Straatwerk

As anywhere in South Africa it is dangerous to be out on the streets late at night. We know that we have a calling towards the people that frequent the city late at night, which is why we go there. We have a very strict code of conduct and we are very responsible in our way of reaching out. For the past 40 years there were very little negative incidents.

We always work in groups, for safety reasons, but also for prayer and other support. Ladies don't work alone, especially at night-time.

We never go into the nightclubs – it serves no purpose. The music etc. is overwhelming. Normally we get the people when they enter the club and when they come out.

When we connect with a stranger it is important to say something memorable.  "We want to show you God's love in a practical way."  We surprise strangers with a small gift.

Some people are very open to talk to us about Jesus Christ. Some are totally not positive. We try to be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit to guide us in all the conversations and to help us to be sensitive for every different situation.

Rom 2:3 'God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life change.'

We want to create a tilt in non-yet Christians' lives. A tilt starts the process of redefining who God is in a darkened heart. Our goal is to present a strategy for sharing the message of Jesus' love in a way that will change people's lives. We serve the people with anything – from cup cakes, to lollipops, to toothpaste and soap and Easter eggs and wooden crosses. The sky’s the limit in using creative things to introduce people to Jesus' love.

Prayer is the most important part of the ministry! We certainly have prayer groups on the streets and prayer groups at home. We also have a group of people that pray for the city in organised ways. There is the Gomer-Prayer Project, where people can adopt ladies involved in prostitution and their children to pray for.

Yes. Through the years we have built relationships with the ladies and that makes it easier to talk to them on the streets. We also visit them in their hotel rooms and apartments.

Many times the children are not staying with their mothers. We obtain the addresses from the mothers and visit the children where they are staying at that point in time.

We have different projects called OPHELP-projects, which help people to earn cash-in-hand.

80% of our income comes from individuals that want to see a positive change in our city. We also get support from local congregations and other Christian groups.

There are many ways to get involved at STRAATWERK. Come and help us with the preparations for the different outreaches, pray with us, help us with various administrative duties. Let us know what gifts the Lord has given you – we are excited to see how you can serve at STRAATWERK.