Looking back on 2025, I’m amazed at the breadth and depth of what God has done through The Message South Africa. This year wasn’t defined by a single moment but by a collection of powerful highlights that together tell a story of transformation and hope.
One of the most significant impacts came through our work in Citrusdal, where we reached 3,000 young people across 10 schools. These engagements included girls and boys events, prayer gatherings, Friday night sessions, and a community outreach—each one creating space for young people to encounter Jesus and discover their purpose.
Leadership development remained a cornerstone of our mission. Our Youth Leadership Conference brought together 200 leaders and equipped 27 more through focused training. Seeing these leaders rise up with confidence and vision was a reminder that the future of our communities is bright.
Bloom continued to grow as a movement of empowerment. Across three major events in Citrusdal and Cape Town, we reached 320 young girls and women, and even extended our reach to Uganda in December. These gatherings were more than events—they were life-changing experiences where identity and worth were restored.
The Higher Tour was another standout moment. Partnering with Church of the Holy Spirit, we reached 1,000 young people, hosted 200 attendees, and celebrated 50 salvations. In prisons, the Gospel broke through barriers during our Higher Prison Outreach, which reached 204 inmates and saw over 90 salvations.
Job Journey also made a lasting impact, graduating 17 young men behind bars and training nine more in November. Gangstar Café continued to serve as a hub of hope and hospitality, partnering with 32 churches, hosting 61 events, and reaching over 18,000 people.
Holiday Clubs brought joy and creativity to communities—Parkwood welcomed 45 children daily, while Nyanga reached 80 young people each day.
Respect Me delivered eight projects this year, engaging 2,000 young people in vital conversations about identity and self-worth.
Message Sundays extended our reach into 13 South African churches and five in the UK, sharing the Gospel with more than 2,400 people combined. And to cap off the year, KineticIV celebrated 10 years of mission and released a new EP—a powerful reminder of how music continues to inspire and transform lives. They hosted an end-of-year youth concert where over 20 young people gave their lives to Christ.
Beyond these highlights, there were countless stories: salvations at Alpha hosted by Gangstar Café, Mandela Day feeding in Parkwood, Bloom in the DRC, and weekly radio sessions on CCFM reaching thousands. Our hubs in Parkwood, Nyanga, and Jozi East remained vibrant centres of creativity and community.
2025 was a year of breakthrough and momentum. Every salvation, every leader trained, every young person reached is a testimony of God’s faithfulness. As we step into 2026, my prayer is that we keep dreaming big, keep pushing boundaries, and keep our eyes fixed on Him.
All our love,
Shaun Pretorius
