Rev. Neethling (1997 - 2000)

 

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Rev. Johann Neethling, or "Coach" Johann as he preferred to be called, became pastor at Mackey Chapel in June 1997 and, together with his wife, Anne ( a Pediatric ICU nurse at Medical Center Hospital), served the church with great joy and pride till May 2000 when they were appointed to serve with the church in Estancia, NM.

In February 1999, the church assisted Coach Johann to make a trip back to his home country, South Africa, to visit his ailing father whom he had not seen since 1987. His father passed in October 1999.

On that trip back home to a changed South Africa, Pastor Johann visited Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela had been imprisoned as a political prisoner from 1964. The metal tray now used to hold the communion elements to share with the sick and homebound, is a replica of the plate used by prisoners on the Island.

Pastor Johann on the ferry to Robben Island. Table Mountain and Cape Town in the background The inner courtyard of the Robben Island Prison. Nelson Mandela's cell was in the block in the background An outside enclosure where prisoners could sit
Mandela's prison cell Part of a quote by Nelson Mandela from the Rivonia trial, 1964 Pastor Johann and Rev. John Tooke, in the Cape Town church he once pastored
The beginnings of a new Methodist witness among the squatters of Mashupumalela - the work of the church Coach Johann had pastored  1980-82. A familiar location to all Americans and a growing attraction to South Africans - one of the first Mickey D's in Cape Town

~ Sala kahle / Stay well ~

 

 

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Last modified: May 14, 2000