SAOP Vision
This outreach effort has its origins in the relocation of one the Elders of the Genessee Ave. congregation in Columbus, Ohio to South Africa. Roger Madison, Jr. served the Genessee Ave. congregation as an Elder from September 1991 until March 1995, when he and his wife, Joyce, relocated to Pretoria, South Africa with the IBM Corporation.

In South Africa, the Madisons discovered the church of our Lord thriving in the most challenging of circumstances. The affects of the former Apartheid regime had a devastating impact on the development of the Black and Coloured population. In spite of the harsh discrimination, the church survived. The Madisons committed themselves to a missionary effort to strengthen the church in previously disadvantaged communities surrounding Pretoria.

The vision for the SAOP is motivated by the desire to establish an active relationship between South African and African American congregations of the church of Christ. It is not intended to exclude any congregation that desires to participate in this effort. However, it seeks to share the strengths and common heritage that has resulted from the struggles of people of color to obtain freedom in both countries. The common doctrine we share in the practice of our faith in Jesus Christ serves as a call to all men to serve him and support the work of the faithful in South Africa.

The SAOP is a not-for-profit organization established in the USA and also in South Africa in 1996. The SAOP, USA is under the oversight of the Elders at Genessee Ave. in Columbus, Ohio. The SAOP, South Africa is under the oversight of the Elders at Soshanguve, South Africa.

Our hope for the future is linked directly to the hope for the New Democratic South Africa. The freedom and opportunity which have come with the release of the chains of Apartheid, also provides an opportunity for growth of the kingdom. We thank God for your support of our vision.