Giving everything for His cause

Etienne Piek, January 19th, 2012

In May of 2011 Pete Greig released a statement celebrating the arrival of Etienne Piek. To quote Pete "We have appointed one of the gifted leaders of this generation" and "one of the few people who can name a friend in every nation on the planet". We were thrilled that Etienne was coming all the way from South Africa to become the Chief Operating Officer of 24-Prayer International. But this new job required a huge leap of faith for Etienne as he had to uproot his life and move to the UK, leaving his wife and children, who were finishing their studies, back in South Africa.

Skip forward a few months and sadly life has thrown a spanner in the works. A family bereavement has radically altered Etienne's personal situation and forced him to return to South Africa, leaving the life he was growing here with us at the 24-7 Prayer office in Guildford. Here Etienne shares about his personal journey of navigating a time of great uncertainty and the adventure of giving everything for Jesus' cause.

January offers an opportunity to look back over the year and see the hand of God at work. 2011 has really has been an extraordinary year, not only for the movement, but also for our family.

The call to join 24-7 Prayer permanently as COO was as clear as anything. As a family we knew that it would mean a massive sacrifice of living thousands of miles apart, for at least a couple of years, but the challenge was to lay EVERYTHING on the altar and our only response was to obey. Reality dawned on us when we arrived in the UK on 1st January.

From day one there was a struggle with the work visa and the challenge to obey became even more immanent! Lots of people prayed and as a family we had to surrender every single day and opt not to take the easy way out. It was already becoming hard to live apart. When the visa was eventually granted miraculously in April, we knew that this was our life from now on. Wilma and the kids would live in South Africa and I would settle in Guildford, eagerly awaiting Wilma’s arrival at the end of 2012. Initially it wasn’t tough at all, but gradually the lonely evenings and weekends reminded us of the fact that He was asking EVERYTHING. With God’s grace we managed to live from visit to visit, filling the gaps in between with Skype calls, Facebook and WhatsApp. It was tough, but bearable . . .

Slowly, but surely, I had to establish myself within the 24-7 Prayer family and Guildford. This was now home. And it wasn’t difficult, despite the awful weather! (Remember that I come from sunny South Africa where the winter temperature is the UK’s maximum temperatures.) But, I adapted well and started enjoying my new life in the UK. Getting a banking account, new house, furniture, mobile phone contract and all the things one need to feel at home was the first priority. Signing up to Sky to at least see some South African rugby and cricket was a BIG priority. And so life in the beautiful Guildford started!

Building new relationships and friendships wasn’t difficult at all. The Guildford Boiler Room provided a home where I could grow spiritually, apply my gifts, serve and celebrate God’s work in broken lives. It was a place where we could pray for and with each other and just hang out and have some fun together. Yes, a pub became my church and my family!

As for the 24-7 Prayer personnel, I cannot find the words to describe what it meant to be working with such a special team of people! No wonder this movement of prayer, mission and justice is out of control. Yeah, I know that God uses ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things, but oh boy, these guys are pure gold. The level of commitment and willingness to sacrifice for the cause is beyond words. I was accepted into this circle and family started getting a totally new meaning. Every single day is an adventure and I can honestly say that I have been excited to go to the office every morning.

And then life happened. In August, whilst on a surprise visit to South Africa, my father-in-law passed away after a very short, but intense battle with cancer. The immediate effect of this loss would mean that we would have to look after my mother-in-law and suddenly the plans of Wilma joining me at the end of 2012 was in doubt. There was just no way that I could expect of my lovely wife to carry the responsibility of work and looking after a first year Uni-student, a child in her final year of school and her mother. We had a few tough decisions to make.

After wrestling with God for 2 months, asking questions about our initial call and if we might have had this whole thing wrong, we received a very significant word that our challenge is “location and not vocation”. God also clearly spoke to me about making my family a priority and that He was still in control. Many words from friends and the amazing way in which the 24-7 leadership handled this situation made it clear that I would have to move back to South Africa. It was time to pick up my just - established roots and leave home, selling my car, furniture, giving up my cellphone and ending my Sky contract.

So, on 7 December 2011 I left Guildford with a sad, but peaceful heart. I will continue in my role as COO until 31 January 2012, but after that will still be involved in the 24-7 Prayer Movement in many ways, serving on the International Board, assisting with International Partnerships, projects and events and also assisting the Global Internship until it’s launch in September 2012. In the long term I will also assist with developing Africa as a region.

For 2012 my first task is to plant a Boiler Room community; not an easy venture in our society, but something we really feel led to do. So we will continue to spread the 24-7 virus, building a community of prayer, mission and justice.

This journey has once again taught me that God expects EVERYTHING, because He gave EVERYTHING! If we make His Kingdom our first priority, listen carefully and obey, even if we have to place our closest and dearest on the altar, He will bless us and lead us to new and exciting pastures.

I will, however, remain family, serve the vision and continue my vocation. This is a life - time commitment.

This sad departure means that 24-7 Prayer are advertising for someone to fill this pivotal role in the movement…
Are you an experienced manager with an understanding of Christian ministry and a passion for prayer? Check out this recent job advertisement if you feel your skills could serve the 24-7 vision and help us change the world through prayer, mission and justice. 


This feature has received 3 comments so far...
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• Richard Heald
  24th Jan

  

  These have been brave choices and a tough year for you all. Important to stay in Father’s plan and palm : may have seemed premature but He always honours and redeems and will show you the shape and purpose of these times. ( I hope our funny little cottage didn’t make those early days too much tougher : you must come back and stay in midsummer some day ! )

• Carla
  23rd Jan

  

  Etienne, we miss you so much but I’m really glad you’re home with Wilma. Thank you so much for all you guys gave being apart for so long. We’re praying for you and very much looking forward to being in the same country some time soon hopefully!

• Noomi
  23rd Jan

  

  Thanks for sharing!! I have myself experienced how life can change in unexpected ways… good to know that God never abandons us no matter what! God bless you and your family.