Couple head north-west

PORT Alfred Baptist Church couple, Garth and Jenny Kieck, will leave Port Alfred next month when Garth takes up a new position as pastor of the Baptist Church in Broederstroom, near Hartebeespoort Dam in the North-West Province.

The Kiecks moved from King William‘s Town to Port Alfred in 1997 when Garth took up his post here. The couple‘s three children, Mark, Greg and Claire, started attending Port Alfred High School, where Jenny later accepted a teaching post.

The past 13 years have seen much growth in the Baptist Church, with membership growing at a constant rate, and the appointments of first a youth pastor, Brett Taylor, some two years ago, and a youth worker, Ross Pilkington, in January this year.

Brett, together with his wife, Candice, will continue to pastor the church until a new senior pastor is appointed.

Garth said he had thoroughly enjoyed his stay in Port Alfred, but he wanted to do more before retiring in a few years time.
“God decided it was time for us to move on,” said Garth, “and we will miss Port Alfred.
“ Jen and I are really excited at what God is doing in our lives.”

Garth conducted his final service in the church on Sunday, 27 December, and his last task before preparing to leave was conducting his son Greg‘s marriage to Jann Clayton last Saturday.

The couple will retain ties with Port Alfred as their oldest son, Mark, who owns the Home Inn, and daughter-in-law Jacqui, who runs her physiotherapy practice in Southwell Road, will remain here. Jacqui is currently expecting the couple‘s first child. - JANET HYDE