Pastors/ Elders

The ultimate authority in the local church is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the head of the church, which is His body and His bride.

The Bible also teaches that each local church should be led by a plurality of pastors/ elders (biblically, these terms refer to the same leadership role in the church), who are responsible to “shepherd the flock of God,” to set a good example for the church, to preach and teach the Bible, and to guard the church against false teaching.

The following men serve as pastors/ elders of Living Hope Church:

Left to Right: Akani Hlungwane, Blake Scheideman, Safari Mukeru, Alan Lester, Andre de Wit, Hamilton Ganesan

Andre de Wit: Lead Pastor 

Andre is originally from Durban, KwaZulu Natal. He has been a part of Living Hope since the church began in October, 2009, and has been an elder in the church since February, 2018. Andre is married to Karlien (since 2008), and they have 1 daughter and 1 son.

Contact: 084-513-2580 / andre@1hope4africa.com

Akani Hlungwane: Bi-vocational Pastor (Church Planter)

Akani is originally from Ka-Bungeni, Limpopo. He is employed as an engineer with Ford and has served as an elder since 2023. He recently completed formal theological studies and is currently preparing to be sent out as a church planter to his home village with the desire to see gospel-centered local churches established in rural Limpopo. He is married to Lerato and they have 2 sons and 2 daughters.

Contact: 072-575-7707 / marhothi@gmail.com

Hamilton Ganesan: Bi-vocational Pastor (Worship)

Hamilton is originally from Durban, KwaZulu Natal. He has been a part of Living Hope since the church began in October, 2009, and has been an elder in the church since February, 2020. He is married to Eve (since 2013), and they have 2 sons.

Contact: 072-713-5356 / ham.kzn@gmail.com

Alan Lester: Pastor (Counselling)

Alan is originally from Ermelo in the Mpumalanga province. He has served on the leadership team of Living Hope since the church began in October, 2009. Alan was married to Charleen from 1993 until she went home to be with the Lord in 2012. He has 2 daughters.

Contact: 083-360-2502 / alan@graceunlimited.co.za

Safari Mukeru: Bi-vocational Pastor (Shepherding,

Safari is originally from Bukavu, in South Kivu province, DRC. He has been a part of Living Hope since 2011, and has been an elder in the church since February, 2018. Safari has been married to Furaha (“Joy”/ “Mama Safari”) since 1997, and they have 4 daughters and 1 son.

Contact: 071-221-2764 / smukeru@gmail.com

Blake Scheideman: Pastor (Administration, Young Adults’ Ministry)

Blake is originally from Bakersfield, California, USA. He has been married to Claire since 2015, and they have 1 sons and 1 daughter. He has been a part of Living Hope Church since 2019.

Contact: 074-694-2998 / reachblake@gmail.com