Who We Are

Our History

From a campus Bible study in 2008 to a church family in 2014 - the story of how God built Exalted Christ Church International.

Our name

Why “Exalted”?

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendour is above the earth and the heavens.”

Psalm 148:13

Our name comes from Psalm 148:13. We believe Jesus Christ alone is worthy of exaltation, and we exist to proclaim His supremacy among all people and nations. Exalted Christ Church International (ECCi) was established on 5 October 2014.

Our journey

From Campus Prayer to a Church Family

2008

Campus ministry begins

Apostle Mike New starts revival programmes at UKZN Howard College.

2011-12

A praying generation

Students connect with him and begin praying together consistently.

2012-14

Ramah Christian Network

All-night prayers, residence services, evangelism and revival meetings.

5 Oct 2014

The church is born

The first official service at the Howard College Campus Chapel - four people.

Umbilo

Cell groups

A member opens her home and the first cell groups begin.

Introduction

This history documents the foundation of Exalted Christ Church International, tracing our journey from a small campus Bible study in 2008 to a vibrant community in 2014. As the Exalted Christ Church International family, we live and walk in the Word of Faith - manifesting the reality of God’s Word of Faith, power, glory, love and presence.

Here we share how the church started, the key people, where it began, how it grew, the challenges we faced, and testimonies of the work of the Holy Spirit. We are grateful to the founder of Exalted Christ Church International, Apostle Mike New, and to Pastor Gilbert.

How the Church Started

The church officially began on 5 October 2014, but its roots go back several years earlier to the Howard College campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Since 2008, Apostle Mike New, the visionary and founder, had been involved in campus ministry, conducting revival programmes.

Around 2011 a group of students arrived at the university, and by 2012 they had connected with him and begun praying together consistently. This prayer movement became known as the Ramah Christian Network - a campus-based ministry that involved:

Students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Durban University of Technology and other parts of Durban took part, and many of those involved during this period remain part of the ministry today. The years between 2012 and 2014 were marked by a strong hunger for God. Students invited friends and family, and over time people from outside the university began attending the all-night prayers and campus gatherings - which gradually extended beyond students alone. (Pastor Gilbert)

The Key People

The first service had four people. One of them was a Nigerian brother, Deji, who had been coming to the campus ministry since 2012, travelling from Pretoria to take part in evangelism. He attended the first official service.

Another early member was a woman who had attended the campus all-night prayers. After seeing a poster about the start of the church, she reached out and came to the service with her daughter. She later opened her home in Umbilo, where the first cell groups were held.

These individuals formed part of the early foundation of the church, with Pastor Gilbert as a key member from the very beginning.

Where the Church Started

The church started at the Howard College Campus Chapel at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, located behind the Student Union building next to the gym entrance. It hosted the first services after the church was established in October 2014.

As more people began to attend, additional meetings were held in Umbilo, where early cell groups took place in the home of one of the members. These gatherings allowed people from the surrounding community to take part.

How the Church Grew

Seasons of Challenge

Finances - securing a venue in our early stages was a real financial challenge.
Rebellion - there was a season when some members maintained an independent spirit, not fully submitted or committed to the work of the church, and criticised fasting and prayer meetings.
Venues - some landlords were not honest. One raised the rent whenever the church bought new instruments or grew in number (Apostle Mike), and a realtor company tried to get us to sign an unfair contract.

Through every season, God remained faithful.

07 · The work of the Holy Spirit

Testimonies

There have been numerous healings and miraculous provisions. In 2013 there were notable experiences during the campus ministry. (Pastor Gilbert)

Healed on campus

A young woman with a plastered leg was walking on crutches. After prayer near the Student Union building, she dropped the crutches and began running.

Provision at the ATM

A young man had forgotten his bank card PIN at a time when entering it incorrectly would mean the ATM swallowing his card. After praying, he entered a new set of numbers - and it worked.

Conclusion

This account serves as an insightful synthesis to inspire future research into the history of Exalted Christ Church International. Thank you to everyone who took part in writing it.