About Highlands
Our Story
Highlands Church exists to build families, uplift communities, and expand the Kingdom of God through intentional evangelism, discipleship, and a genuine expression of God’s love. We believe that transformed lives lead to transformed homes, and transformed homes lead to transformed communities.
We are proud to form part of the United Apostolic Faith Church, an international organisation with deep roots in discipleship and apostolic teaching. This foundation shapes who we are and how we serve—equipping believers to grow in faith, live with purpose, and impact the world around them.
The Highlands Church congregation was founded by the late Pastor Willem van der Merwe, a highly respected and much-loved pastor within the Eersterust community. He was known for his deep love for people, his passion for the Gospel, and his unwavering commitment to spreading the message of Christ. His legacy continues to shape the heart and direction of Highlands Church today.
Highlands Church is currently led by Pastor Jade Fortuin who tells how God placed the vision of his late grandfather in his heart and he now has a burden to continue the vision and build on the legacy of his late grandfather. Pastor Jade Fortuin is supported by his father, Pastor Terence Fortuin and the Highlands Leadership Team, together they serve with unity, humility, and a shared passion for reaching people, creating disciples, and seeing lives transformed by the power of God.
At Highlands Church, you are more than a visitor—you are family. We invite you to journey with us as we grow together in faith and purpose.
Our Statement of Faith
The United Apostolic Faith Church believes and teaches that the Bible is the written Word of God, and that within it is found all that is necessary for the salvation of mankind. The Bible makes known the plan of God for the ages — much of which has already been fulfilled; and we believe that all Scripture awaiting fulfilment will surely come to pass.
The United Apostolic Faith Church believes in progressive revelation. Jesus Christ declared that when “He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth”; “He will show you things to come”. — John 16:12-15. We are in the dispensation of the Holy Ghost, and He is ready, not only to give “milk” unto babes, but the “meat” of Divine revelation unto all who will grow up into manhood in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 5:12-14). It is for us to be obedient to the Apostolic injunction, “Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.” — Hebrews 6:1.
The United Apostolic Faith Church believes that we are in the day when Ephesians 4:1-8, 11-16 will be fulfilled and the Christ revealed in fulness in His Body — the Church; when He will be manifested in Israel for the blessing of the world, so that Genesis 12:2, 3; 22:17, 18, and John 17: 20-23 may be fulfilled.
While we do not limit the will and purposes of God to the truth we already know from the Scriptures, yet the following definite doctrines were agreed upon as a foundation for the unity of the faith which we believe God is establishing among the saints.
It is therefore our privilege to stand for the progressive revelation of Christ in this day; to know Him and to proclaim Him to the world as the —
SAVIOUR — who has put away our sins by the sacrifice of Himself;
SANCTIFIER — putting to death in us the old life, that He who is our life may be seen — the holiness of God within us;
HEALER — who “Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses,” as made known to us in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles;
BAPTISER WITH THE HOLY GHOST — making us members of “the Church, which is His body, filled by Him who fills the universe entirely.” — Ephesians 1:22, 23 (Moffatt).
It is our privilege to stand for, and to be a part of, this Church which Jesus Christ said He would build and against which the gates of Hell should not prevail; the Church that will eventually bring forth His fulness in Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, etc., and gifts of the Holy Ghost.
By the Holy Ghost God clearly shows from the Scriptures that this “revelation of Jesus Christ” is primarily for the whole House of Israel, so that the knowledge of His will and the demonstration of His power may lead them to know Him —
THE SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL — who laid down His life for the sheep (Ezekiel 34; 1 Peter 2:25; John 10:11), that they may fulfil their mission of making known to all the world, not only the Christ in “Former Rain” or Early Church power, but in “Latter Rain” fulness, so that all flesh shall see the salvation of the Lord and behold in Israel the mighty works of God which He has promised by the mouth of His holy prophets, fulfilling His promise to Abram that “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” This is the day when Christ shall be revealed to Israel through His Body — the Church; this is the day when blindness shall be dispelled from Israel (Romans 11:25; Isaiah 25: 6, 7), when she shall awake and do her Beloved’s will, revealing and making Him known through every channel of her life.
Then shall she declare Him to be her COMING LORD AND KING.
This is our vision and our message. We stand in faith for such to be made substance, so that the will of God may be done and the day of heaven on earth begun.
The references given in setting forth the “Articles of Belief” can be greatly multiplied, and we would urge our readers to search the Scriptures, as did the Bereans of old, to see that these things are so. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, be glory and dominion for ever and ever. — AMEN.
Yours for the full counsel of God,
JAMES BROOKE,
Chief Overseer (1927).
Let’s Pray Together
Get in touch so we can reach out!
