2025 April Newsletter

Celebrating Easter this month filled us with a profound sense of joy and gratitude! The Easter season is a cornerstone of our faith, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of our hope and salvation.

We are reminded of the words in Romans 6:4 "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

This verse encapsulates the transformative power of Easter, inviting us to embrace the new life that Christ offers. Let us therefore renew our commitment to living out His teachings with love and compassion.

Celebrating 25 Years

As Live Connection celebrates its 25th anniversary, we reflect on a remarkable journey of faith, dedication, and community transformation. Founded in 2000 by Pastor Paul and Renée Ravesteyn, Live Connection has grown into a global mission impacting lives by partnering with local pastors to provide financial support and leadership training.

The seeds of Live Connection were sown in 1988 when Paul Ravesteyn, then a young builder, travelled through Central Africa with Mobile Mission Maintenance. Witnessing the struggles of local pastors who lacked the resources to support their families and communities, Paul felt a deep conviction to help. This passion was shared by his wife, Renée, who had grown up in rural Zambia as the daughter of missionaries. The organisation started in Africa but soon expanded its reach to the Philippines and Indonesia. Today, Live Connection supports over 245 pastors in 15 countries, providing them with the tools they need to lead their churches and transform their communities.

Come celebrate with us!

All partners are warmly invited to join us on the 31st of May in celebrating our 25th Live Connection anniversary and the countless lives that have been touched by your faithful support.

When: Saturday, 31 May 2025 at 5pm

Where: 9 Laurie Place, Belrose

What: Homemade wood-fire pizzas and dessert provided. Please BYO drinks.

RSVP: Email by 25 May 2025 to admin@liveconnection.org

It will also be a special night to honour our administrator, Anne Ferrar, who has served the vision of Live Connection for an amazing 16 years! Anne has decided to step down from her role with Live Connection and we are delighted to celebrate Anne and her husband John with a party honouring Anne’s inspiring devotion, determination and dedication to serving God in her role.

Pastor Paul had this to say about Anne:

“The quality of a person can be measured by their ability to weather the storms of life and still stay in love with Jesus - healthy, positive, joyous, and keen to serve our Lord with all their heart, soul and mind. That’s our Anne!

Africa may have taken her wealth in this world, but it didn’t stop her love for Africa and the African people. She faithfully embraced her role for 16 years in dedicated service to the vision of Live Connection. Anne has been the spine of Live Connection in so many ways.

I want to shout out to the world and say thank you so much Anne! You have helped to keep our vision going and I believe you have positioned us to grow beyond our wildest dreams. We know you are only a phone call away - and you are still 100 percent part of this incredible journey.”

On the day of our 25 th anniversary, you will have an opportunity to bless Anne with a love gift, should you so wish.

A note from Anne:

“Dear Live Connection Partners

I have no idea how many times I’ve written to you all, starting with this greeting, and it feels surreal to know that I’m probably writing this for the last time. I had thought to be carrying on for a lot longer, but after my recent accident and after 16 years’ service, and now at 81, the Lord has shown me that the time has come.

Am I happy about it? Not really.

Will I miss it, the pastors and also all of you? Absolutely.

Does this mean I won’t be involved anymore? Not at all – Live Connection has been my passion for so long, so I am graduating to ‘advisory Grandmother status’.

I do pray that you will continue to partner with this amazing vision and lend your full support to the new administrator as she steps into the role.

I do hope that you will be able to join us and look forward to seeing you on the 31st of May as we celebrate Live Connection’s 25th Birthday. It will be a fun time, not only of looking back and sharing the many highlights we have shared and enjoyed along the way, but looking forward to all that God has in store for Live Connection.

As Always, Love and Blessings, Anne”

Let us embrace the promise of new beginnings that Easter brings. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 , we are reminded: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

May you find inspiration and strength in this promise. Thank you for being a cherished partner in transformation and empowerment.

Blessings,

The Live Connection Team