ABOUT US

FIRST LOVE GENERATION is co-led by Pastors Pieter and Tilla van Tonder. And it is their earnest desire is to see all people come into the full knowledge and understanding of God. This passion has resulted in the birth of an out-of-the-box culture, a culture that creates an atmosphere where each individual may come and encounter the presence of God in their own intimate and real way. You will therefore see that we highly value supernatural acts, acts such as healings, prophecy, signs, wonders and miracles during our services. One of the unique cultural characteristics of FIRST LOVE GENERATION is an abundance of love and joy. As a church family we understand that we are called to walk as Jesus did and to love unconditionally. We are wholeheartedly pursuing revival and the great awakening promised to the church, city and nation.

THE BIRTH

During 2006 the pastors and their Home Group received clear instruction from God to leave the mainstream church. Here they had been committed members for decades. But they had to walk away from what was known to them and just wait on the Lord. This was difficult… but unbeknown to them the seed for FIRST LOVE GENERATION was sown through their obedience. After a few months of waiting and seeking God, He instructed them to start a church. In January 2007 they were joined by another pastoral couple and started a house church on their property. A journey of 9 years followed in the ministry. This served as the pregnancy period (9) for the ultimate ministry which God had been planning all along.

On 18 April 2015 the leadership received the following prophetic Word… “God is about to do something so NOT normal in the body of Christ, so non-religious and so out-of-the-box... And yóú will be part of it.” Then 24 January 2016 eventually dawned. After many months of intersession, prayer, persecution and the pain that goes with it, the birthing took place. FIRST LOVE GENERATION was planted – exactly 9 years since the planting of the “preparation” ministry had taken place.

Two key scriptures were received to celebrate the birth of the new church. These promised a new season filled with excitement and revival.

Habakkuk 1:5 “Look around you replied the Lord, among the nations and see! And be astonished! Astounded! For I am putting into effect a work in your days that you would not believe it, if it were told you.” (AMPC adapted)

Isaiah 43:18 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past..." (NIV)

THE PASTORS

Both Pieter and Tilla van Tonder grew up serving God in mainstream churches. However they were quite oblivious to the level of intimacy and relationship possible with God the Father, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit.

In 2001 they were catapulted into an unimaginable journey with God . Tilla fell terribly ill, facing a near-death experience. A period of intense vulnerability and heartache followed as Tilla was rushed in and out of the ICU fighting for her life, whilst being bedridden for months on end. As Pieter was seeking and crying to God - various encounters and Damascus experiences followed. Eventually a life-altering assignment was handed down...

"I AM have called you both to ministry."

From there, God simply took the lead and a period of intense training and spiritual growth followed.

Both Pieter & Tilla are ordained pastors and studied at Rosebank Bible College (ZA) and Team Impact University (USA). Both have lectured at Team Impact for approximately 5 years, while Pieter also acted as Dean of the Bible College during this period.

In 2006 Pieter & Tilla's faith and obedience were severely tested, when God directed them to build a church on their tennis court. Today visitors can enjoy the comfort of a spacious air-conditioned auditorium, various lecture rooms and a fully equipped dining area, as part of an attractive multi-level sanctuary.

Pieter & Tilla hearts are to see the Body of Christ healed, set free and equipped to walk in the fullness that is available in Him. This resulted in them not only heading up the Elijah House Johannesburg School of Ministry, but they also sit on the board of Elijah House Africa.

5 FOUNDATIONAL BLOCKS

PRAYER

1

An intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit and God the Father

PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD

2

The true gospel of Jesus Christ. Undiluted truth of the Word - believing like children

3 TRUE WORSHIP

A call to put your own interests second and bow before the Lord Rev 4:4

4 REACHING THE LOST

Matt 28:19-20

Matt 10:7-8

EQUIPPING OF THE SAINTS

5

Ephesians 4:11-14