As we have announced, Tom and Una Tapping will be coming to RHC at the end of October to help us ordain elders. We see this as a key time in the life of the church, and a great step forward for us as we implement a biblical church leadership structure (You can find out more about our leadership structure by downloading our leadership guide here).
In scripture, we see credible, external godly men were involved in the initial ordaining of elders in new churches (Acts 14.23). This is why we have invited Tom to come and do this for us. They are coming for six weeks so that they can really get to know us as a church and help us at this time. They bring a wealth of experience and will no doubt bless us in many ways.
After completing Bible College, Tom planted a church in Port Elizabeth, South Africa called ‘The Storehouse’. The church thrived under his leadership, and after 11 years, they handed the church over to one of the elders who is still leading the church today. They went on to help lead a church that was floundering in Cape Town called NewGen Church. After four years, and when the church had turned around, they handed it over to Peter Howard Brown, who is presently leading it. They then moved to Perth, Australia to similarly help another church in need. After leading the church (Lifeworx) for eight years, Tom handed the leadership to his son, Mark, who is presently leading the church.
During all this time, they have also been actively involved in ministry outside of their local church, visiting and strengthening churches, and ordaining elders. They have a passion for Asia and have been to Singapore many times.
They are an incredibly relational couple – they want to get to know us over Kopi-O, kaya Toast and runny eggs. They want to sit in our homes, be with our families, and laugh lots.
We are looking forward to having them with us, and want to host them well as a church.
