EFCI HISTORY
HISTORY OF EBENEZER FAMILY CHURCH INTERNATIONAL
About the Church
This is a journey that started in 1981 during the graduation ceremony at Rhema Bible Training Centre, when Dr Frederick K. C. Price charged the graduating class of 1981 saying, “there are more people in Johannesburg than any of your churches can accommodate,…. so do not allow strife among yourselves and members moving between your churches. Secondly, preach to five thousand as to five, and five as to five thousands –never adjust your sermon.”
These words became important when a decision was taken, following the call of God upon our lives, that Pastor Trinity Mthiyane and Ps Linda Mthiyane returned to Esikhawini to start a church in a house with only two couples and one young person. The church was housed at H1730 in Esikhawini for about three Sundays. After that in a classroom we found in Thambolini Primary School which we occupied for three Sundays, It was like Zechariah (4:10 New King James Version (NKJV)) was written specifically for us at the time.
“ For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see. The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
It was then that the members appealed that we find a name and register. The Church Board all fell for Rhema, since it was the one whose teachings we were espousing.
After we approached Rhema Bible Church, the following week and we became Rhema Zululand, this was in 1982.
Establishing this Church Board, in terms of the Rhema Constitution, later IFCC constitution, fulfilled the safety aspect for the church. “For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:6 New King James Version (NKJV)). It was these kinds of interactions with Rhema Randburg that strengthened Rhema Zululand.
As years progressed, after much prayer and seeking the face of the Lord, we felt led to be called Ebenezer Family Church International and the foundational scripture was I Samuel 7: 12, “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.’’
It was in in 1982 in Soweto that a German Evangelist, Reinhardt Bonnke announced that he was going to hold a crusade at Esikhawini.
We, as the new church, got an opportunity to work together with more established churches. We were required to field ushers, counsellors and intercessors for the crusade. We fielded almost all our membership and we received free training, guidance and exposure to the bigger things.
It was during that same crusade that Pastor Ray McCauley said he was standing looking behind the shopping Complex. He then saw a fountain of water and people coming in and out in large numbers carrying Bibles. He told us that it was then that the Holy Spirit told him that it was our church.
The vision is for an appointed time and when the time was right, and that is why today we present to you.