Our roadmap
- Our roadmap
- Week 1: What is the gospel?
- Week 2: Who are we?
- Week 3: What do we believe?
- Week 4: What do we do?
- Week 5: What is baptism?
- Next step: Fill in a member application form
- Membership interview: Interview questions
We want you to know upfront all about us. And so we tell you about our mission, vision, and values. And our leaders, ministries, and missionaries.
Our mission
Reach Benoni with the gospel, and equip all for life.
We are deeply committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ—His death and resurrection—with our community. And we do that in our worship services, outreach efforts, and personal relationships (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16).
But our mission doesn’t stop there. We also believe in equipping every member of our church family for life. This involves providing opportunities for spiritual growth, discipleship, and practical support so that each person can live out their faith in every aspect of their lives. From Bible studies and discipleship programs to counselling, we are dedicated to helping everyone navigate the challenges of life (Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 1:28-29).
And we do this reaching and equipping in Benoni. We’re a local church, that loves our city. We’re for Benoni.
Our vision
We’re dreaming of planting a conservative, evangelical Baptist church with our healthy DNA in Benoni.
Jesus has a vision for His Church. A vision is a preferable future. A forward-looking declaration of what could be. A north star. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. The church belongs to Jesus. He owns Her. And He will build it. That’s His vision. And He will protect it. That’s His promise. Our job is not to invent a vision, but to align ourselves with His.
Now the Lord is clearly growing His church at Benoni Baptist Church. Not a Sunday goes by without visitors. And more and more are choosing to stay. God’s grace is on display in real time. Growth requires planning. We’re inevitably going to run out of space. Run out of seating. Run out of parking. Last Saturday, our leaders met to discuss our future. We agreed that, in step with Jesus’ vision, we should prepare to plant a conservative, evangelical Baptist church with our healthy DNA in Benoni. We have identified four building blocks. People. Finances. A shepherd. A venue. We believe we will be ready when Sunday attendance reaches 320. When finances increase by 40%. When the Lord provides a qualified shepherd who shares our DNA. And when a suitable venue is secured.
Here is how you can partner with us. Pray. Join our evening prayer times and ask the Lord to go before us. Partner. Your faithful giving fuels ministry here and beyond. Participate. Come to our quarterly general meeting on Sunday, 15 February, after the morning service, and stand with us as we step toward planting a church in Benoni. I am excited. I trust you are too.
Our values
At Benoni Baptist Church we focus on four core values: transformational teaching, exalting worship, loving fellowship, missional living.
- Transformational Teaching: Teaching that goes beyond information to inspire spiritual growth, life change, and the application of biblical truths (2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:22; Hebrews 4:12).
- Exalting Worship: Worship that glorifies God, magnifies His name, and exalts His greatness above all else (Psalm 95:1-2; John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1).
- Loving Fellowship: A community marked by genuine love, acceptance, and support, where members care for and encourage one another in their spiritual journey (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:11-12; Acts 2:44-47).
- Missional Living: Sharing the Gospel with urgency and purpose, integrating evangelistic efforts into the church’s mission to engage with the world and fulfil the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15).
Our elders
A plurality of qualified men called elders lead Benoni Baptist Church.
Mark Penrith joined Benoni Baptist Church as senior pastor in May 2024. He has been married to Liezl since October 2000, and they have three children, Kaitlyn, Kathryn, and Thomas. Mark served as the senior pastor at Crystal Park Baptist Church Benoni for 12 years, before spending a few years as an associate pastor in Pretoria. Since 1 May 2024.
Andre Broodryk joined Benoni Baptist Church as senior pastor in March 2010. He retired as senior pastor in April 2024, and was recognised as an elder in September 2024. He is married to Cheryl, and between them they have a number of children and grandchildren. Andre graduated from Cape Town Baptist Seminary, and has served a number of churches as full time pastor from 1986. Since 29 September 2024.
David Somerset has served as a deacon and elder at Benoni Baptist Church. He has been married to Barbara since August 1982, and they have two children, Simon, and Melissa. David serves as the church treasurer, and a worship leader. He leads two midweek Bible studies. Since 28 April 2024.
What we teach about elders
The focal point of local church leadership is the office of elders (Philippians 1:2). The pattern of Scripture is that a plurality of these Spirit-enabled men rule local churches (Titus 1:5; James 5:14).
The Bible uses three interchangeable words to refer to the men who serve in this capacity—Elder, overseer and pastor (Acts 20; 1 Peter 5:1-2). The different terms show ministerial function rather than differing levels of authority.
Each member is to take part in the church’s life we recognise that God gifts His Church with elders. They serve by managing and caretaking (1 Timothy 3:5), overseeing (Acts 20:28), ordaining (1 Timothy 4:4). Service includes ruling, teaching and preaching (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:2). As well as exhorting, refuting (Titus 1:9), determining church policy (Acts 15:22). As shepherds, they set an example for all to follow (1 Peter 5:1-3).
Elders are to be men who are above reproach. This blamelessness must extend to his marital, social, business and spiritual life. In this way, he is to pursue and exemplify truth and godliness (1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-8).
Our deacons
Qualified men and women called deacons serve Benoni Baptist Church.
What we teach about deacons
Jesus Christ exemplified servant leadership (Mark 10:45). Christianity is a call to a life of humble service (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Some believers have the spiritual gift of service (Romans 12:7). Recognised deacons serve in a local church (Philippians 1:1-2).
Those who would serve are to live dignified lives (1 Timothy 3:8). They are to be spiritually mature (1 Timothy 3:9-10) and have stable families (1 Timothy 3:11-12).
Both men and women may serve in this capacity (1 Timothy 3:11). In the text, the word translated ‘likewise’ lists elders, male and female deacons (1 Timothy 3:1, 8, 11). The word translated wives (KJV and NIV), given the context, should translate as woman (NASB).
Scripture does not prescribe the function of the deacon. As such, there is much freedom given to the local church about how they ought to operate. At Benoni Baptist Church they serve the congregation for a fixed term of service to God’s glory.
Our staff
Men and woman called or appointed to full-time or part-time positions at Benoni Baptist Church.
Our services
Our Sunday gathering is a God-orchestrated affair. Each element of our service is regulated by God’s Word. Scripture gives specific guidelines for conducting corporate worship services and we do not add to those guidelines. Our motivation is to glorify of God and make much of Jesus.
We assemble to:
- Read the Word (Acts 15:21; 1 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3).
- Preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2).
- Pray the Word (Matthew 21:13).
- Sing the Word (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; James 5:13).
- See in the ordinances of the Lord’s table and baptism, we see the Word (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38–39; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Colossians 2:11–12).
Our missionaries
Jesus commanded His disciples to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. It is our intention to continue that mandate.
- Benoni is our Jerusalem. We’re dreaming of planting a conservative, evangelical Baptist church with our healthy DNA in Benoni.
- Dunnottar is our Judea and Samaria. We’re partnering with Dunnottar Baptist Church in a revitalisation effort in that city.
- Our missionaries on foreign shores are our ends of earth:
- Paul Richardson (Durban).
- The Moller’s (Malawi).
- The Webb’s (New Zealand).
- The Funnell’s (The Word For The World).
Our denomination
Each local Baptist church is autonomous. Which means there is no governing body over Benoni Baptist Church. We do take part in freewill associations. And there are distinctives making Benoni Baptist Church identifiable as a Baptist church.
We take part in the following freewill associations:
- We are a member church of the Baptist Northern Association.
- We are a member church of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa.
- We are listed on the directory of The Master’s Fellowship.
The distinctives we hold to:
- The direct lordship of Christ.
- The autonomy of the local church.
- Believers baptism.
- The congregation principle.
- The priesthood of all believers.
- The principle of religious liberty.
- The principle of separation of church and state.
This week we want you to know upfront all about us. And so we told you about our mission, vision, and values. And our leaders, ministries, and missionaries.