This pastor and his wife, who are operating out of metal containers, have created a home away from home for kids left traumatised by gunfire and killings in Lavender Hill.
Last week, 40 children received new shoes.
Pastor Ivan Jones and his wife, Bronwyn, have been serving the community for 13 years after starting their NPO and church, called Revelation Ministries, situated on the Lavender Hill High School grounds.
DISTRIBUTE: Pastor Ivan Jones oppie job. Photo: Jack Lestrade
Bronwyn taught Afrikaans to the Grade 8 and 9 pupils at the school nine years ago and, Tuesday, the couple have dedicated their lives to helping youth affected by gang violence.
They have created a safe space where children can learn, do homework and play, and be spiritually enriched.
The kids are fed meals once a week, and on Thursday, Revelation Ministries received 40 pairs of shoes from Pastor John Doyle in memory of his daughter Kim, who died 10 years ago.
KITTED: New shoes for Lavender Hill children. Photo: Jack Lestrade
“The children received shoes, but they also received prayer,” explains Pastor Ivan.
“This is so they grow up and walk in the way of the Lord.
“One thousand pairs of shoes were donated by Pastor Doyle and his family across the Western Cape since his daughter passed away.”
He says three years ago when three kids were killed near the church, they knew they had to help: “Three children were shot during a drive-by shooting and we thought we need to create a safe place for the children. We started out with 15 children and now we feed between 150 to 200 once a week.”
Bronwyn gives
after-school classes twice a week and says: “I touch on mathematics, reading, English and Afrikaans and social science. I am very passionate about working one on one with a child, rather than rushing the process.”