On November 10, 1999, a group consisting of Pastor Philip J Oktober, his wife Julie Ann, Brother Jim Davids and his wife Cynthia, Brother Martin Jansen and his, then wife Regina met in the Jansen-residence after a calling on Pastor Philip’s life. We prayed for two weeks, whereafter we formed Covenant Evangelical Ministries. This was the beginning of the ministry in Eersteriver, Cape Town.

Two years later on 6 April 2001, Pastor Philip was ordained as a pastor and on 24 June 2004, he was appointed as a marriage officer and commissioner of oaths. The church held its services in different houses, including Pastor Philip’s house and garage. (Who will forget the morning that Pastor Philip’s neighbours called the police, only to find that the police officer is also a born again Christian, who assisted us in having a truly blessed service that morning ?)