AFM INTERNATIONAL
The Apostolic Faith Mission International is a body of family and fellowship of all National AFM churches worldwide. The organization promotes fellowship, networking and partnerships between member-churches enabling them to reach out to the unreached. The body also aims at fostering unity between and amongst all the national AFM churches internationally based on the common Confession of Faith by organizing spiritual conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings between the member churches.
Mission:
From South Africa, the AFM grew into many countries on the African continent within the first 50 years. Today it has grown to Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. These international churches of the AFM are linked up through the AFM International to which member countries affiliate.
AFM International equips the leaders of the member-churches to establish spirit filled Pentecostal churches. The organisation promotes fellowship, networking and partnerships between member-churches enabling them to reach out to the unreached.
The Lord Jesus Christ said: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few, therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest (Matthew 9:37-38)”.
Impact:
On the African continent the AFM exists in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Theological training colleges are established in Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Zimbabwe – with some of these countries also involved with social development projects.
In Asia the AFM is in Fiji, India and Pakistan. Lately, it has also been established in Australia. In Europe, the AFM is established in Belgium, Ireland, Russia and the United Kingdom. In North America the AFM is established in Dallas and the United States of America. New efforts are made to establish the AFM in Brazil.
The AFM has grown to become a truly global church with still greater opportunities to reach out to the unreached areas of the world. To continue with its mission, the AFM International needs your prayers, support, commitment and direct involvement. Currently the greatest challenge is the training of pastors and leaders specifically in Angola, DRC, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Pakistan and Nigeria.
Milestones:
History shows that there were 3 waves of missions from South Africa which gave birth to these international churches. The first wave involved the first generation of indigenous lay converts from Southern African countries who came to work in the mines and cities of South Africa. They received the Gospel, returned to their home countries and planted AFM churches.
The second wave consisted of formal missions by the then “white” South Africans into almost all the southern African and east Africa regions. This wave was interrupted by the anti-colonial and anti-apartheid wars in the sixties and seventies.
The third wave of the 1990’s up to date is characterised by the closure of the central missions department of the AFM of South Africa and the growth of new forms of missions where assemblies in South Africa undertake missions in their capacity as an assembly. “Good Tidings to India” is the best example of this model of missions.
Triennially the Apostolic Faith Mission International Council meets to elect Leadership for The AFM International, Sisters Fellowship, Youth and Children’s Ministries etc. During the last AFM International Conference in Gaborone, Botswana in August 2022 the following AFM International leaders were duly elected.
AFM International OFFICE BEARERS
Rev George Mahlobo (President)
Pastor George Mahlobo was born on the 22nd of April 1954 in Vukuzakhe (Volksrust) in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. He is the first-born child of the late Eslinah and the late Elliot Mahlobo. His siblings are two sisters, Gabi and Thabile and the other two (a brother and a sister) who are late. He is married to Jacobeth Mabele Mahlobo (Mapohosha) on the 14th of July 1978.
He attended primary school at Vukuzakhe (Volksrust) and high school at Seme Secondary School in Daggakraal near Amersfoort and at the Vryheid High School in Bhekuzulu near Vryheid. He obtained his diploma in theology from the Central Bible College in 1978 and his Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of South Africa in 1984.
He was licensed as Pastor on March 11 1978 and was subsequently ordained on March 31 1979. He served as an ordained AFM of SA (AFM) Pastor since 1979 at the following AFM congregations: Machadodorp (1978-1980), Mabopane (1980-1985), Phuthaditjhaba (1985-1999); Doxa Deo Inner City Campus as part of the Ministry team (1999-2004) and at the Hilltop Restoration Centre in Soshanguve since 2004 to date.
He served as the Principal of the AFM of SA Theological Institute (1994-1996). Ministry Portfolios within the AFM of SA in which he also served include National Youth Leader (1980-1988), Secretary of the Committee for Unity (1986-1988), Secretary of the Presbytery (1988-1990), Secretary of the AFM Liaison Committee (1990-1996); General Secretary of the former AFM African Section (1988-1990), General Secretary of the AFM Composite Division (1990-1996), the General Secretary of the AFM of SA (1996 to 2016), Secretary of the AFM International since 2013 to date and President of the AFM of SA from 2016 to 2021.
Other portfolios outside the AFM of SA include serving as: the Director at Impact Community Christian Radio station since 1998 to date, the representative of The AFM of SA at the Johannesburg Regional Board of the South African Bible Society (1996 to 2016) and a member of the Security Services Christian Advisory Board (which is a body that deals with the policy framework of Chaplaincies in the Department of Correctional Services, South African National Defence Force and the South African Police Services) from 1996-2016. From 2013 to 2017 he served as the co-Chair of the Empowered21 Southern Africa sub-Region and from 2019 to 2020 he served as a member of the Empowered21 Africa Cabinet. He also served as a member of the World Pentecostal Fellowship Advisory Committee from 2016 to 2021. He is also serving as a member of the Pentecostal World Fellowship to the nation of South Africa.
He has a group of Pastors from the AFM and outside of the AFM that he mentors regularly. His ministry has taken him to the five continents of the world and to multiple countries. He keeps himself informed through current media news from the press, TV, and the internet. His hobbies include traditional and Christian Gospel music. He enjoys watching soccer. He has a particular interest in wild game. It is for this reason that he frequently visits game reserves in South Africa and outside of South Africa.
Rev Jobe Repent Koosimile (Deputy President)
Rev Koosimile was born on the 20th of April 1972 in Molepolole, Kweneng District of Botswana. He is the third born child of Mr Boitswarelo and Mrs Semakaleng Koosimile, with four sisters and three brothers. On the 6th of December 1997 he married Monei Rachel Koosimile nee Sereetsi and they are blessed with 2 children: a boy Obakeng Victor and a girl Katlego Joy.
He has been in the ministry since 1995 and was ordained as a Pastor in August 1996. As an ordained Pastor he served at the following AFM Assemblies in Botswana: Bobonong 1995-1998, Mochudi 1999-2006, Serowe 2008-2012 and Thamaga from 2012 to date. In January 2007 he was assigned to missionary work in Ireland until April 2008, this was because of his leadership skills and dedication to work.
Rev Koosimile holds a Bachelor of Theology from Tripp Bible Institute (USA) and a Bachelor of Theological Studies from Vision International University (USA). He has also done a three-year Ministerial Diploma at the Central Bible College in South Africa. In 1991 Reverend Jobe completed his Cambridge Overseas Secondary Certificate (COSC) in his home village of Molepolole where he grew up, and did his lower academic level.
He has been serving as the AFM President of Botswana since 2013 to date, overseeing 102 assemblies in the country. He is the Vice President of the AFMI. With regards to AFM Botswana, he also served on the following Ministerial Portfolios: Vice President (2001-2006), Re-Elected Vice President (2009-2013), National Youth leader in AFM Botswana (1997-2002) and was then elected in 2013 as President.
Other Portfolios he served on outside of The AFM Botswana include President of Botswana Christian Aids Intervention Programs – BOCAIP (2015-2017) and re-elected for a new term (2019-2021) as President. He became the Vice President of the Evangelical Fellowship Botswana – EFB (2015-2017) and was later elected as President (2017-2019). EFB is an organisation that oversees and coordinates the evangelical Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in Botswana. He also served as the Chairperson of: the Mochudi Prison Visiting Committee, the Kgatleng District Council Child Welfare Committee, the Minister’s Fraternal Mochudi and the Minister’s Fraternal Serowe. Lastly, in 2005 he was licensed as a Marriage Officer and still holds the licence to date.
His ministry and passion to serve compels him to work closely with Non-Governmental organisations, Dikgosi (Chiefs), Village District Committees, the elderly and young people. Hence, he facilitated the Adolescence Sexual Reproduction & Health Workshops and worked with youth groups such as the Youth For Christ in Botswana, Scripture Union (SU) and the Unashamed Movement.
Dr. H.J. Weideman (Secretary General)
Henri Weideman was born in Kimberley on the 15th of August 1962. He matriculated at Diamantveld High School after which he began his studies in Theology at the University of Johannesburg (then RAU) in 1981. Whilst studying at the AFM Theological College in Aucklandpark, he also completed a Bth degree at UNISA in 1986. During this time he worked at the Helen Joseph (then J.G.Strijdom) Academic Hospital to pay for his studies.
He completed a Bth-Hon degree in Practical Theology in 1988. During the time of compulsory military service, he served in the Chaplaincy for two years. He did his practical training at Rondebosch East Assembly and was elected as regional Sunday School treasurer of the then Southern Cape Region.
Henri was ordained in 1986 after which he served in the Bellville assembly in Cape Town as Youth Pastor. In 1989 he was called to Goodwood Assembly as Pastor of their Children and Youth department. He was elected on the Western Cape Regional Youth Committee as a member and later as leader and also served on the National Youth Council.
In 1997 Bellville Assembly called him back as Presiding Pastor. During this time, he was elected as a committee member of the Western Cape Regional Leaders Forum. He completed a M.A. degree at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on the role of Pastors in the development of leaders for ministries in local assemblies in 2004. During this time Bellville Assembly reconstructed a furniture warehouse store into a 1300-seater auditorium.
In 2010 he completed a doctorate (D Litt et Phil) at UJ on strategies to support assembly leaders to address the demands of the current times in ministry. During that time, he was elected as leader of the Missio Dei AFM Network. Henri has a passion for the continuous development of Pastors and leaders. In 2008-2009 he participated in coaching training.
He was appointed as National Coordinator of the Pastoral Continuous Development (PCD) initiative of the AFM in 2013. During 2015 he completed training in Mediation. Whilst being in the Bellville Assembly he was involved in community-based organisations and served on the ward committee of sub council 6 in Cape Town, as well as vice chair of the Governing Board of RAMOT (a centre for the treatment of substance dependency).
Henri was elected as the General Secretary of the AFM of SA in 2016 and as Secretary General of the AFM International in Nairobi in 2019. He was elected as President of the AFM of SA on 16 November 2021.
Henri believes in exercise and a healthy lifestyle and has an interest in gardening, growing miniature trees and doing stained-glass work. He is married to Margaret since 1986 and they have a daughter Inge who is married to Kirk Swart. Henri and Margaret lives in Pretoria, Irene.
Rev Josh Chigorimbo (Treasurer General)
Reverend Josh was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) on the 27th of February 1961. He is the sixth of 12 siblings born to the late Pastor T. S. Chigorimbo and Mrs Rachel Chigorimbo. With his wife Mrs Sibongile Chigorimbo, they make their home in West Sussex, England (UK).
Pastor Josh Chigorimbo was educated and trained in the following schools and colleges: Gillingham Primary School (Harare), Mufakose High School (Harare), Ellis Robins High School (Harare), and Hillside Teachers College (Bulawayo) where he qualified as a High School Mathematics teacher in 1983. Other studies he has undertaken include C.I.S. (Part B), B.Ed. (Mathematics), TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language, UK), and the John Maxwell Team Leadership Certification (2018).
Prior to heeding the call to full time ministry in 2005, Pastor Josh served in various leadership roles over a period from 1984 to 2004. These include Youth Leader, Provincial Youth Secretary, Scripture Union Advisor, Deputy Headmaster, Worship Leader, Children’s Ministry, Deacon, Elder, Church Secretary, Church Treasurer and Assembly Leader, among others.
He holds a Bachelor of Theology degree from Auckland Park Theological Seminary, South Africa (2008), a B. A. Honours (Theological Studies) degree from the University of Johannesburg (2009) and a Master of Arts (Biblical Studies) degree from the University of Johannesburg (2012). He was ordained as an AFM of SA Pastor in 2009.
Since March 2010, when he relocated to the United Kingdom, Pastor Josh has been serving as Senior Pastor of the AFM Kingdom Worship Centre, an assembly based in Worthing, West Sussex. He has also served as Southern Regional Overseer for the past 11 years. In addition, he has served as General Secretary of the AFM (UK) church for 6 years (post ordination) and 3 years pre-ordination. He now serves as Deputy President of the AFM (UK) and Treasurer General of The AFM International (AFMI). He is also a published author, certified coach, trainer and minister with a passion to inspire holistic growth—in personal, leadership and spiritual dimensions.