Our History

In 1988 Paul & Jenny Daniel established His People Christian Church at the University of Cape Town. They had a passion for students & soon the local campuses were booming with young & energetic Christians. In mid 1992, Nigel & Debbie Desmond felt called by God to Grahamstown. Initially they planted a Bible School, & soon after that Sunday services began. Nigel & Debbie pioneered the work & it grew to be a dynamic church that has had a great impact on Rhodes University & Grahamstown.

In June 2000 Gareth & Taryn Lowe took over as senior pastors, & Nigel & Debbie were released to go & pioneer a church plant in East London. In late 2007 the Lowes answered the call to plant a church in Berlin, Germany, & Tendai & Keryn Chitsike became the senior pastors of the church. Lester & Melissa Bhana currently serve with them as the eldership team.

The spirit of His People Grahamstown can be summarised in our theme scripture: Daniel 11:32 - The people who know their God shall be strong & do great exploits.

Nigel & Debbie Desmond came to Grahamstown in their early twenties, & by faith, & through the grace of God, a vibrant church was birthed. Then in 2007, the Lowes took a team of young men & women to Berlin, Germany, & on September 2009, a church was born. A thriving church is now reaching the nation of Germany, started by young people who encountered God & their destiny at His People Grahamstown. Beyond this, we have released numerous leaders into this nation & beyond, as pastors, worship leaders & reformers, all from ‘little old Grahamstown.’ Here at home, we continue to see waves of young leaders step into their destiny as fathers & mothers, teachers, businesspeople, campus missionaries, reformers & future church planters.

While we have always believed in the vital importance of reaching young people especially on the university campus, this ministry has developed into a multi-generational & multi-racial church family, home to people of various ages & ethnic backgrounds. We continually desire to see the presence of God in our worship, the Spirit of truth in our preaching, an unashamed witness to our city, & loving relationships with each other.