His People Johannesburg

[philiprosenthal]

His People Johannesburg was founded at Wits University by Dorian Wrigley, an engineering graduate who had formerly been with the Cape Town church. Initially it operated as the student wing of another Johannesburg church. Later Bruce Weyers, a young pastor from Rhema provided leadership. At the same time a Maranatha church existed on Wits campus under the leadership of Bill Bennot (an American Maranatha Missionary). The two churches got on well and when Maranatha dispanded, decided to merge. Bill Bennot became the senior pastor and Bruce Weyers the junior pastor. Bill also became vice president of His People Ministries and the new merged church took on the name 'His People'. Eventually, Bruce left the Jo-burg church to join the staff of the Cape Town church. A few years ago, Bill left to go back to the USA, where he has been performing some kind of oversight function to the African churches - although his exact status is unclear. The church is now in the care of Roger Pearce, the senior pastor.

In the early years, I heard reports of revival work of God through the church, especially on Wits campus, but in recent years, some sad stories that are much similar to those posted elsewhere on this website about Marantha. I am close personal friends with many of the leaders of this church so it is sad for me to say this, but I hope the church will steer back more towards its original true revival heritage.

[formermaranathapastor]

I knew Bill and Connie Bennot well when they were in the SW in the early 80s. Phil-- were they different that the US leaders in that they were more "relaxed" or do you think they were the same.???

[40days40years]

fmp back in the old days my opinion was that Connie is traditional hardcore Maranatha with all that entails. Bill Bennot is a dichotomy and pulls off what most could not, casual yet still hardcore and sold out to the system. Bill Bennot is one of the more annointed ones to come out of Maranatha. Just my opinion ofcourse.

[lc_20]

I remember Bill as a guest speaker. He was very Charasmatic, high energy. He would break a sweat as if he was running a marathon while he preached. He did seem as compulsive as the others maranatha/msi/en leaders. When he broke a sweat and someone offered him a cloth... he took the time in the pulpit to make sure it was clean. Funny how these faith healers were so afraid of germs. Honestly, I don't remember his message being any different from what I was already hearing in msi/en: it was about sacrificing and building the kindom like most other messages. I think, a lot of times, overseas ministers would come back to the US as guest speakers to raise money. So, their message was almost always the same. God was moving mightily overseas with miracles like raising the dead... miracles we weren't seeing in the US. So, we should give money to their ministries to sew a seed into it and receive the blessings from it.

[philiprosenthal]

There is a separate thread on Bill Bennot at:
http://www.factnet.org/discus/messages/3/21844.html?1150525020
Shall we try keep this thread focused on discussing HP Johannesburg. With regard to 'formermaranthapastor's question about whether they were more relaxed - Bill was the only American to have any significant influence on the South African side of the movement prior to Paul Daniel's resignation in 2003 - so I can't really compare.

[bill_mack]

Philip,

What, if any, teaching did His People Johannesburg have on cults, sect, Roman Catholicism, etc.?

--Bill

[philiprosenthal]

Bill. I only visited HP Johannesburg a few times, but I understand the teaching was very similar to the Cape Town church as the Bible School etc is the same. There was a bit of teaching on contemporary error, with for example on how William Branham went off the rails as a result of hero-worship of his followers. All very true and accurate. Pity the top leaders didn't take this lesson of the risks of hero-worship to heart.

I don't personally have a problem with 99% of the formal teaching of His People. The problem has been with unbiblical practices which are informally taught and modelled by senior leaders and are in direct contradication to what is taught. It is hypocrisy - not heresy that this the problem.

[philiprosenthal]

His People Jo-burg offical web site
http://www.hispeoplejoburg.org/

[speakword2004]

I am a former member of His People Johannesburg. I started attending the campus church in 1992 and resigned membership in January 2004.

My contact details are:

Jason Coates
work telephone: +27 11 477-2186
home telephone: +27 11 673-7006
cellphone: +27 82 567-7161}
email: jasoncoates@worldonline.co.za
SKYPE HANDLE: jasoncoatesxxx

[youngnmighty]

geez...to believe i used to think connie and bill were these 'amazing people of god' to put in christianese.

connie always went on about the highway of holiness.

she is 'prophetic'. its funny, when you're young you're kind of in awe of these people.

now i just seem them as a lucky american couple who were fortunate to find HP when marantha fell apart.