout pastor who found the support of his whole congregation.
One of the highlights at Obededom during the ministry of Pastor A. Naidoo was the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Bethesda land, whose roots were in Obededom. These celebrations were held in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on 26 July 1975, and at the Royal Agricultural Show grounds on Sunday 27 July 1975. On the 26th the City Hall was packed with a deeply grateful and attentive congregation. Pastor Arthur Naidoo extended a word of welcome to the great gathering. It was here at Obededom in Pietermaritzburg where it all started on July 26 , 1925, with a Sunday school at 519 Longmarket Street. The celebrations continued on Sunday 27 July 1925 at the Royal Agricultural Show grounds. The procession of ‘Christian Witness’ left Obededom Temple , 468 Longmarket Street, at 1pm. Many hundreds walked, carrying banners, followed by Gospel floats, motor cars with banners, lorries and many buses and trucks with choirs and musicians. The procession was over three miles in length. The head of the procession was already in the show grounds before the last of the floats left Longmarket Street. There was an estimated twenty five thousand people present at the show grounds. The Rev Carl Richardson preached a sermon entitled ‘Forward in Faith.’ Thus concluded the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
In 1980 , after 25 years of faithful ministry , Pastor A. Naidoo left Obededom and Pietermaritzburg and settled in Durban. He took up the position of dean and lecturer at Bethesda Bible College. In 1981 Pastor K. Naidoo was inducted as pastor of Obededom Temple. He faithfully served the church for eighteen years before taking up the position of pastor at Bethesda Temple, Durban.