Wilson and I (Grace) went to a revival seminar hosted in Argentina in 2002. Every day for three weeks we had very anointed pastors praying and imparting the word of God to us, leading to many sleepless nights. God was stirring our hearts to pioneer a new but different kind of base in Durban.

We returned to South Africa, and hosted a Leadership Training School (LTS) in the beginning of 2003 at the YWAM base in Jeffrey’s Bay. Every Thursday morning at 6 a.m. for the next three months we prayed, strategizing and co-creating with God. YWAM Durban is a base truly birthed out of a place of prayer and intimacy with the Father. God eventually drew a team around us and after several trips into the “Promised Land” we took possession of our first beautiful property.

Wilson was given opportunities to speak in several Zulu churches in Durban, one of which was at a very large church of about 2000 members. The Lord challenged him to speak about the warrior spirit, something deep in the make-up of the Zulu people. Before Wilson could preach, God lead him to ask for forgiveness on behalf of his people (Xhosa) for the years of bitterness and enmity that had estranged them, which allowed for the Holy Spirit to move in power as people were touched by his own vulnerability. The challenge that came from the Holy Spirit was to stir up the warrior spirit within and take up arms against the onslaught of every demonic spirit of crime, poverty, sickness, that ravages through our beautiful country.

Wilson also visited an Indian church and realized how strategic Durban is for world missions. As we saw the diversity of the city, we were once again reminded of Revelation 7:9, which says, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb...”

God has blessed South Africa with this multitude, but the residue of apartheid has created hurt, fear, and mistrust. We believe that reconciliation and forgiveness are mighty tools that will cause the indigenous of our land to rise up into their God-given destinies. Within that belief, God has deeply rooted the inhabitants of Durban on our hearts...We believe the time is ripe to start this historical movement, to see the face of missions being changed, to see the indigenous people being release as missionaries. God’s glory is too vast that one culture can contain it; God is going to use the richness and diversity of our cultures for His glory. The Harvest for Missions has begun.