MISSION STATEMENT

MES is a metropolitan Christian Organisation which initiates and facilitates projects to empower people to lead meaningful lives.

H I S T O R I C A L B A C K G R O U N D

MES was started in the early eighties by the Dutch Reformed Church Jhb-East.

It started as a feeding scheme doing evangelical work. The need for an organisation like MES was a result of the changes occurring in the city. The inner city was once a popular place with a flourishing business centre and neighbourhood, but it has changed into a poor and needy environment characterised by crime.

S T A T U S

• MES is a Section 21 company not for gain.
• MES functions as an organisation consisting of a projects and ministry department and follows a holistic approach to meet people’s physical, spiritual and emotional needs.
• MES has 85 full time personnel

 

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

INTRODUCTION

The MES Board of Directors would like to present a short summary regarding its activities during the past year as well as a summary of the financial state of MES.

The part that the Board of Directors plays, is to determine MES' policy and to monitor its various activities.

The Board of Directors ensures that the organisation stays focused on its vision, that finances are handled on a healthy basis and that it is subject to proper accounting and auditing procedures.

NEW DISPENSATION AND STRUCTURE

In the year 2000 a new dispensation commenced in MES. As a result of an intensive strategic process, a new structure was developed.

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

An almost completely new Board of Directors was appointed at MES during the year 2000. Ms. Lorein Winter, a Board member who served on the Board for a long time, retired during this time.

The Board of Directors now consists of the following members:

Mr. T L de Beer:				  			Chairperson    

Mr. Philip van Vuuren:					Deputy Chairperson

Prof. Aubrey Redlinghuis:				Specialist (RAU)

Rev. Hannes Windell:					"SSK"

Rev. Johannes Maseko:					Uniting Reformed Church

Mr. J. Snyman	:		 					Parkkruin NG Congregation

Mrs. Zerilda Nel:		 					Parkkruin Congregation

Rev. Christoph Muller	:				Jhb. NG Congregation

Prof. Frans van Rensburg:				Jhb. NG Congregation

Rev. Frans van Zyl Louw:				"Circle " Jhb.

Mr. Josiah Nyat:							Specialist from the Community

Mrs. Alta Du Toit:							SKDB

 

EVALUATION OF THE ORGANISATION

 

The Board of Directors is satisfied that business is on track at MES. Certain processes were highlighted, to which Management had to give attention. This was achieved to a great extend.

Proper financial and accounting systems were put into place.

A proper structure was put into operation.

Contracts, service contracts and disciplinary codes were put into place.

New salary scales and a new personnel structure was developed.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

The Board of Directors takes pleasure in thanking and acknowledging the following:

First of all, acknowledgement to the Lord who enabled us to work in an exceptional field of service.

Acknowledgement and thanks to the Management and Personnel for their unselfish service, especially in a high-risk area that can sometimes be life threatening. Taking care of personnel, demands effort because the Organisation is completely dependent on volunteers and financial support.

Acknowledgement to Congregations, the General Synod of the NG Church, as well as the Regional Synod of Southern Transvaal, and Congregations of other Church Denominations.

Acknowledgement to the Corporate Sector, various Communities, the Media and especially individuals who care about MES

 

EXECUTIVE HEAD’S REPORT

INTRODUCTION

It is a privilege for MES to do report back of our previous year’s activities. The Lord has blessed us in many ways and we are thankful to give this report.

MES is working amongst the poor and needy in the Inner City of Johannesburg. The organisation works with all the people, from children to the aged, with the goal of meeting their spiritual, physical and psychological needs.

STRATEGY

MES works with a holistic approach in the city. We try to reach the physical, spiritual, emotional and mental needs of man and follow a double strategy, namely:

• To uplift people through several projects and to develop them so as to empower them to make decisions concerning their own lives.
• To serve people with the gospel of Jesus Christ through our ministry so as to empower them to make decisions concerning their own spiritual lives.

GOALS AND OUTCOME OF THE ORGANISATION

1. STRATEGIC PLAN

• Two strategic planning sessions were held during the previous year. The first planning session was held to evaluate the year 2000. Management was satisfied that we met our goals. The project leaders were part of the planning and they responded in a positive manner towards the organisation.
• The main point is that MES is the complement of its projects. MES exists because of its projects and therefore the whole planning was done through the projects.
• New goals were set for every project and a plan of action was developed (as seen in the report of the projects).
• In the beginning of the year a second planning session was held, at which time the leaders worked on a three-year plan for MES. It was agreed that each project must be developed with its own plan. The development should be according to the vision of MES and funding is part of the plan. Potential new projects must be considered carefully so that they may compliment the existing projects. The projects are developed in partnership with the corporate sector, but it is not expected of them, at any stage, to get involved with spiritual work.
• Part of the strategy is that MES’ finances should stabilise.
• A policy document was drawn up to give direction to MES regarding staff matters, finance and practical issues.

2. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Over the past few years the Financial Statements of the Organisation reflected a healthy position.
• A healthy Financial System, that complies with the requirements of the Generally Accepted Auditing Practice (GAAP) and the Companies’ Law, is in place.
• A budget, that is based on realistic figures, but which keeps pace with the Organisation’s abilities and growth, was drawn up.
• Overall, an increase of R1 million was budgeted above the previous year.
• During the previous year, salaries were increased slightly. This means that although we can never be in line with the private sector, we at least give our staff the opportunity to upgrade their standard of living.
• Financial goals were set for the Public Relations Team and an amount of R1,8 million was set as a goal.
• Adjustments to the Financial Policy were also addressed so as to keep in pace with time.
• Involvement that made a difference in MES is the financial support of the Parkkruin Congregation and Mergon Trust, as well as the writing off of debts like parking fees of R 50 000 and tax of R 27 000.
• The donation of the Irene Church to MES, although not a financial asset, will mean a lot to MES in terms of having its own building.
• Three flats were registered in MES’ name during the previous year, a further two are in the process of being registered and the registration of a sixth one will start soon.

2. HUMAN RESOURCES UTILISATION

• An Advisory Committee was formed which advises Management regarding personnel matters and to help to bridge the gap between personnel and Management. This Committee completed the first year with success and Management is looking forward to develop this Committee further.
• The relationships between staff members as well as between Management and staff are healthy.

2. PROJECTS DEPARTMENT

• Our projects department has developed extremely well. A lot of structure was put into the projects and effective goal setting and monitoring of goals brought positive outcomes.
• The professional approach of the project manager and his team and the ultimate commitment resulted in amazing results that will be seen in the report of the project department.
• The support of corporate donors and a lot of goodwill from the public showed the appreciation for the difference that was made by the projects in the lives of people.

2. MINISTRY DEPARTMENT

• A new Ministry Department also developed from the projects and was established in the beginning of the year. The reason for the new department was to give stability to the spiritual work, as well as to develop this as a separate part of MES, especially with the support of the different churches.
• 'n Programme focusing on Training and Spiritual Care of personnel is being developed and a Bible school will start in May to address these needs.
• A team, consisting of Dutch Reformed and URC Ministers, is taking care of the spiritual needs of the personnel.

5. EFFECTIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS

• The congregations in Johannesburg and Parkkruin are our partners in the Inner City and action plans for co-operation are starting to materialise.
• Discussions are in progress with other church groups like the Hervormde Kerk, the Luthern Church and other Churches like the Methodist Church, to establish more participation from their side, and to involve more Christians in the city.
• Discussions with the CMR of the Dutch Reformed Church and the "Ondersteuningsraad" of the Hervormde Kerk, have taken place and both organisations agreed to assist us with social services by forming a closer professional relationship.
• An agreement has been entered into between MES and RAU to work as partners in the Inner City.
• An agreement has also been entered into between MES and Parktown College to work as partners in the Inner City.
• Effort was put into improving relations with the media. Visits from the editors of Beeld and Homeless Talk seemed to be positive for MES.
• Articles in Rapport did a lot for our image and several reports by radio, television and newspapers during the year, brought a lot of publicity.

5. NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR MES IN THE CITY

• The possible donation of a farm just outside Parys, was reported on in the previous year. This farm has to be managed as a welfare project according to trust specifications. The farm is especially suitable for training and development projects. We are still waiting for the donors to finalise this, as they have some administrative difficulties to overcome.
• An offer was recently made to the FAK for the Trap der Jeugd Training Centre, which was also mentioned the previous year. Negotiations are currently in progress. This centre could be used as a training centre.
• Othandweni also made an offer for a building belonging to the scouts, to be developed as a shelter for girls. The offer was accepted.
• A Building was donated by ABSA for an overnight shelter. This shelter will be in use before the winter. Investec donated beds for the shelter.
• Our ongoing relationship with RAU is of vital importance. A Formal agreement was entered into last year, but co-operation on ground level is still in progress.
• The Irene Church was given to MES and MES will have the challenge of helping the Johannesburg congregation to develop a new ministry together with other Churches in the Inner City.
• A Pastoral Centre and a Bible School which MES started this year, will support Churches and assist them to grow.
• The new development of an Aids Care Centre, which will start operating during November, is a high priority. This project will be done together with Othandweni Netherlands, which was founded in the Netherlands specifically to raise financial support for Othandweni at MES and to give support to the Aids Care Centre.
• Training has become more and more important. Therefore it was a logic development to combine all the training programmes into one effective project which will surely grow to become a separate department.

VISION 2001

 

We believe that our vision will help us to reach the following goals:

• To develop MES to be the most effective organisation in the city involved in the development of people and the spreading of the gospel.
• To strive to be as professional as possible.
• To be the unconditional servants of the Lord, without attitude, in the city.
• To keep on building relations and partnerships with the community, with the government, with churches and educational institutions.
• To keep on building partnerships with the press and the media.
• To keep on building a network of co-workers in the Inner City in order to avoid duplication of services.
• To keep on striving for financial stability.
• To keep on caring for our staff as much as possible.

 

ADRESS DETAILS

MES

Private bag x33

Hillbrow

2038

Tel: 011 - 7256531

Fax: 011 - 7256572

Email: mesmanagement@icon.co.za

 

BANK DETAILS:

MES, ABSA, Parktown

Tak Kode. 514205

Rek. No. 3240140208

 

 

Statement | Chairmans Report | Board of Directors | Executive's Report

Vision 2001 | Contact Details | Banking Details