Pastor’s last service
A popular Elsies River pastor died on Christmas Day, after suffering a stroke in church while singing his favourite hymn on stage with his wife and daughter.
Dad of five, Petrus Stevenson, 68, was attending a Christmas service on Friday at The Rapha International Pentecostal Ministry Church in Elsies River.
The church, which runs clothing and feeding schemes, has 85 branches across South Africa and in Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia.
Family member Dinielle Smith Dirks says her uncle was singing Let the Lower Lights be Burning when he collapsed.
“He was rushed home and thereafter to hospital where he died,” she says.
“Minutes before he fell ill, he preached about cancelling out death over his church and he cancelled it, he prophesied that he must sing a loflied with his wife Ingrid, she then preached.
“The church then decided to bless him with an offering and after he received the blessing, he fell ill and he needed to leave the church, but the church kept on praying for his recovery while he was being rushed to hospital.
“We went to his home after church where prayers continued, but it was his time to go on Christmas Day.
“He fell ill in the place he loved spending time the most… the church.
“He left home for the hospital and passed away on the way.
“A huge tree has fallen.”
Dinielle says Pastor Stevenson was well-known for laying to rest almost every gangster in Elsies River.
“He never condemned them, he never looked down on them, he was always willing to support their families during the time of bereavement.”
She says it was her uncle’s wish to be embalmed so that his church branches could all get the chance to view his body.
“He wanted to be embalmed so we will grant his wish, his body will be available to drive-through viewing to all those who want to see him and will take place at Rapha Church on Wednesday and Friday, 4pm to 6pm.”
More viewings will be taking place next week.