Leadership

In Bizweni Church, we believe that a plurality of elders in a local church reflects a biblical model of shared leadership, where a group of spiritually mature men, rather than a single individual, is entrusted with the responsibility of shepherding the congregation. This structure promotes collective wisdom, accountability, and balance, as each elder brings unique gifts and perspectives, contributing to the overall health and guidance of the church. In our leadership, decisions are made through prayerful discernment and collaboration, fostering unity and humility in one another. This model also ensures that the pastoral care, teaching, and oversight of the church are not dependent on one person, but shared among a team, providing greater stability and continuity in the life of the church. By following this approach, the local church embodies the New Testament vision of leadership that mirrors Christ’s servant-hearted example.

Image of church leadership

Our History

Bizweni Church was founded in 1986 by Kobus and Hazel Swart under its original name, ‘Hottentots Holland Covenant Community.’ In time, the church moved to the Bizweni area of Somerset West, offering an ideal location for expanding ministry efforts. With the support of ministry partners, the land—featuring the original farm’s Manor House, workshops, and stables—was purchased with the vision of transforming it into a hub for ministry activities. Upon learning that the name ‘Bizweni’ means ‘called to a meeting,’ the decision was made to adopt the name, changing from ‘Hottentots Holland Covenant Community’ to ‘Bizweni Community Church.’ In 1989, the church held its first service in the newly renovated farm workshop. Kobus Swart faithfully served as lead pastor for 35 years before stepping down from full-time ministry in 2024.

During this time, Bizweni Church focused on establishing self-sustaining ministries to serve the local community’s needs. By God’s grace, the church founded the Bizweni Pre-Primary and Daycare Centre in 1990, followed by the Bizweni Centre for Children with Disabilities in 1998. Continuing its commitment to education, Bizweni Church later launched Bizweni Primary School in 2016.

Statement of Faith

  • That the Holy Scriptures, comprising the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, are the complete and final written record of God’s revelation to man and are in the entirety the very Word of God. They are powerful, with their own inherent authority and are the final rule and authority in all matters of faith and conduct. The Holy Scriptures by men who were supernaturally moved by the Holy Spirit in such a way that their human writing was divinely inspired. This inspiration of the Holy Spirit extends equally to all parts; the thoughts and ideas in words which are themselves inspired. The Holy Scriptures are wholly reliable, trustworthy, and true, without error. They have been, and will be, preserved by the Holy Spirit throughout the ages.
  • That these Holy Scriptures contain the revelation of the one triune God, eternally manifested in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  • That Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is both fully God and fully man.
  • That the Lord Jesus Christ died for the atonement of our sins, a substitutionary sacrifice, according to the Scriptures, and that all who believe in Him are justified by faith on the ground of His shed blood.
  • In the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus, His ascension into heaven and His present life as our High Priest and Advocate, and His personal return at the second coming.
  • In the resurrection of both the just and the unjust, the eternal blessedness of the redeemed and eternal banishment of those who have rejected the offer of salvation.
  • That the one true Church is the whole company of those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit; that the local church is mandated to offer both spiritual and material aid to the sick, the poor and the needy of our local community.
  • That God has ordained marriage between a man and a woman. Therefore, we believe in a heterosexual relationship between a natural man and a natural woman within the lawful confines of matrimony. Adherence to this stated principle of sexual behavior is an inherent requirement for membership at Bizweni Church.
  • That the Lord Jesus Christ appointed two ordinances – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion) – to be observed as acts of obedience and as a perpetual witness to the cardinal facts of the Christian faith; that Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water as a confession of identification with Christ in burial and resurrection and that the Lord’s Supper is the partaking of bread and wine as symbolical of the Savior’s broken body and shed blood, in remembrance of His sacrificial death till He come.

Our Partners