Category Archives: Updates

Coffey Family November 2015 Prayer Letter

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Praise the Lord, we had 4 Baptized last week and will have 1 more  baptized tomorrow.   We just completed the construction of our baptistry and are happy to put it to use.  We are starting to gain traction in the area of faithful people making the right steps in their Christian life.  As our core group is faithfully attending services and discipleship classes, real growth is taking place at New Life Baptist.   

Josh and Meagan Sullivan have been here for the last 6 month’s as interns working with our teens, and also going through language school.  They left this week to start full time deputation to come back to South Africa as missionaries.  Pray for them as the work to get back.  We are praying the Lord will bring us many more young families to help reach the people of South Africa.  The opportunities here are wide open.  Maybe you would consider coming to help. 

December begins summer holidays where many people go back to their homeland for a month or so.  Our Bible Institute will be put on hold until January, but we will use this time to really invest in the young people that won’t be traveling.  We pray, that as we begin, the summer with our teen camp, many of these young people will make life changing decisions that we can build upon during the summer months. 

Prayer Request

  • The Sullivan Family as they raise support to come back to South Africa
  • New Church Plant in Soweto
  • Teen Camp (Dec. 7-11)

More Highlights

  • Pastor Tom Hatley from Fellowship Baptist in Maryville, Tn, visited this month with his daughter and another member from their church.  Pastor Hatley has been a great friend in the ministry.  He was a great encouragement during his time here.
  • Pastors Austin Gardner & Robert Canfield from my home church visited this month, along with my mission’s Director Jeff Bush.  They were a help challenging our people and all the preachers to be men and women of the Book.

Needs 

  • $1550 for youth camp.  Three families will be trying to raise this amount to cover the cost of our very first teen camp here in Port Elizabeth.  (120 campers approx.)
  • $10,000 to start Soweto Baptist Church.  We have a small building but are already in need of more space.  The group that will leave from New Life to start the church will already fill up that space.

Coffey Family October 2015 Prayer Letter

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Prayer Request

  • More laborers for Southern Africa
  • New Church Plant in Soweto
  • Language learning
  • Youth Conference at Madiba (Oct 5-10)

As I sat with three teenagers at my home this week during a discipleship lesson, I was reminded about the priority of our ministry here in South Africa.  I’m excited about the people who were saved over the past few weeks at New Life Baptist Church.  I’m excited we have people in attendance that’s not just my family and Pastor Sipho’s family.  But the one thing that excites me the most is being able to sit around a table with some young people who seem interested in learning more about God’s word. 

Lisakhanya and Abongile, both 15 years old, were saved this past month.  Mvumelwa, who is 16 and also leads the music of the church, was  also there.  As they are learning the books of the New Testament this week and how to say Romans 3:10 & Romans 3:23 by memory, I see the future of a stronger church planting ministry in South Africa. 

I know investing in young guys is what it takes to build a ministry that will last.  Pray for our team as we seek to win and train more young men for the Gospel ministry.  Currently, I’m able to meet with around 10 young people who have showed interest in learning more of the Bible and of the ministry.

Needs 

  • $1550 for youth camp.  Three families will be trying to raise this amount to cover the cost of our very first teen camp here in Port Elizabeth.  (120 campers approx.)
  • $10,000 to help with the building for Soweto Baptist Church which will be started in December, Lord willing.  20 people who have been faithful to New Life will be going with my cousin Jeremy to start this church. 

More Highlights

  • 8 Saved at New Life this month
  • My wife Amy is now teaching two discipleship classes a week in Xhosa.
  • My sons are pretty happy about finding a baseball league here close to our house.  Luke is especially happy to have baseball back.
  • 8 Saved during open air service yesterday

October 2015 Update

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1st Annual Bay Baptist Youth Camp

Youth Camp: Our first youth camp is December 6-12. The cost to take 120 teens to camp is going to be $4650 ($38.75 per camper); which includes their food, camp facilities, and transport. Praise the Lord, we have had $200 given so far. We are planning to charge each camper R150 ($12) for the week. Fundraisers and work days will begin this weekend for the teens to help with their expenses. We are still needing to raise $3,010.00. If you would be interested in helping with this please send any money to P.O. Box 519 Braselton, GA 30517 (Att. Jeremy Hall/Youth Camp). Thanks so much for your consideration and for your prayers for this event.

Soweto Baptist Church

Church Building: Bekah and I are going to start our first church in South Africa, Soweto Baptist Church. We are needing $12,900 for the construction of a building (normally around $18,000+), if we are able to take advantage of the current exchange rate. We are blessed to not have to start from scratch. We already have land and two small rooms on that land, which will be connected by the new building, and serve as class rooms. The building will be able to seat around 120 people (1000 sq. ft.).

The Lord has already blessed our efforts in Soweto as we have been evangelizing and training many young men and women in the area. More than a dozen people have been saved and are ready to get baptized. Currently, we continue to transport around 20 people weekly to worship with us at a church started by my cousin, Mark Coffey, and Sipho Bonga in another area. We believe God will fill this building to capacity with new believers by the this time next year. Please pray with us that God would supply these funds while the rates are favorable (any donation should be labeled Jeremy Hall/Soweto Building Fund).

Other Announcements and Prayer Requests:

  • Prayer works! One of the guys I asked you to pray for last month was saved last week, Zolani. And, as I expected, several others dropped their guard and made professions as well; 7 young men in total. Please remember them in your prayers; Ntiska, Aphelele, Athini, Soli, Khanyiso, and Sibusiso. I am meeting with these guys (and about 5 others) several times a week, outside of church services, studying the scriptures. God is raising up a good group of guys who we fully expect to be used for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
  • Youth Conference Oct. 5-9, at Madiba Bay Baptist Church
  • We have several good friends coming over for a visit; Pastor Tom Hatley with Fellowship Baptist Church will be here Nov. 3 -12. Also Pastor Austin Gardner, Bro. Jeff Bush, and Bro. Robert Canfield from Vision Baptist Church will be with us Nov. 11-18. If you or your church are interested in taking a missions trip please feel free to contact me.
  • November is going to be busy. We are moving! Only about 3 miles down the road. Pray this process goes smoothly.

We are extremely grateful that the Lord allows us to do what we do. We hope this letter allows you to see a little of what your investment is accomplishing. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated and you are prayed for often.

Sincerely,

Jeremy and Rebekah Hall

Update 8/19

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Prayer request’s

– Our Sunday School class
– Our young men in discipleship
– to book meetings
– Cultural adaptation
– Language learning
– Youth on Fridays

My family and I are so blessed to be here in South Africa with amazing families to help train us. My wife and I continually see the benefits of our internship and are so amazed that God would allow us to have this opportunity. We are so thankful for the ones who pray for and support us in our mission.

Pastor Sipho and I are still meeting with out young men. These boys have been faithful and we are now meeting on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Pastor Sipho has been one of my main ministry partners. He has been a great help with me learning the language as well as the culture.

A new ministry opportunity has come up. Pastor Mark and Pastor Sipho are working on a plan for a possible church plant in Kwadwesi-extension. Please pray for them to have God’s wisdom. The area shows much promise as we already have people from that area wanting a church to go to.

We only have 13 weeks left here in South Africa. Less than 100 days. Please pray for us to use every bit of time we have left wisely. Our desire is to soak up all the experience and information possible while we are here. We already feel so much more prepared to live in SA.

Thank you!

update July 1-11

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God has done a great work at New Life Baptist Church. The Builders are finishing up with a few things on the church. The church now has a sidewalk, the basement is being worked on and the Sunday school rooms are closed off.

Pastor Sipho and I are working with the teens in Kwadewsi. We had a high of 30 in our Youth Night last Friday and 12 professions of faith were made. God knows more than we do how much of a need is here in Port Elizabeth. Please pray for us as we go and try to disciple these young people who have made professions. It was exciting to see an increase in our Sunday School class where We had 13 young people.

We have had nearly 2 weeks off from language school because of working to get our visas as well as a VBS at Wells Baptist Church. Meagan was the team captain for the iingusha (lambs) and I was the team captain of the iingoyama (lions). God blessed and we had an average of 90 Tuesday-Thursday. The kids received points thru-ought the week for memorizing scripture and well as good behavior. Sadly, at the end of the week team iingusha defeated iingoyama by only 15 points. Consequently as the captain of the losing team I had to be pied in the face. You can see this on our Facebook page.

Meagan and I are excited about our sons first birthday this month. Our children have acclimated very well here and we are excited about them experiencing a new culture, language, and way of life here in SA.

Prayer Request:
– We get out visas excepted.
– Young men to disciple.
– Growth of New Life Baptist Church.
– More Laborers to be sent to South Africa.

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Coffey Family July 2015 Prayer Letter

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Prayer Request

  • The start of Bay Baptist College
  • More laborers
  • VBS this coming week
  • Language learning
  • Plans for ministry expansion in the next few months

God has blessed New Life Baptist Church.  Our best Sunday this past month we saw three people (one older lady and two teens) come forward and put their faith in Christ.  The following service all three of those people were back in church.  The week before that Sunday we had a high attendance in our Friday youth meeting with 25 teens.  Josh and Meagan Sullivan, our six month interns, have been a big help in the teen meetings since they arrived at the first of June.  We are already looking forward to them being here as full time missionaries.   

Wells Youth Meeting - 1

With best weeks also comes the not so best as far as church attendance.  Usually here in South Africa the not so best weeks are during Holiday time, the time students are out of school for winter break.  Although this is a usually a low time for attendance in all our churches, it’s a great time for extra evangelistic events and mentoring time with our young preachers in training.  This past week our pastors held a week long Youth Meeting (pictured above) at Wells Estate Baptist Church were they saw 5 people make professions of faith.  Also this coming week we will have a children’s VBS type program from Tuesday through Friday.  One of young guys, Yanga Gentzu, will be to gain some good ministry experience as he is preaching every day. 

More Highlights

  • Hannah Peabody will be leaving this week after finishing up her 1-month internship.
  • Amy and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary on June 24.  We’re actually doing more of the celebrating part next week hopefully.
  • Emilee, my oldest daughter, turned 13

Needs 

  • We praise the Lord that all the financing has come in to finish phase 1 at New Life Baptist Church and for the Pastor’s apartment at Madiba Bay Baptist Church.  We are so grateful for those that helped with both of these projects. 
  • Please pray that the Lord would direct us in the right area to buy property for our future training center.
  • Baptistry for New Life- $350

Update June 14-21 New Website

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We have a new website!

We will no longer be using www.sullivansinsouthafrica.weebly.com. We can now be found at projectsouthafrica.com.

Please forgive me for not posting in a while. With the new update to the website it took us awhile to get ready to post. Much thanks goes to Trent Cornell for setting up our new site!

Pastor Sipho and I have started a youth night which occurs every Friday night. It is an hour-long and we will play games and fellowship for half an hour and then I will preach for half an hour. The kids really seemed to enjoy it the first week and we had about 10. This past Friday the Lord blessed and we had 25 kids from the township come! I am preaching on “The Whats of Christianity” This past week I taught on “What is a Christian?” and I preached the gospel. There were 3 teens who had questions about salvation and three people made professions this past Sunday.   Pastor Sipho will preach this week.

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at New Life Baptist Church. This is the church we will be attending and serving in for this internship period and I am the youth pastor. Please also pray for Wells Baptist Church , which is in the Wells township and Madiba Bay Baptist Church, which is in the Kwazakheli Township.

There is nothing better in this World than to serve God. It is our reasonable service and i cant think of anything else I would rather do with my life.

Please help us pray for:

– That we can get our visas extended

– We can continue to progress in language school.

– Salvation in our youth class

Update from the Sullivans

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Busy, busy, busy!

In our two short weeks here, we have had a lot going on! First and foremost, we know for us to have any successful ministry here, we must speak to people’s hearts. In order to speak to their hearts, we MUST learn their language.  With that being said, the majority of our time goes into language school.

On an exciting note, We have been given the opportunity to  start a youth class at New Life Baptist Church. We had our fist service this past Sunday, and were thrilled with  10 in attendance! We look to grow this class through “youth nights,” every Friday, and Sunday school.

We have finally got moved all the way into our home and its nice to finally have our own vehicle to drive around. Driving here is difficult,  we are getting accustomed to driving on the opposite side of the road.

I got the privilege  to preach at New Life this past week. God has allowed us many opportunities to serve him and we are undeserving but thankful for the chance to serve our Saviour. It is our reasonable service.

Please help us pray for:
– Salvation for the lost in SA
– A young man to train
– Our new Youth class
– Language Learning
– Preparation for deputation.

Coffey Family May 2015 Prayer Letter

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Our first pastors retreat in the little town of Addo was a great success.  We had a wonderful time with our team of missionaries and pastors.  The classes were a big help in encouraging everyone to keep their eye on the mark.  It’s amazing how easily distracted one can get when doing the  Lord’s work. 

This week, Missionary Randy Stirewalt from Kenya was able to visit and teach several classes for our Bible institute.  Brother Stirewalt has served in Kenya for over 38 years and has been involved in starting over 260 churches in Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan.  We have been blessed to glean from his vast experience in ministry.  He has been a tremendous help in the plans of our Bible college, and will be helping as we setup the struture and curriculum. 

Please pray for the Josh Sullivan Family who arrives this week for a 6 month internship.  As they train for the field on the field, we pray God uses them in a mighty way during their time here in South Africa.

We pray God brings more young people just like the Sullivan’s here to South Africa for training.  I’m thankful to be a part of a team who has a burden to help young people to find their place in world evangelism. 

Prayer Request

  • The start of Bay Baptist College
  • More laborers
  • Pastor Sipho and his family as we work together at New Life Baptist Church.
  • Language learning
  • Plans for ministry expansion in the next few months

More Highlights

  • Akeme Ubom, pre-med student from North Ga University, visited this month and was a great blessing to all our families and churches. 
  • 4 teems came to church and made professions after Akeme preached at Tamsanqa High School
  • Hannah Peabody from Fellowship Baptist in Maryville, Ga arrives June 2nd for a one month internship

Needs 

  • $1300 to finish the electric work for the pastor house at Madiba Bay Baptist Church
  • $1000 to finish the plumbing at Madiba as well

Pray for Lungisa High School

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Sipho and I had the privilege to speak to the students at Lungisa High School this past week.  Lungisa High School is a public high school very close to our church.  We now have an open door to come and spend time with the students during their lunch break each week.  This is a great opportunity for us to be able to impact many young people with the truth of the Gospel.