TESTIMONIES
Hastings & Fundi Longwe
"Sitting under the ministry of Pastor Dale and Lucy transformed and impacted our lives. Our destiny was defined and our leadership was refined. It is not only what they preached in words that impacted us but how they lived and demonstrated the heart of Jesus to us.
Under their leadership we received an impartation to hunger for the heart of God and contend for the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. We learned how to move in the glory and partner with the Holy Spirit in spear heading revival. We received tools for shaking a city and establishing the kingdom of God. We still remember how they threw us to the deep end to hate religion and formalism but rather to contend for the supernatural. We went all out winning souls and praying for impossible situations especially those who were physically challenged. We saw the blind eyes open, the crippled walked, the dumb spoke, and those with chronic diseases were healed. We saw multitudes of souls being saved weekly. The book of Acts was being written before our very own eyes as witnessed Jesus touching us and his own people. I remember praying for this woman who was involved in a car accident. She was in severe pain because her two legs were broken. I prayed for her and instantly she received her healing, she threw away her two crutches and started walking normally without pain whatsoever. Their love and passion for the Holy Spirit birthed a revival that not only affected us students but also people in the surrounding areas. A movement of new leaders, cultured in revival fire and characterized with the supernatural manifestations was launched. And today most of the students who were affected by their ministry are revivalists affecting South Africa and parts of Africa. There was a time where we hit rock bottom and dead end in our marriage, but this couple reached to us with a helping hand of Jesus. They poured out their love and precious time on us and helped us and our marriage to be restored. Our marriage today is an overflowing river irrigating other marriages to the glory of God. Weekly we speak to couples who are going through various challenges in their marriages and we see the hand of God...divorces are cancelled and the marriages are restored!!! Words fail to describe how God uses our past failures and mistakes as message of hope to others out there especially ministers! As we continue in our journey with Jesus, we see a great manifestation of The Holy Spirit and His Love for people with miracles, signs and wonders. Only in Eternity will you see in full measure the fruits of your labour in our lives and you will receive your due crowns! We are forever grateful for your hearts and sacrifices Ps Dale and Lucy. We appreciate and love you so much!!"
Jacques & Charlene Erasmus
My husband, Jacques and I first met Pastors Dale and Lucy when they started up the Bible School here in Port Elizabeth, where we served on the staff together. We were immediately attracted to their huge smiles and friendliness. They are a very REAL couple – never a dull moment when you are around these two!
I have to say that I was blown away by their love for Jesus and their conviction to stay true to the Word of God right from the beginning. Coupled with that I saw a love for people flow from their hearts. We have seen many people healed under their ministry, many set free and given new hope in Jesus. We have seen very shy students break out of their limitations and do amazing miracles for Jesus.
The best testimony you can see from any person is the fruit they leave in the lives of others. For Pastor Dale and Lucy, the fruit is evident. I saw a generation of students rise up - on fire for Jesus. They had such a passion for the lost, and a hunger for the Holy Spirit. No matter how hard student life could be, being stretched and moulded, students were always encouraged to respect and honor their leaders. I have the honor to work with some of those students in the office, and experience their love and respect for others, together with a servant-heart of excellence for the Kingdom work.
Even though we have become close friends in the time they were here, and had TONS of fun together, we still have the greatest respect for them and will always look up to them as examples of the Love of Jesus, and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Even though we were friends, they would never hold back on correcting our thinking or actions when we strayed from the truth, and THAT we will always treasure.
Though they are dearly missed here, we always know that where they are working, they are working hand in hand with Jesus and miracles follow them. The world needs more people like them, and I know that they will raise up generations sold out to the King of Kings!
Thank you for loving us, for caring about us, and for being our friends.
Nomonde Ntloko
I went to WOFBI simply because God told me to go. Peraonally, I had no idea why God specifically wanted me there, however I am so glad I signed up for Bible School in 2014. That's where I became to know Pastor Dale and Pastor Lucy. The time I has with them was quite amazing.
When I arrived at WOFBI in 2014, I was very immature in Christianity. Through Bible school years God helped me to mature and taught me how to be disciplined. Sitting under God's Word daily for 2 full-time years is the greatest blessing I have ever received because, in that environment God's power transformed and changed my life for the better.
The first year of my student life under Ps Dale & Ps Lucy as my Dean's, helped me to reinforce my core Christian beliefs and removed a lot of misunderstanding. I got encouraged, I grew up spiritually and my faith was stretched. The impartation of God's Word that I received from has changed my life forever. Although it was difficult at the beginning of my journey with family, work, business groups, full-time college, but it has been worth the time in the end. 2014 and 2015 were immensely life changing and very enlightening to me. From their teachings, I was able to minister to my family and others especially during challenging times.
Those years really sparked my fire for God and gave me new desires to follow after the Lord and I became equipped with an ability to share the good news of the gospel with others.
Now I know why God wanted me to study at WOFBI, "To know and serve Him better." Now that I know and have experienced God's love, my love for Him increases daily, as does my love for other people. In my Bible school years of study, God also healed me from past wounds, changed my mindset and broke strongholds that were hindering me. I got set free from those things and I am so grateful to God for He has done a good work in me. I now know who am I in Christ, where I am going and what I am to do.
Under the leadership of Ps Dale & Ps Lucy, I got an opportunity to serve in the church as well and eventually found my place on the Body of Christ. By end of my 3yr bible school studies, I was called "Organised" and "Mature", 2 compliments that the "old me" would never have received. God has greatly increase my capacity in terms of service, workload and my knowledge of Him and His Word.
As I have graduated last year a Degree in Ministry, I know that God had called me to leadership, so I am studying further another two years my Doctorate Degree at International Miracle Institute, to strengthen my weaknesses and to allow God to show me how to build my leadership qualities and equip me to fulfill my God-given purpose.
Thank you to Pastor Dale and Pastor Lucy for the solid foundation they have laid for my destined journey to Greatness, for the sacrifice of their lives and time to offer themselves to come and bless South Africa with such an impartation to us who are hungry for God and who want to stay on fire for the World Revival.
Paul & Relebohile Sikundla
It was the year 2010 when my wife and I met at the alter call whilst we both were answering the call of God on our lives to go into ministry at The River Bible Institute Africa under the Leadership of our loving Pastors,Dale and Lucy Van Volkenburg.
Since 2011, our first year at the River Bible Institute, we have grown in leaps and bounds through the teachings, equipping and empowering of General Dale and Mama Lucy.
I remember in a city called Port Alfred here in South Africa, where we hosted a huge community outreach. Even the City Major was so touched at such an impact we had in his City! Souls were saved, sick people were prayed for, and the entire city shaken to the Glory of the Lord!
Pastors Dale and Lucy taught us that Godly character, integrity, as well as faithfulness are important keys one should always strive to uphold and because of them, my wife and I are now full-time Pastors of Overcomers Ministries and we now are teaching other people what were learnt in Bible School under Pastors Dale and Lucy.
You are truly God's Generals, my Pastors and Leaders, and Rele and I spent great years of preparation under your guidance, leadership, mentorship and Ministry.
We'd like to say thank you, Sirs.
We'll keep winning the lost at all cost!!
ITS ALL ABOUT SOULS!!!!
Mpho & Moleboheng Lekgema
"A decision I will never regret in my life is that of attending bible school in year 2012, little did I know what God had prepared for me as I embarked on this journey to set aside 3yrs to seek Him and be equiped for ministry."
"Being at the River Bible Institute, under the leadership of Ps Dale & Lucy as the deans in 1st year, My life will never be the same again, it was at this institute where I was made aware of what the LORD was doing- "Raising a new generation of leaders who would carry His fire and Presence to the ends of the world". The urgency to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ was made more real in me. The call was to know Jesus and to make Him known to the nations."
"Some of the moments I will never forget in bible school were the Nights of Glory meetings, where we would recieve the word, worship through song and would be set up for real manifest encounters with God. His Presence and fire in those meetings were more real than anything else. We were truly in the atmosphere of heaven and these experiences are forever emprinted in my heart..."
"I am ever greatful for the experience at bible school because here was where vision for the future ministry was birthed and on this day, as i write this testimony, it's been two years & 5 mths after bible school, I'm now seeing the vision fulfilled. My wife and I, whom by the way was part of the same institute are pastoring a church in a city called Durban and watching as God remains faithful to his call over our lives."