House of prayer, House of presence, House for people
You’re joining us at an incredible moment, but to truly appreciate where we are now, it’s always essential to reflect on where it all began. Salem Church actually started in a living room as a cell group back in 1992. It later evolved into a church moving between venues, ultimately leading to the purchase of our current building in 2000.
As an emergent Church, led by Pastor Johannes and Renda Viljoen alongside their 2 kids, we are currently expanding our building, as we are believing in God’s plan to be a house of prayer, a house of presence and a house for people in our city! Our purpose is to love the people of Kempton Park and be a place of hope, restoration, and life for anyone who steps into our space. We wholeheartedly believe that God loves Kempton, that He is changing our city and that revival is breaking out in our schools, work places, and homes!
@psjohannesviljoen
"..My house will be a House of Prayer" (Matt. 21:13)
We believe that Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort. Prayer is not just a reactive measure during difficult times, but a proactive and constant source of support in navigating life’s journey. Prayer is who we are and how we stay equipped for all that God has called us to be as a church.
We believe that the presence of God changes everything.
When we acknowledge and invite the presence of God into our lives, it has the power to bring about true transformation. As we seek and cultivate a continuous awareness of God’s presence we recognize it’s potential to bring about meaningful and lasting change in both personal and communal aspects of life.
…whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
We believe that the House of God is for all people. Because God Loves ______, we’ll spend the rest of our lives making others feel less broken. Everyone, regardless of their background, struggles, or imperfections, is welcomed and embraced. For God so loved us – how much more can we love others.
We are servants first. From the parking lot to the stage, everything we do, we do it with passion. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we have a passion for Jesus, passion for His people and passion for His Church
We are aware that our attitude set the atmosphere. Regardless of how we feel, joy is our choice.
We are leaders committed to loving all people. Because God loves _____, we will spend the rest of our lives making more room at the table.
EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE CREATE
We are creatives who believe excellence is always worth the extra effort. We show up on time, fully engaged and prepared. We can't be careless because we do it in Jesus' name so we do it with excellence.
We are the movers and influencers we have been waiting for. With Jesus as our hope and heaven as our home, we're always asking: What's the best that could happen?
HOLY BIBLE
The Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God. It alone is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths. In its original writing, it is inspired, infallible and inerrant (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 16:25-26).
TRINITY
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three are coequal and co-eternal (I John 5:7; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 3:7-11).
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory. (John 1:1,14, 20:28; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 2:5-6; I Timothy 2:5).
VIRGIN BIRTH
Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father, through the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity) in the virgin Mary’s womb; therefore, He is the Son of God (Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:35; Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27-35).
REDEMPTION
Man was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression he fell; his only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Gen. 1:26-31, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-21).
REGENERATION
For anyone to know God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential (John 6:44, 65; Matthew 19:28; Titus 3:5).
SALVATION
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ: His death, burial, and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of our good works or of any human efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16, 3:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Hebrews 9:22).
REPENTANCE
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of our lives and to follow Christ, which allows us to receive His redemption and to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Thus, through repentance we receive forgiveness of sins and appropriate salvation (Acts 2:21, 3:19; I John 1:9).
SANCTIFICATION
Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God’s Word and His Spirit in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us. It is through the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life (I Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23; II Corinthians 3:18, 6:14-18, II Thessalonians 2:1-3, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, Hebrews 2:11).
JESUS’ BLOOD
The Blood that Jesus Christ shed on the Cross of Calvary was sinless and is 100% sufficient to cleanse mankind of all sin. Jesus allowed Himself to be punished for both our sinfulness and our sins, enabling all those who believe to be free from the penalty of sin, which is death (I John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, 5:9; Colossians 1:20; Romans 3:10-12, 23, 5:9; John 1:29).
JESUS CHRIST INDWELLS ALL BELIEVERS
Christians are people who have invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come and live inside them by His Holy Spirit. They relinquish the authority of their lives over to him thus making Jesus the Lord of their life as well as Savior. They put their trust in what Jesus accomplished for them when He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (John 1:12; John 14:17, 23; John 15:4; Romans 8:11; Revelation 3:20).
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Given at Pentecost, it is the promise of the Father, sent by Jesus after His Ascension, to empower the Church to preach the Gospel throughout the whole earth (Joel 2:28-29; Matthew 3:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 1:5,2:1-4, 17, 38-39, 8:14-17, 10:38, 44-47, 11:15-17, 19:1-6).
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible’s lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters. (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12 :4-8; Ephesians 4:16; I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6-7; I Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; I Peter 4:10).
THE CHURCH
The church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. Every person who is born of the Spirit is an integral part of the church as a member of the body of believers. There is a spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22; Hebrews 12:23; John 17:11, 20-23).
PRACTICES
Water Baptism: Following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48).
The Lord’s Supper: A unique time of communion in the presence of God when the elements of bread and grape juice (the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ) ‘are taken in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross (Matthew 26:26-29; I Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-25).
Marriage: We believe marriage is defined in the Bible as a covenant, a sacred bond between one man and one woman, instituted by and publicly entered into before God (Matthew 19:4-6).
HEALING OF THE SICK
Healing of the sick is illustrated in the life and ministry of Jesus, and included in the commission of Jesus to His disciples. It is given as a sign, which is to follow believers. It is also a part of Jesus’ work on the Cross and one of the gifts of the Spirit. (Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 16:17-18; Acts 8:6-7; James 5:14-16; I Corinthians 12:9, 28; Romans 11:29).
GOD’S WILL FOR PROVISION
It is the Father’s will for believers to become whole, healthy and successful in all areas of life. But because of the fall, many may not receive the full benefits of God’s will while on Earth. That fact, though, should never prevent all believers from seeking the full benefits of Christ’s provision in order to better serve others. Spiritual (John 3:3-11; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Romans 10:9-10). Mental and Emotional (II Timothy 1:7, 2:11; Philippians 4:7-8; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3). Physical (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24). Financial (Joshua 1:8; Malachi 3:10-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6-10; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 34:10, 84:11; Philippians 4:19).
RESURRECTION
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected from the dead in a glorified body three days after His death on the cross. In addition, both the saved and the lost will be resurrected; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of eternal damnation (Luke 24:16, 36, 39; John 2:19-21, 20:26-28, 21:4; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42, 44; Philippians 1:21-23, 3:21).
HEAVEN
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for all believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:3, 12, 20, 6:20, 19:21, 25:34; John 17:24; II Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16; I Peter 1:4).
HELL
After living one life on earth, the unbelievers will be judged by God and sent to Hell where they will be eternally tormented with the Devil and the Fallen Angels (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:9-11, 20:12-15, 21:8).
SECOND COMING
Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His Kingdom. This will occur at a date undisclosed by the Scriptures (Matthew 24:30, 26:63-64; Acts 1:9-11; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 1:7).
Messages that will change your life
Listen to our latest sermons and messages from our leadership that has shaped our community and will shape your life around His presence.
Here are three life changing messages!
This workshop from Swallow's Nest Ministries will lay the foundations of hearing God's voice and provide engaging opportunities to do so in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Date : Fri, 20 June (18:30-21:00) & Sat, 21 June (08:00-16:00)
This workshop from Swallow's Nest Ministries will lay the foundations of hearing God's voice and provide engaging opportunities to do so in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Date : Sat, 19 July 10:00
This workshop from Swallow's Nest Ministries will lay the foundations of hearing God's voice and provide engaging opportunities to do so in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Date : Fri, 20 June (18:30-21:00) & Sat, 21 June (08:00-16:00)
Partnering with parents to raise children in Christ.
Through age-specific lessons, activities, and small groups, children from birth-grade 6 learn biblical truths and real-life lessons they can apply to their lives every week in Salem Kids.
Salem Kids is rooted on the promise of Genesis 15:5! Our hope is that the teachings of this ministry will multiply beyond the walls of our venues and into the city of Kempton Park. Through Christ-centered learning, fun, community, and leadership, Salem Kids will become the shining lights that people see in the midst of darkness.
Upon your arrival, you will visit the Salem Kids First-Time Guest check-in station! During check-in, we will register your family using our secure check-in system. Your child will be given a security sticker, indicating their age and appropriate class, along with a “First-Time Guest” wristband so our team can celebrate their first visit. Additionally, they will receive a special first-time guest bag filled with goodies and a letter addressed to you, the parent! We are thrilled to meet you and your family for the first time!
SK Mini's (0-24 Months) : This room is part of our chapel and equipped with private care facilities for your baby and is temperature and light controlled.
SK Junior's (3 years-Grade 1) : This classroom is a bright, engaging, and safe environment for our energetic toddlers.
SK Club (Grade 2-6) : This classroom is a place of joy that is safe, engaging, intentional, and filled with energy to know and celebrate God’s love for them as children of God.
WHAT HAPPENS AT SALEM KIDS?
Biblical Teachings Brought to Life
The Bible is the most amazing book ever written! We strive to creatively bring its stories to life through age-appropriate activities and discussions that keep kids engaged. We want every kid to love God’s Word and understand how to apply it to their life.
When you attend the same service each week, your child has the opportunity to build relationships with small group leaders and other kids. These relationships provide support and confidence, helping your child grow in their faith.
When kids have fun at church, they can’t wait to come back! And we know they'll have fun each week as they learn about who God is through games, activities, small groups, and teaching.
What do I bring for my child?
If your child is 2 years old or younger, you are welcome to bring their diaper bag with any supplies they’ll need (diapers, bottles, baby food, etc.). Our nursery team is ready to love, feed, and care for your SK Minis. If your child is 4 years old or older, they only need to bring themselves! We prefer that any items from home stay with mom and dad to prevent any loss.
How will you contact me during the service?
We use a notification on our screen in church in case we need to reach you during the service for any reason.
How do I pick up my child?
Our check-in stations transition to check-out stations after the service. You will go to the Social Kids area, where there will be a uniformed line for pick-up. The colored wristband you received at check-in should be brought with you to hand over to the Social Kids leader when picking up your child. The wristband will be matched to your child’s wristband to ensure the safety of all our kids.
Will my child have a snack?
Yes, we provide a snack for all ages. Our snacks include Nik-Naks, Cheese-puffs, Jelly Sharks, and animal crackers. We only serve hot chocolate, cool aid and water for all ages.
What will my child do in class?
We believe you are never too young to begin worship and learn about the Bible. Our classes, starting as young as 2 years old, have a time of worship and learn a Bible story for the week. Our baby classes have worship music playing throughout the morning while they play and explore. We also have a time for crafts and games that are centered around Bible-based fun!
Can you child bring electronics to Salem Kids?
Unfortunately, we do not allow electronics in Salem Kids. We’d love for every Salem Kid to be free of distractions and fully engaged in our exciting Salem Kids Service!
This isn’t just a youth group. This is a movement.
Our heart is to lead High-School learners to become fully devoted followers of Christ. We’re more than a youth group—we’re a movement of students, leaders, and parents who are passionate about loving God, loving others, and making a difference!
Youth meets on Friday nights from 7:00-8:30pm. We create a space where every High-School learner can belong, even before they believe. At a Youth experience, you can expect:
Weekly time to bring us closer to Jesus and re-center on what matters most. Before anything else, we want to show our students what it looks like to pause during the busyness of life and direct their attention to the God who is always with them.
Truth from God’s Word contextualized for our culture. In every message, students hear biblical truth about who God is, who they are, what following Jesus is really like, and how they can make a difference in the world.
Life change happens best in the context of relationships. Every student is placed in a small group of their peers and an adult leader who is passionate about investing in the next generation. These groups process life, faith, and following Jesus together.
Prepare the way for His presence.
We love to host His Presence and His people! Created with incredible purpose, we are inspired to make a difference in the lives of those around us. We prepare a way for the Lord through every detail, in each act of service, whether arranging communion cups or helping someone find their seat, we express love and honor for His people.
Together with the gifts that God has given to us, we can come together to experience the joy of connecting and serving one another in love. As part of our family, you’ll witness lives transformed by His presence and cultivate servant leadership skills. Join one of our amazing serve teams and grow as a servant leader.
Find your people, experience community.
Life is better together. You were designed by God to live out your faith in community. Now is the perfect time to join a Small Group, where you can be real and belong.
Small Groups create a space for people to intentionally share their lives with others, grow spiritually together, and encourage each other through the highs and lows of life. Find out more here...
YOUNG LIVES CONNECT GROUP
Leaders: Richard and Rachelle Dalton.
#Marriage #Bible Study #Message Discussion #FriendshipA space for young adults to experience the love of Christ and understand God's purpose for their lives. You'll meet other young Christians like you to help you grow in your relationship with God, share your unique Christian journeys and develop a proper sense of identity in Christ.
Schedule : Wednesday 19:00
Community Type : Young Couples, Young Singles
ANCHOR OF HOPE CONNECT GROUP
Leaders: Danie and Chrisna Terblanche
#Discipleship #Message Discussion #Friendship #Personal MinistryYou are worthy, you are precious, you are needed, and you belong here! This group welcomes people from all ages and all walks of life. We will journey together as followers of Christ and though our stories, lift and encourage each other in prayer, read God's word and be led by His Spirit.
Schedule : Wednesday 19:00
Community Type : Multi-Generational, All Welcome
Location : Germiston, Primrose Area.
GLEN MARAIS CONNECT GROUP
Leaders: Kobus and Judith Bierman
#Discipleship #Message Discussion #Friendship #Personal MinistryGlen Marais Connect Group is a Christ-centered group committed to strengthening our faith, encouraging one another, and growing closer to God. Together, we dive into God’s Word, share life’s victories and challenges, and inspire each other to live out our faith boldly.
Schedule : Wednesday 19:00
Community Type : Multi-Generational, All Welcome
Location : Glen Marais, Kempton Area.
It’s easy to start a new group—and we’re with you every step of the way.
Step 1 : Fill out the Volunteer Application to start the process of becoming a LifeGroup Leader.
Step 2 : Your LifeGroups/LifeMissions team will connect with you to help you prepare to lead your group.
Step 3 : Invite people to join your group and start meeting!
What exactly is a Small Group?
Small Groups create a space for people to intentionally share their lives with others, grow spiritually together, and encourage each other through the highs and lows of life. A Small Group Leader determines how often their group meets and what the focus of the group is. Small Groups gather in homes, coffee shops, and other places where people love to connect—including online.
How do I join a Small Group?
Here are some easy ways to get connected: Visit our info desk at Salem Church and talk to the staff or volunteers there. If you attend Salem Church Online, you can talk to us through our WhatsApp Channel. You can also Find a Small Group near you or one that meets digitally using our website.
What do you actually do in a Small Group?
Every Small Group is unique. Some discuss the weekend message or content from our podcast, some complete Bible Plans in the YouVersion Bible App together, some serve together in the community, and some have a social once a month. Two things you’ll find in every Small Group, though, are relationships and conversations that help people grow in their faith.
Where can I find more information?
If you have further questions related to joining a small group, please fill out our connection card here.
"Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire!".
For My house shall be called a house of prayer
One of our House Rules at Salem Kempton Park is that we are a House of Prayer. We believe that prayer should always be our first response. If you have a prayer request or a praise report of what God has done in your life, please fill out this form and someone from our team will get in contact with you.
PRAYER ROOM SCHEDULE 2025
Term 1 : Monday, February 3 - March 24
Break : Monday March 31, Monday April 7, and April 28
Term 2 : Monday, May 5 - Monday, June 23
Break : Monday, Jun 30 - Monday July 21
Term 3 : Monday, July 28- Monday, September 29
Break : Monday, October 6 Oct
Term 4 : Monday, October 13 to Monday, Dec 1