The Louis Trichardt congregation of the Methodist Church is expected to have a fully ordained minister by the end of the year. Since January 2022, the local community has been served by probationary minister Walter van Wyk, who is currently completing his studies and is set to be ordained in September.
The Van Wyk family—including Walter, his wife Brigitte, their daughter Faith, son Joshua, and their dog Pokkel—has quickly become part of the Louis Trichardt community. They moved here from Rehoboth, Namibia, where Walter grew up. After studying in Johannesburg, he was sent to Louis Trichardt.
His Sunday services at 09:00 have grown in popularity, and his passion for his work is infectious.
"We are fortunate to have knowledgeable people in the congregation with excellent learning material who help educate the leaders of tomorrow with a strong Christian foundation," he said.
For Van Wyk, ministry is not just a Sunday morning duty. On Tuesdays, a Bible study session is held at Loerie Park, run "by women for women." A prayer session takes place at the church on Thursdays at 10:00, followed by a Bible study at 18:00.
"All are welcome to join our services and Sunday school, and we invite former Methodist members to come and worship with us," he said.
The Methodist Church in Louis Trichardt is one of the oldest churches in town. The congregation was established in the mid-to-late 1920s. A picture hanging at the front of the church of its first minister, LH Holding, indicates that he served from 1927 to 1930. The cornerstone of the church building was laid by Mrs A. Thompson on 21 September 1930.