What you need to know about Evans being proposed as a pastoral assistant

Part of the privilege of pastoral ministry is visitation. Sitting in living rooms. And hospital rooms. Hearing how people are doing. Praying with them. Encouraging them. Over the past two years more than a hundred members have been added to our number. Our congregation has grown. And my pastoral capacity to care well is outstretched. We need more hands.

The executive of Benoni Baptist Church has recommended we appoint a pastoral assistant alongside me. The role involves 8 hours of visitation each week. Their focus will be members rather than visitors. This will be a part-time appointment. And the cost will be incorporated into the 2027 budget.

This is not an assistant pastor role. That role involves a congregation recognising a man as an elder. Calling them, and setting them apart to preach and shepherd. A pastoral assistant is a helper on staff. Appointed to a specific task. We have appointed pastoral assistants in the past. Natasha Bonow served from 2012-2016. Gavin Simms in 2016. And Lizelle Rowsell from 2017-2020.

The executive of Benoni Baptist Church has given notice of our intention to appoint Evans Odhiambo as a pastoral assistant. This role will begin in December 2026. He will continue his evangelism responsibilities and his studies alongside this work. Evans’ visa allows him to work 20 hours a week. His appointment will be discussed and voted on at a special general meeting on Sunday, 14 June, after the morning service.

Many of you know Evans already. He has been serving as a pastoral intern, engaged in evangelism and involved in many aspects of ministry. He is in his second year of a Bachelor of Theology at Christ Seminary. Originally from Kenya, Evans is the firstborn of five children. During his first week of university orientation in 2016, the Lord Jesus saved him. He testifies that he was blind to his sin. After his conversion, he could see both his guilt before God and his need for the Saviour. Evans is courting Chido, a staff member at Central Baptist Church in Pretoria. Lord willing, they will marry later this year.

We meet on Sunday, 14 June, after the morning service. All members are urged to attend and vote. Before that Sunday, three requests. Pray for Evans. Pray for our church. And prepare your heart to vote. We vote not as a formality, but as an act of faith in the Lord who is building His church.