Hatfield Christian Church

Hatfield Christian Church (HCC) is a charismatic Christian church located in Waterkloof Glen, an eastern suburb of Pretoria. The church is affiliated with The Christian Network (TCN). Hatfield Christian Church is one of the largest churches in Pretoria, with an estimated attendance exceeding 5,000. The senior pastor is Francois van Niekerk, who has pastored the church since 1998, taking over from the late pastor Ed Roebert.
History
1967-2007
Reverend GW Cross from the Central Baptist Church started a meeting in his home in Brooklyn (in Pretoria) in 1903. The meeting moved to Rissik Hall, which later burned down. Property was bought in South Street, Hatfield. In 1932, 23 members formed the official Hatfield Baptist Church with Mr JE Smit, a retired civil servant, as the pastor. He served until 1940. After Reverend Cross died his four sons built a 190-seater church in South Street in memory of their father. The building was completed in 1940. EB Edwards was appointed pastor in 1939 and served the church for 20 years. Reverend Brian Johanson then became the pastor in 1961 for two years.
South Street
In 1963 Ed Roebert became the senior pastor of the Hatfield Baptist Church in South Street. In 1967 attendance grew, and soon the church was bursting its seams. Ed’s wife, Pal, led the worship.
Theatre
With the explosion in attendance it became necessary to move to bigger premises. In May 1974 a movie theatre was hired. Attendance continued to grow, and three services were soon necessary. Often 600 people were packed into the 470-seater hall. Four new couples were added to the pastoral staff. The pastors and deacons numbered 34.
Anderson Street
Soon the church attendance outgrew the cinema and a 600-seater facility was built in Anderson Street, Brooklyn. At the opening in September 1976 the building was packed and large folding doors leading into a hall had to be opened as about 1,700 people streamed in.
The church defined a vision for
*The city - with a three-fold emphasis on cell, congregation and celebration
*The country - eventually about 430 churches networked together as the International Fellowship of Christian Churches (now known as the International Federation of Christian Churches (IFCC)).
The Hatfield Training Centre started in 1980. At this time a book table and tape ministry were established and the Saturday night prayer meetings were packed. The church continued to grow and two morning services and an evening service were held. As these filled up, it became necessary to build again.
The tent
The church elders bought the property of the old Menlo Park drive-in theatre on the outskirts of Pretoria for R350 000. On 14 March 1982 the first meeting on the property was held in a 2500-seater tent nicknamed the 'canvas cathedral'. The tent was cold in the winter and very hot in the summer but the worship services were successful.
New building
Soon building started on the property. On 10 November 1984 the building, seating 4,000 people, was dedicated and many people came from far to celebrate. By now there were 22 pastoral couples appointed, of which seven couples are still serving in the church today.
Ed Roebert died in 1997 on the final day of the hosting of the Global Consultation on World Evangelisation (GCOWE). Francois van Niekerk, who had worked closely with Ed Roebert in the IFCC and in planting the Hatfield North Church, was appointed as the senior pastor.
Some significant developments over the years
* The Hatfield Christian School (HCS) started in January 1985.
* The Hatfield School of Theology was launched. It has trained many for ministry around the world.
* The Church began to broadcast services on television through CTV (Christian Television).
* Impact Radio was launched.
* To accommodate the growing number of people, a gallery seating 1,200 people was added. HCS constructed its own buildings and eventually added a swimming pool and sports fields.
* The Hatfield North and South churches were launched.
* The Christian Network (TCN) was established where like-minded churches can cooperate and work together for kingdom purposes. TCN is linked to networks in other parts of the world.
* A chapel and a function hall were added, followed by a Young People's Facility.
* Many departments have been established, including missions, community ministries and church planting.
* Today the church is overseen by a team of elders led by a Visionary Team, and assisted by a Management Committee.
Successes
* Weekly baptism of new believers.
* Bringing English and Afrikaans people together.
* The dignity of women was restored and both genders work together on the team.
* A multi-generational church. All age groups worship together. Our oldest members started as children and are now in their nineties.
* A multi-cultural church as people from every nation and tribe worship together.
* An emphasis on God as the God over all spheres of life.
Ministries
Community ministries and missionaries
Impact Mobilisation Department (IMD) is the missions department of the Hatfield Christian Church, located in Pretoria, South Africa. The purpose is to fulfill the great commission by making Christ’s last commandment, the first priority.
It endeavors to facilitate, train and equip the church for impacting their community as well as the nations. To create opportunity for the church to experience God’s heart for the Nations, exposing them to what God is doing throughout the world today.
It further endeavors to provide quality support for its missionaries. Instead of being a wallet-sending church, just givers, it sends with a holistic approach.
Hope Centre
Offer specialized ministry and courses that include; counseling, foundation of faith, relationship with God, dealing with addictions, handling trauma, relationships, finance and healing.
Hatfield Children's Homes
Little Angels' Haven and Naledi Children's Home.
Ladies' Ministry (News Girls)
News Girls Online was started to help serve women in all stages of life—young girls, working women, moms with children, married women, single women, and more mature women. It aspires to minister to them holistically—body, soul and spirit. Emails are sent every Monday with 'food for the spirit'.
Children's Ministry (C4G)
Children for God Ministry
Young Adults Ministry (Catalyst)
For young people school and college leavers, up to 35-year-olds.
Youth Ministry (Reverb)
Ministry for high schoolers.
Worship Ministry
Lead and facilitate worship in church services and meetings.

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