Address: 71172 Sinaba Street, Daveyton, Benoni, 1507
Contact: +27 11 426 2997
Email: pa@olfc.co.za
In the early 70’s Apostle I.N Sithole came to Durban with Pastor Peter Linda, and he then started preaching in Durban Umlazi. They acquired a tent which they pitched in the back yard of Mr & Mrs Hlengwa’s home, in the E Section of Umlazi.
The Hlengwa family approached Reverend Shembe and painted the picture of what was happening at the backyard of their home.
At the time Bishop Botwana became involved in the ministry. There were young men of prominence who were very active, amongst others:
Themba Mthethwa, Themba Mbambo,
Archibold Buthelezi, Sthembiso Cele, Anderson Mpanza etc.
The division started when Bishop Botwana was ordained as Pastor. The rest of the youth approached Apostles Sithole that they wanted to work under his leadership, not under Bishop Botwana. Apostle appointed Themba Mthethwa as local Pastor send Themba Mbambo as assistant Pastor. Mr Ntuli and Mr Dlamini approached the Apostle to get the name of the church. Thus, the OLFC was born.
In 1987, they started gathering at the Lutheran Church, Umlazi H Section, service starting at 14:00. Thereafter they moved to Nazareth church, Umlazi C Section. The negotiations with the municipality ‘’Emaweleni’’ commenced looking for a site of our own. In 1994 they acquired land in Umlazi W Section. They pitched huge tent there, and all moved to the new place.
In 1995, the local Pastor, Themba Mthethwa announced that he was changing to Oasis Umlazi fellowship thus breaking away from OLFC. Pastor Themba Mbambo remained with the original OLFC under Apostle I.N Sithole. The following Sunday Pastor Mbambo with a few brethren gathered together for prayer at Sipho Shabane’s House. Umlazi, N Section.
In the year 2000 Pastor Mbambo decided to be on his own under a new name. He moved out and those following the Apostle moved to Skulu Sithole’s place also E Section. From Skulu’s Place, Moved to Manzolwandle Primary School. At the Time the Apostle had deployed Pastor Thomas Radebe to look after Ulmazi assembly.
In 2001, moved to the industrial area, W Section next to the bakery. In 2002 Pastor Thomas went back to Johannesburg and Apostle appointed Pastor Bhekani Zuma as the local Pastor. Subsequently pastor Zuma joint the bible school in Daveyton and Pastor Radebe had to come back to Umlazi.
In 2004 the Church moved to V Section industrial area. In 2009 Pastor Thomas Radebe also decided to be on his own. Mrs Sithole took over the Umlazi assembly. The church is now at A Section next to Mbalasi primary school. Pastor Khanyalami Godfrey Mtshali has the responsibility of taking the Umlazi branch to the next level.