For God,
For Each Other,
For the World
Our mission
To make true disciples of Jesus Christ among all nations; to equip them for ministry in reconciliation; and to guide them to spiritual maturity and sanctification.
We are unashamedly Pentecostal, and we affirm the Confession of Faith of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa.
For God
We want to be a Spirit-filled congregation of devoted disciples who keep growing spiritually — never arriving, always moving forward.
That means staying humble in how we serve one another, and taking seriously the calling God has placed on this congregation for this part of Pretoria.
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Worship in the auditorium
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Fellowship after the service
For Each Other
We want to be a community that reflects God's love back to one another — where people feel genuinely welcomed, safe, and embraced across every difference.
Nobody grows on their own. We encourage each other towards spiritual maturity, and we carry what is heavy together.
For the World
We are a congregation with a missionary heart, serving the wider community through ministries that actually make a difference where we are.
We proclaim the Gospel and affirm Jesus Christ as the only Way, Truth and Life.
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Outreach in the community
Our story
Fifty years on the same corner, under the same wooden cross.
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Founded in Silverton
The congregation begins through the work of Pastor Buddy Annandale and Pastor André du Toit.
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The building is dedicated
The doors open on the building this congregation still gathers in today.
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The name Houtkruis
During Pastor Koos van der Merwe's time here, the congregation takes its name from a hymn he wrote — the wooden cross.
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Still on this corner
A Pentecostal family in Pretoria East, welcoming a new generation through the same doors.
The emblem
At the centre of our emblem is the cross — because at the centre of everything we believe is God's grace.
The cross stands for the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through which the relationship between God and people is restored. It is not decoration. It is the whole point, and it is why this congregation carries the name it does.
What we believe
We affirm the Confession of Faith of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa. In short:
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One God, three Persons
Father, Son and Holy Spirit — one God, eternally existing in three Persons.
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Jesus Christ
Saviour of the world and the Head of the Church, crucified, risen and returning.
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The Bible
The Word of God, written by people under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
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Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Received by believers, with speaking in tongues as the initial evidence.
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Baptism & communion
Believer's baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper shared together.
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Christ's return
We believe in the return of Jesus Christ and the final judgement.
Our leadership
The people you will meet, and who you can talk to.
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Name
Pastor
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Name
Role
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Role
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Role
Designer's note: names, roles, photos and short bios are outstanding from the church office.
Part of the AFM of South Africa
Houtkruis is a congregation of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa — a Pentecostal denomination with congregations across the country.