I used to travel a lot for work and slept quite a few nights in Newcastle, at one of the brother’s homes.  We all spent many wonderful hours fellowshipping and talking about the Word. 

One day I mentioned to bro Steve that I believed Elihu, in the book of Job, was Christ, and he later told me that he preached 21 sermons on that subject. I remember thinking, How could you preach that many sermons on a subject?!

After listening to his sermons now during lockdown, I know how he could preach that many sermons! And I love every one of them. He did as the prophet said, and dovetailed everything through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelations, to make the picture clear.

After I left Ladysmith we lost contact for a good many years, but last year I managed to get hold of him again. Sadly there was only a year of fellowship, before he was taken Home, but I cherish those few months. I’ve enjoyed the messages he preached and felt the Spirit in them. They have greatly blessed and strengthened me. He preached in great simplicity. 

Our brother was totally dedicated to the Word, and gave his whole life for it. His reward will be great. I miss him, but we will meet again.

God bless you all.

Bro Billy Jones

My Dearest Uncle Steve,

My Pastor- The most important part of my life has got to be my relationship with the Lord Jesus, everything I do, decisions I take, in my victory and in my defeat God stands firm- this stems from a solid foundation, upbringing and teaching under Pastor Steve, my roots are unbreakable because of the Labour Pastor Steve put in the Word.

My Uncle Steve- (The Crowned One) Maybe Uncle Steve made everyone feel like his favorite, but I certainly believed I was! From marrying my parents (Mike and Sabera) to dedicating me as a baby, doing my 21st, burying my sister and mother, marrying Jo-ann and Eugene and just always guiding and praying for me. What the world may class as weakness in personality trait or complexities- Uncle Steve would turn that into a positive. He always told me my name Berenice meant Victorious and he constantly reminded me that that’s going to be the outcome in everything. 

I can’t imagine life now, making big decisions are going to be so difficult because I knew that you were genuine in your prayers, and I held on to your advice so much. 

Thank you for never missing a birthday, a significant day in my life and just checking in on me daily. Thank you for loving me and my family, believing in my darkest days that there’s still a Light within me. Thank you for never judging, always listening and being so selfless. You longed for this day, you spoke about Sweet Beulah land and now I promise to stay Victorious, to stay true to every teaching and to continue the race until Jesus comes. 

I love you, honour you, salute you and will miss you the most my GREATEST OF ALL TIME. 

From Berenice Slater (Victorious)

When i heard that my Uncle had passed away, I went through a myriad of emotions and it eventually ended with anger. I was angry that such a wonderful man was plucked away from us. Why him? I was angry that my son Stellan didn’t get to grow up under Papa’s guiding hand. But, after many tears, I realised that Uncle Steve had already impacted on 8year old Stel, that he wants to be just like his Papa. Usually a little boy wants to emulate Superman or Spiderman, but to my boy, Papa was his superhero…and even if he isn’t with us anymore, he has already left behind so much of himself.

Growing up in Durban we looked forward to my uncle coming from Newcastle and packing all the kids into his car and taking us out on fun outings. We loved it. Those were my earliest memories of him. He introduced us to the Message when we were youngsters. I was always amazed at how this quiet soft-spoken calm man could step behind a pulpit and with the Word bring grown men to their knees in tears. But, that same man, whose voice thundered out from behind the pulpit, was the most modest and shy when he was paid a compliment. He would just smile and coyly put his head down… uncomfortable with the attention.

I looked to my Uncle for so much and admit that I took him for granted, expecting him to always be around for us. He set the bar really high for us all. He loved us…mistakes and all. And never judged.

I will always remember his dry sense of humour. He would call me Scarce, instead of Kess, if he didn’t see me around for a bit. I wish we could have him back for just for a day, but then a day would not be enough.

Thank you Uncle Steve for all that you taught me, for the advice, for the unconditional love, for being a dad to me and for the Word you preached and lived. I will always love you and make sure we live our lives honouring the Word.

“The reason Pastor that you mean so much to me is that when I look at you, its Jesus I see. For in your footsteps I gratefully trod because I know that in following you, I am following God.”

Till we meet at Jesus feet…

With all my love,

Kess

Almost 15 yrs ago I fell from our church roof and was an in coma for almost a week. It was then when Brother Steve said; something led him to come and stand alongside me. Ever since then our friendship grew in leaps and bounds. Almost every week for a decade and half I sat at his feet gleaning words of wisdom and truth. Oh how privileged I was to spend time with him and Sister Jenny. I often told him that the crumbs of his table were a full banquet by any standard. As for his understanding of the Word and the Message no one came even close. No single individual had such an impact on my life and ministry like this Great Gentle Giant. Knowing I was a Full Gospel Pentecostal Preacher he never once imposed his beliefs on me. I would often joke with him that I learnt more from him than in all my years at Bible College.

He was World renown, well respected and in huge demand but to me he was my father, my friend, my companion, my guide, my confidant and so much more. In Summation, I best describe this awesome man, the closest I’ve ever seen to the Lord Jesus in the flesh as follows, ‘I DON’T NEED TO BE WERE I’M WANTED, I WANT TO BE WHERE I’M NEEDED.’ Thus he would turn down many international preaching invitations until he felt led. Like Jesus he who go out of his way for one woman at the well. He truly made everyone he crossed parts with feel special and loved and I had the best of that. He fathered and mentored me second to none which I’m eternally indebted. I love you Brother Steve with all my heart. I feel so lost and alone but I know we’ll meet again on the other side. I salute you. Now you can rest from your Labours.

Your son in the Faith.

Pastor Desmond Gabriel

As we all know, the prophet told us that we’re in the Third Exodus and this time it’s a Church coming out of a church. Just like the first Exodus, there were only two who really could believe the reality of the Word for that day, so I believe that our precious brother Steve Francis was part of that very small minority who wasn’t afraid of saying exactly what the Lord revealed to him for this very moment. It wasn’t always popular, but he held up the Word without any fear. 

May our Lord Jesus strengthen and comfort our dear sister Jennifer and the rest of the family. We salute our precious brother for the stand he took with the Revealed Word of the Hour. 

From Br Alray, sis Ronel and our little flock. Shalom

To The Francis Family

Though there are many things I would like to say, I will only mention a few words that come to mind as I think of our founding pastor: Pastor Steven Francis. 

Very Few people can handle the accolades of their peers while not letting it go to their heads was Pastor Francis. Without one reservation, Pastor Francis was one of the few. He was always giving credit to Jesus for everything good and taking credit for what goes wrong.

Through the years, and when I say years I mean years: ever since my mother was divorced and I was born Pastor Francis stood by us during his ministry in Newcastle, was the foundation for our upbringing and developing the Character we are today.  He was there always ready to listen to what you have to say and supported us during life’s struggle. God’s Grace was instilled in him.

Pastor Francis did not changed, one iota. He did not stick his finger to the wind to figure out what to preach. He faithfully preached what God told him to preach. I have never known my pastor to preach anything contrary to the Scriptures and the Message of the Hour. A faithful and honest Man of God.

Though I have not been what I ought to have been through the years, I have the greatest respect for Pastor Francis on earth. Many a day have I sat down and contemplated the privilege to grow up under a ministry like “Spoken Word Fellowship”. Praise God for a Pastor and Brother S. Francis, may his soul rest in peace with God.

Condolences to Francis Family

From Brother Niranjan, Neisha and Family

Shalom Saints of the Most High

Allow me as the least amongst the brethren to say from the bottom of my heart few words in

honouring my humble Pastor Steve.

I met Br Steve in 1988 in Soweto as a young man who had just come into the message. The first sermon I heard him preach was on the Godhead. The way this sermon had an impact in my life I still today remember exactly what he said, So much so that it became part of my notes in my later years when I preach the Godhead or testify. I then began to follow him every time when he was coming to Johannesburg even though I could only catch a little.

In 2005 when I was in the wilderness at the lowest ebb of my life after having been labelled Lucifer by the church I served for over 10years as a deacon and a minster. l visited Br Steve for a week. Br Steve really picked me up from the dungeon by quotes and The Word. I left Newcastle a week later charged and much more determined to serve God.

When coming to preach The Word I say; there will never be one like him -God gave it to him alone.He had a way of bringing out nuggets from the Old Testament so meticulously. He was very thorough in following up his subject and showing all that throughout the scriptures. He had so much depth of the message that he was a walking Message encyclopedia. He was the epitome of the message. Never joked in the pulpit. Not ashamed to confess before the

congregation, yet a pastor. He drove many to tears with this during his church dedication.

He lived the message throughout his life. Ever dedicated as a daily student of the Message.

He was never shaken by any winds of doctrine in the message community. Always willing to learn and be corrected BUT it has to be by THE WORD. If not by The Word -You will be found wanting. I will forever cherish the messages and the quotes he sent to us with such love every time. He preached the message without compromise and still shrouded in humility. We called each other Kurulus I called him senior Kurulus and he called me junior Kurulas – Kurulus means an establishment (an established Elder) -Br Steve was an establishment (household brand) of this message.

He was a man who brought dignity to the MESSAGE wherever he went. When the news of Kurulus ‘passing on hit me. I was shuttered and became a child with tears not stopping down on my cheeks. I cried “My father, My Father, The chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof “

For if there ever was a man that ever-represented THIS MESSAGE OF CHRIST truthfully and was a

true apostle, it was Rev Steve Francis, clean, straight, real Gospel, it was Br Steve.

He was my mentor, father, pastor, confidant with big heart filled with love.

Though he told me for the last three years he has been saying “I am just so tired”.

I now know what he meant by being tired and I still cannot accept that my pastor is no more. My Pastor wanted to be with His maker and he is no longer tired. There will NEVER be anyone like him. He was one in a million. I will meet him in the morning.

May God rest the soul of my gallant Pastor in peace. A great hero of the battle has gone on. May God grant comfort to his lovely wife, sister Jenney and family

Br Dipalo Modibedi and Family

Centurion Believers Assembly

Pastor Steve was a giver, he gave his life to the members of the church and he blessed us with the message.

Our family loved Pastor Steve, as one would love a father. He would always take the time to stop and check up on us. He was a crucial part in drawing us closer to the Lord and that is a gift above all gifts. 

We are incredibly grateful for our pastor and the way he impacted each and every one of us, individually.

We wish we had more time with you but God needs you more, we love you and miss you tremendously. 

Rest in peace Pastor Steve, until we meet again.

From Brother Norman and Family

We miss you, our loving pastor, brother and best friend. You were always there for us, always encouraging us for the past 47 years.

You heard the call, you ran the race, you went the extra mile and God said it’s time to come home, my son. Our special moments together was when we got saved, you shared many precious words with us that we shall always remember.

There’s tons I can say but time is short. 

Shalom Pastor Steve Francis

From Tyrone and Pam

Bro Steve and Sis Jenny always remembered our birthdays, with lovely gifts every year. The gift for my 70th birthday in June this year has been over and above. They delivered it personally. It’s highly appreciated.

Rest in peace dear pastor!!

From: Sis Melody & family