Development of Seventh-day Adventist Work
Seventh-day Adventism in Namibia dates back to 1937 and 1938 when Pastor J. van der Merwe conducted the first evangelistic campaign in Windhoek. Five people were baptized. For nearly two decades no further work was done in Namibia, or South-West Africa, as it was then called. The few members were cared for by Pastor S. Fourie, who was the pastor of the Upington church.
During that time two colporteurs, D. A. deBeer and W. van Heerden, were sent to strengthen the work in the area.
In 1954 the South West Africa Field was organized, and Pastor J. J. Bekker was appointed as the first president. He was the only pastor living in South-West Africa. He continued to labor until his sudden death in 1965. Since then nine other presidents have served the field. The membership has been slow but steady.
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During the early years the work in Namibia was mostly confined to the central part of the country. During 1961 some of the members felt a burden to expand the work to Ovambo land, the most northern part of Namibia. A dedicated layman, Tobias Amakalie, was asked to pioneer the work in that area.
He labored there for 20 years and established the first Black church in Namibia. During the same period Pastor F. Arends was called to work in the Windhoek area and established the first Coloured church in the field.
Institutions
Kanye Hospital.
