Stephen & Gwen Geise
Serving Hope International Missions as Missionaries in South Africa
Visit personal web site: http://geiseblog.blogspot.com
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A word from Stephen & Gwen Geise
For about two years Stephen has been co-pastoring the Manyatseng church in the Ladybrand area with the express purpose of training and equipping national leaders to take responsibility for the local church. He has and continues to teach a variety of discipleship/leadership training classes. What is so rewarding about this ministry is to see different individuals growing spiritually and taking responsibility in the church and community. In the home, Gwen is involved in finance administration, dietary and nutrition management as well as serving as classroom instructor to their three boys.
About Stephen & Gwen Geise
Stephen and Gwen met at Penn View Bible Institute. Both graduated in 1999 and were married the same year. For a few years after that they were involved in short term mission work in Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico and Ukraine. In 2005 they were accepted by Hope International Missions and arrived in South Africa in May 2006 to begin their work.
News & Updates
2010-08-28 news
Update from the Stephen Geise family
Greetings from Sunny South Africa.
We praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness to us throughout this year. Though this year has had it's share of difficulties we are encouraged as we meditate on the fact that God is good and He is always in control.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
We are all doing well and the work of God is going forward. Recently we publicly recognized four men as the spiritual leaders in our churches here in South Africa. We held a special service and near the end of the service had a time of prayer and laid our hands on them, commissioning them to the work of God. It was a blessed occasion, and we praise God for the developments and spiritual growth we see in many lives.
In two weeks we will have been here in South Africa another two years. We are in the process of making plans to return to the States near the end of November. We plan to begin having services in January, so if you would like for us to share with your church what God has been doing in our lives and in the work here please send us an e-mail soon. We will begin deputation in the Midwest in January and return to the East in February or March. We look forward to hearing from you.
Please keep us in your prayers as there is much to do in the next three months.
God bless you all.
Stephen, Gwen, Isaac, Micah, Titus and Shoshanah Geise
2010-08-27 praise
Ordination and licensing service
- I, Steve, am feeling much better after being diagnosed with stomach ulcers. We praise the Lord for His touch.
- We praise God for a wonderful ordination and licensing service on Saturday August 21st. This was the first time in the work here in South Africa that pastors have been licensed.
2010-07-24 prayer
Stephen Geise
We just wanted to let you know that it appears that I, Steve, have a stomach ulcer. We've had a pretty rough week. I've had two basically sleepless nights with a lot of intense pain. We have been to the hospital in Bloem and they have run a number of tests all of which came back clear. The last test is scheduled for Monday the 26th. The specialist I saw is pretty sure that I have an ulcer but he will do an endoscopy on Monday to verify that. At the moment the only thing I can eat is yogurt, papaya, and bananas. We appreciate your prayers for us during this turbulent time.
2010-06-26 praise
Our children
- We praise the Lord for our little daughter, Shoshanah Marie. She is doing well.
- We praise the Lord for protecting Isaac two different time in the past few weeks. Once he received a concussion after falling off his bike and the next week he was hit right beside the eye with a stone. (Thankfully no permanent damage was done.)
2010-06-26 prayer
Pastor's family
- We urgently need prayer for a situation in the family of one of our pastors. The problem could have long reaching negative affects in the mission.
- Pray for us as we juggle all the responsibilities of the work, beginning to prepare to return to the U.S. in about six months and homeschooling.
2010-06-23 news
Stephen & Gwen Geise - June newsletter
Read it here.
2010-05-14 news
Africa
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2)."
One of the main reasons we are here in South Africa is because of this verse. Along with the Great Commission in Matthew, this verse is an injunction to train men in the ways of God. Pastor Thabang is one of those men whom God has allowed me the privilege of teaching. There have been others before me who have invested in Bro. Thabang's life, but I'm thankful for the privilege I've had to work so closely with him since returning to South Africa. It is truly amazing to watch the spiritual growth in the life of an individual who, not too many years back, was living in heathenism and spiritual darkness. The Gospel truly liberates and brings light.
2010-05-07 news
New Little Missionary!
Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Shoshanah Marie Geise was born on May 5th at 8:32 am South African time. She weighed 6 lbs. 9oz and was 16in long.
Gwen and Shoshanah are both doing well. Thank you for your prayers for a safe delivery. Photo shows Shoshanah at 1 day old.
2010-03-27 news
Geise Newsletter
The latest newsletter from Stephen & Gwen Geise is here.
2010-01-19 praise
New house, new opportunities
- We praise the Lord for helping us to find a house out of town where we pay much less rent then what we were paying in Ladybrand.
- We praise that Lord that we are now able to study Sesotho twice a week.
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We are also very thankful for a group of serious-minded Christians in our Manyatseng church who are taking responsibility helping the church to go forward.
2010-01-19 prayer
Brother Malimabe, Pastor Thabang, Makamohelo
- Please pray for Bro. Malimabe as he will soon begin his last year at a teacher's training college.
- Help us pray that God will work out all the details for Bro. Malimabe to come back and teach at Hope Christian Academy when he finishes school.
- Pray for Pastor Thabang who is shouldering more of the church work in the Ladybrand area.
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Pray for Makamohelo, a wonderful Christian lady, whom God is using in our Manyatseng church. Pray that she will remain faithful and that she will continue to be an example to the younger women.
2009-10-09 prayer
Pastor Thabang and Brother Sam
Please help us to pray for Pastor Thabang and Bro. Sam and their families. Their younger sister, Mamotloang, who attended our church in Manyatseng passed away on Wednesday because of AIDs. Mamotloang seemed to have a good testimony and we trust she is with the Lord. Unsaved family members are making life VERY difficult for Thabang and Sam. Please pray that God will help them to stay strong spiritually with a good attitude in the midst of all the trouble.
2009-09-09 praise
The Lord's faithfulness
- Praise the Lord that Steve was not hurt terribly when a young bull knocked him over and landed on top of him.
- Praise the Lord for a new Bible study that Bro. Sam has started.
- Praise the Lord for the continual growth in the lives of Pastor Thabang and his family.
2009-09-09 prayer
Youth, Hope Christian Academy, housing
- Pray for the class that Steve teaches on Loving God. Around six people attend regularly.
- Pray for the youth of our church. Since the beginning of the year, six or more have discontinued attending.
- Pray for permanent teachers for Hope Christian Academy.
- Pray concerning housing for our family. Our contract ends in November at our current location. Pray God will make it clear to us what to do.
Contact Stephen & Gwen Geise