Hatfield Christian Church
Encyclopedia
Hatfield Christian Church (HCC) is a charismatic
Charismatic Christianity
Charismatic Christianity is a Christian doctrine that maintains that modern-day believers experience miracles, prophecy, speaking in tongues, and other spiritual gifts as described in of the Bible...

 Christian church located in Waterkloof Glen, an eastern suburb of Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...

. The church is affiliated with The Christian Network (TCN). Hatfield Christian Church is one of the largest churches in Pretoria, with an estimated attendance exceeding 5,000. The senior pastor is Francois van Niekerk, who has pastored the church since 1998, taking over from the late pastor Ed Roebert.

1967-2007 - Celebrating 40 Years of the Infilling of the Holy Spirit

Reverend GW Cross from the Central Baptist Church started a meeting in his home in Brooklyn
Brooklyn, Pretoria
Brooklyn is a suburb of the city of Pretoria, South Africa. It is a well-established area, lying to the east of the city centre, encompassing high-end residential properties and several upmarket mall developments. It borders the University of Pretoria to its north and the suburbs of Groenkloof and...

 in 1903. The meeting moved to Rissik Hall, which later burned down. Property was bought in South Street, Hatfield. In 1932, 23 members formed the official Hatfield Baptist Church with Mr JE Smit, a retired civil servant, as the pastor. He served until 1940. After Reverend Cross died his four sons built a 190-seater church in South Street in memory of their dad. The building was completed in 1940. EB Edwards was appointed pastor in 1939 and served the church for 20 years. Reverend Brian Johanson then became the pastor in 1961 for two years.

South Street

In 1963 Ed Roebert became the senior pastor of the Hatfield Baptist Church in South Street. Pastor Ed and Kevin Doran prayed every morning behind the Union Buildings for the Holy Spirit to change the church. In 1967 the Holy Sprit began filling the members one by one and the attendance grew. The gifts of the Spirit were manifested in the Saturday evening prayer meetings and soon the church was bursting its seams. Ed’s wife, Pal, led the worship which could be heard down the street as people came from near and far to drink from the living water.

Theatre

With the explosion in attendance it became necessary to move to bigger premises. In May 1974 a movie theatre was hired. The Lord added members daily and three services were soon necessary. Often 600 people were packed into the 470-seater hall. These were exciting days and four new couples were added to the pastoral staff. The pastors and deacons numbered 34.

Anderson Street

The church received a promise from the Lord:

This city will bring Me renown, joy, praise and honor, before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it. – Jeremiah 33:9 (NIV)

Soon the church attendance outgrew the cinema and a 600-seater facility was built in Anderson Street, Brooklyn. At the opening in September 1976 the building was packed and large folding doors leading into a hall had to be opened as about 1 700 people streamed in. God gave the church a vision for:

The city – with a three-fold emphasis on cell, congregation and celebration; and
The country – eventually about 430 churches networked together as the International Fellowship of Christian Churches (IFCC).
The Hatfield Training Centre started in 1980. At this time a book table and tape ministry were established and the Saturday night prayer meetings were packed. The church continued to grow and two morning services and an evening service were held. As these filled up, it became necessary to build again.

The Tent

The Lord led the elders to buy the property of the old Menlo Park drive-in theatre on the outskirts of Pretoria for R350 000. On 14 March 1982 the first meeting on the property was held in a 2500-seater tent nicknamed the 'canvas cathedral'. The days in the tent were very blessed – cold in the winter, very hot in the summer but a wonderful time of outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

New Building

I will do a work in your days, which you will not believe, even if you were told. –Habakkuk 1:5

Soon building started on the property. As he was walking across the site, Pastor Ed said to the Lord, ‘This is too big for me!’ The Lord replied, ‘Yes it is, but it is not too big for Me.’ On 10 November 1984 the building, seating 4 000 people, was dedicated to the Lord and many people came from far to celebrate. By now there were 22 pastoral couples appointed of which seven couples are still serving in the church today.

Ed Roebert passed away in 1997 on the final day of the hosting of the Global Consultation on World Evangelisation (GCOWE). Francois van Niekerk who had worked closely with Ed Roebert in the IFCC and in planting the Hatfield North Church, was appointed as the senior pastor. Under his leadership HCC continues to go from strength to strength under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Some significant developments over the years

  • The Hatfield Christian School (HCS) started in January 1985.
  • We began to broadcast services on television through CTV.
  • Impact Radio was launched.
  • To accommodate the growing number of people, a gallery seating 1 200 people was added. HCS constructed its own buildings and eventually added a swimming pool and sports fields.
  • The Hatfield North and South churches were launched.
  • The Christian Network (TCN) was established where like-minded churches can cooperate and work together for kingdom purposes. TCN is linked to networks in other parts of the world.
  • A chapel and a function hall were added, followed by a Young People's Facility.
  • Many departments have been established, including the outward focus of missions, community ministries and church planting.
  • Today the church is overseen by a team of elders led by a Visionary Team, and assisted by a Management Committee.

Various breakthroughs that the Lord brought about in the church

  • The infilling of the Holy Spirit and water baptism of new believers are weekly opportunities;
  • The Lord brought English and Afrikaans people together;
  • The dignity of women was restored and both genders work together on the team;
  • Refreshing through the Holy Spirit;
  • A multi-generational church. All age groups worship together. Our oldest members started as children and are now in their nineties;
  • A multi-cultural church. The Lord has done a miracle as people from every nation and tribe worship together;
  • An emphasis on God as the God over all spheres of life. Our salvation is a full salvation affecting spirit, soul and body and leading to the practical realization of His kingdom purpose.

Community Ministries & Missionaries

Impact Mobilisation Department (IMD) is the missions department of the Hatfield Christian Church, located in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...

, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

. The purpose is to fulfill the great commission by making Christ’s last commandment, the first priority.

It endeavors to facilitate, train and equip the church for impacting their community as well as the nations. To create opportunity for the church to experience God’s heart for the Nations, exposing them to what God is doing throughout the world today.

It further endeavors to provide quality support for our missionaries. Instead of being a wallet-sending church, just givers, it sends with a holistic approach.

Hope Centre

Offer specialized ministry and courses that include; counselling, foundation of faith, relationship with God, dealing with addictions, handling trauma, relationships, finance and healing.

Ladies' Ministry (News Girls)

News Girls Online was started to help serve women in all stages of life – young girls, working women, moms with children, married women, single women, and more mature women. It aspire to minister to them holistically – body, soul and spirit! Emails are sent every Monday with 'food for the spirit'.

Young Adults Ministry (Catalyst)

For young people school and college leavers and up to 35 year olds.

External links

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