Maybe you aren't sure who Frank Retief is, and have heard little about him. The Bournemouth and Poole UCCF worker, Liesl Wharton, knows him well - having grown up in his church in South Africa. She is extremely excited that he will be coming here to speak at the Bournemouth and Poole Convention. Here is what she has to say about him:
"Uncle Frank was converted as a young man from a difficult background with an alcoholic father. Immediately he was gripped with a desire to share the amazing news of Jesus Christ with others. He and a friend of his used to take their guitars to the very poor areas and sing and teach them about Jesus. Immediately on arriving, guitar in hand, black hair slicked back, and true Frank-like charisma, he was greeted with an unexpected welcome; the community of children were in awe that Elvis had come to visit them!
Frank the Pastor
I had the joy and privilege of sitting under 'Uncle' Frank's ministry for the first 15 years of my life. He was the senior pastor of St James Church Kenilworth (Cape Town) - a church of around 3-4000 people. All of the young people in the congregation knew him as 'Uncle Frank'; he will never be anything else to us. He knew us by name. I asked him about it once, and he said that you don't forget the people you pray for.
Every Sunday was a feast! Uncle Frank, with authority, love, gentleness, and firm rebuke held out the word of truth with courage and faithfulness week after week. He never missed an opportunity to preach Christ crucified, and never took it for granted that someone was saved. Uncle Frank had the word 'Eternity' written on the inside of the pulpit. Every time he got up to preach he was reminded of the future of the 3-4000 people before him.
Frank the Evangelist
Uncle Frank cannot BUT speak of our LORD Jesus Christ. Even when lying in hospital after a nearly fatal asthma attack, he could not keep quiet about our LORD and the Good News. Prick him anywhere and he will bleed the gospel!
Frank the Peacemaker
When I was 9 our church was attacked by a group of political activists with AK47s and hand grenades. 11 of our congregation were killed and a large number seriously hurt. Immediately it made the headlines, and Uncle Frank was asked to speak on national television. Taking the opportunity, Uncle Frank spoke about our LORD Jesus Christ and His death. He spoke about the forgiveness that only He can bring, and the reconciliation and peace that comes only through the gospel of peace. He held out the offer of that forgiveness from Jesus to the men who had done this, and to the rest of the nation. God was honoured in our nation because of that and people came to know and love the LORD through it.
Frank the Author
Uncle Frank has written a number of books including - "Divorce: Hope for hurting", "Finding God", "Tragedy to Triumph", and "Why Me, Lord?"
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