About Us
"Years before Arise emerged, Geoff Gertzen had been praying about beginning a mercy ministry to vulnerable children"Arise was originally the vision of the pastor of St. Stephen’s Claremont. Years before Arise emerged, Geoff Gertzen had been praying about beginning a mercy ministry to vulnerable children. In 1997, under the leadership of Colleen Lewis, a congregation member from St. Stephen’s, a gospel-centered social action ministry ‘U-turn’ was born. U-turn’s mandate was to care for the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of street people. In 2004, Debbie Burt, a short-term missionary from the UK, came out to Cape Town to work with U-Turn, then based at St. Stephen’s. During her visit, she encountered many toddlers living on the streets with their parents. The trip made an impression on her and she begun to pray about a future work growing out of U-turn to care for the needs of vulnerable children. Debbie returned to the UK, to complete her final year of Bible College and spend a significant part of that year writing about the churches response to HIV/AIDS in South Africa. In January 2005, Debbie was approached by Geoff and Colleen to consider returning to South Africa longer term, to begin a ministry (now Arise) to vulnerable children effected by a vast array of social problems.
"Over time, it was felt that it would be better to base the work out on the Cape Flats, where the number of vulnerable children is significantly higher"Debbie Burt returned to Cape Town in 2005 and made the long-term move to South Africa in February 2006. Over time, it was felt that it would be better to base the work out on the Cape Flats, where the number of vulnerable children is significantly higher. In June 2006, a partnership with St. Thomas Church, Heideveld was formed – a relationship that continues to be of immense value and encouragement to Arise. Kids Clubs were started weekly as a vehicle for proclaiming Christ and building relationships with the community. These form a crucial part of Arise’s work today.
The Arise Family Centre, built on the premises of St. Thomas Church in Heideveld, was opened on 8th March 2010 and forms the hub of the ministry today. The building provides offices for the ever-growing staff compliment and volunteers, as well as space for Arise’s various activities. Arise has been blessed by solid backing not only from St. Stephen’ s church, but many of the CESA churches across the Western Cape. In the words of songwriter Stephen Curtis Chapman ‘this is the great adventure’ – an adventure of faith and testimony to God’s abundant provision.
