Missionary Allyson Roestorf Shares Her Update During Sunday Morning Service at Arbor Christian Fellowship
During a recent Sunday morning service at Arbor Christian Fellowship, missionary Allyson Roestorf shared a heartfelt update about her life and ministry. Her visit provided an opportunity to reconnect with the congregation and reflect on how God has been moving in her life, despite the challenges and heartaches of the past year.
A New Chapter: Marriage and Life Changes
Allyson began her update with a joyful personal milestone: her marriage to Wikus Roestorf, a wonderful man from South Africa. While many in the congregation have had the chance to meet Wikus, he is currently back in South Africa. Allyson shared that the first seven months of their marriage have been a whirlwind of emotions, marked by both joy and pain.
One of the most significant moments she experienced was the loss of her grandfather in September 2024. Despite the deep heartache, Allyson was incredibly grateful to have spent his final month with him. Her husband, Wikus, also had the opportunity to meet her grandfather before his passing, which was meaningful for both of them. Allyson reflected on how difficult this first season of marriage has been, especially while living on the other side of the world. "Living on the other side of the world, sometimes tragic, hard, and painful things happen," she said.
In November 2024, Allyson returned to South Africa, where she and Wikus experienced the heartbreaking loss of a baby through miscarriage. Despite the deep sorrow, Allyson emphasized how close and kind the Lord has been, sharing that “When we go through hard things, it makes it even more weighty and deep when we can come to church and say, ‘God is good,’ and really mean it.”
Ministry Growth and Milestones
In addition to her personal updates, Allyson shared inspiring news about the ministry she and her husband are a part of in South Africa. Their mission base has officially celebrated five years of ministry, growing from a team of 26 to over 107 full-time staff members. During these years, they have seen more than 64,000 people make decisions for Christ through one-on-one evangelism, and this number only includes those they have been able to count (not including larger crusades).
Allyson also shared exciting developments in Christian education. They have launched Redwoods Christian Academy, a preschool that will eventually grow into a full primary school, and eventually, a high school. “We’re dreaming big when it comes to Christian education,” Allyson explained, emphasizing the importance of Christian education in South Africa, where such opportunities are scarce but deeply needed.
Additionally, Allyson’s team continues leading several training programs, including Disciple Training Schools (DTS), which run twice a year. This year, they are launching a School of Biblical Studies, a nine-month in-depth Bible school where students will read through the entire Bible five times. They are also offering a Discipleship Bible School, which provides an overview of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, with a focus on God’s redemptive story.
“Through all these programs, we’re seeing so much fruit,” Allyson said, expressing how the ministry is continuing to grow and impact lives.
Looking Ahead: Big Dreams for South Africa
One of the most exciting projects Allyson’s team is working on is the Send event, a stadium gathering aimed at inspiring 5,000 to 7,000 South Africans to live missionally. This event will take place annually, with the goal of encouraging people to embrace a mission-driven life both within South Africa and beyond. The first Send event is set to take place this year, and Allyson and Wikus are eager to see how God will use this event to inspire the nation.
Our Partnership with Allyson and Wikus
It is our pleasure at Arbor Christian Fellowship to support Allyson and Wikus in their missionary work in South Africa. Their dedication, resilience, and the incredible growth of their ministry inspire us, and we are honored to stand alongside them in their mission to spread the love of Christ and make a lasting impact in South Africa. Our partnership with them is a testament to the power of community and prayer, and we are excited to see how God continues to use them in the years to come.
Prayer Requests and Looking to the Future
As Allyson concluded her update, she shared several prayer requests with the congregation. She and Wikus are hoping to start a family soon and ask for prayers as they prepare for this new chapter in their lives. Additionally, they request prayer for finances and the continued growth of their ministry. “We’re here for a conference that has a lot to do with how we scale and prepare for growth,” Allyson shared, reflecting on their plans to navigate the next steps in their ministry.
Before closing, Allyson expressed her gratitude to the congregation. "I’m so grateful for you all," she said, acknowledging the importance of Arbor’s prayers, support, and encouragement in their work.
As Allyson and Wikus continue their journey in South Africa, their story stands as a powerful testament to the challenges and rewards of living out God’s calling in another country. Through heartbreak, triumph, and growth, they remain steadfast in their mission to make a lasting impact on the people of South Africa and beyond. We are blessed to walk alongside them as they fulfill their calling.