SIM South Africa

Who We Are

From Cape Town to Gauteng — a global mission family rooted in the Rainbow Nation, serving communities where Christ is least known.

More than 4,000 workers.
70 countries.
One purpose.

SIM is made up of more than 4,000 currently active workers serving in nearly 70 countries. Our multi-cultural, multi-skilled teams serve on every continent except Antarctica.

SIM workers are international themselves, representing about 70 nationalities. We are an evangelical mission agency, working with churches around the world. Our multi-cultural workers are sent by churches to share the good news of Jesus Christ in communities where He is least known.

In South Africa, SIM's multi-cultural team has offices in Cape Town, Durban (uMhlanga), and Gauteng (Edenvale), close to many communities who do not yet know Jesus. We seek to partner with churches to mobilise workers into communities where Christ is least known — both in South Africa and overseas.

Our History

A nation of extraordinary diversity — and extraordinary need.

South Africa's "Rainbow Nation" is home to 11 official languages, dozens of ethnic communities, and some of the world's deepest contrasts of wealth and poverty. In this complex, beautiful land, SIM walks alongside local churches to bring lasting hope — not as outsiders, but as neighbours.

Cape Town

PO Box 30027, Tokai 7966
+27 (0) 21-715-3200

Serving the Western Cape — from Cape Flats communities to rural outreach.

Durban (uMhlanga)

KwaZulu-Natal region

Engaging Zulu-speaking communities and diverse urban neighbourhoods along the coast.

Gauteng (Edenvale)

Johannesburg metro area

Reaching migrants, refugees, and underserved townships in the economic heartland of SA.

"Convinced that no one in South Africa should live and die without hearing God's good news, we believe he has called SIM South Africa to make disciples of Jesus Christ in communities where he is least known — and to send South Africans to do the same among the nations."

SIM South Africa Purpose & Mission Statement

SIM South Africa is both a
sending and receiving entity.

As a sending entity, SIM South Africa recruits, equips, and sends South African workers into ministries here at home and among the nations. As a receiving entity, SIM South Africa welcomes and supports missionaries sent from other SIM offices around the world to serve alongside us in South Africa. Both callings flow from the same purpose — seeing communities where Christ is least known transformed by the gospel.

The vision of SIM is to see a witness to Christ's love where He is least known.

In the World

  • A vibrant testimony to the gospel through character, word and action among communities where Jesus is least known.
  • Followers of Jesus living out the gospel in unity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • Churches serving their communities and reaching out with the gospel locally and globally.

In SIM

  • A community growing in faith, in obedience to Jesus, and in ministry competence.
  • Multi-ethnic and multi-skilled teams serving together in love and harmony.
  • Effective partnerships with Christ-centred churches and organisations.

In Eternity

  • The redeemed from all tribes, languages, peoples and nations worshipping the living God.

"By faith we see the redeemed from every nation worshipping the living God."

What we believe
and how we live it

The Core Values of SIM are accepted by all national branches worldwide. They shape how we work, live, and serve together.

Committed to Biblical Truth

We are committed to biblical truth and joyfully affirm historic, evangelical Christianity. With courage, we declare to the nations the good news of new life in Jesus Christ.

Dependent on God

"By Prayer" and in faith we depend on God for the provision of all our needs. We demonstrate diligence, integrity, sharing, and accountability in cultivating and using the resources God provides.

A People of Prayer

Prayer is foundational in our life and ministry. "By Prayer" we praise God, seek his direction, request resources, and call upon the Holy Spirit to empower our ministries.

Mission-Focused

We are committed to the urgent and unfinished task of making disciples of Jesus Christ in all nations, working in loving, trusting, interdependent relationships with churches and partners.

Church-Centred

We are committed to being a Mission that begins, nurtures, and equips churches to be the expression of Christ in their communities and to reach out with cross-cultural missionary vision.

Concerned About Human Needs

We humbly acknowledge that the ultimate human need is to know God. We also believe He has called us to compassionate, holistic service by alleviating suffering and fostering development.

A Christ-like Community

We desire to be a transforming community dedicated to becoming like Christ in love, servanthood, holiness, and obedience to the Father — even in sacrifice and hardship.

A Learning, Growing Community

We believe in the worth and giftedness of each person. We practise the giving and receiving of discipleship, life-long learning, consultative leadership, and mutual development.

Strengthened Through Diversity

We are intentionally interdenominational, international, and multiethnic. We believe this expresses the unity of the body of Christ and makes us more effective in ministry.

Responsive to Our Times

We respond with creativity and courage to evolving needs and opportunities under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our ministries and structures are subject to ongoing evaluation.

All the different gifts
are needed in this place

SIM South Africa's ministries focus on pressing issues — poverty, homelessness, discrimination, refugee crises, gender-based violence, and lack of education — always in partnership with local churches. From evangelism to administration, every gift has a role in this holistic approach to mission.

Evangelism

Sharing the Gospel with atheists, animists, Hindus and Muslims, Zulus, Chinese and Pakistanis — in communities throughout South Africa where Christ is least known.

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Discipleship & Teaching

Regular Bible classes in townships, small group Bible studies, local church support, and teaching at Union Bible College and seminaries across the region.

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Healthcare & Clinics

Serving in hospitals, clinics, and orphanages — particularly at Mseleni in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where medical care, witnessing, and church involvement go hand-in-hand.

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Children's Ministry

Ministries to the growing number of children — often among the most vulnerable and the most open to the gospel — across both urban and rural South Africa.

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Refugee & Migrant Ministry

Reaching the growing numbers of refugees from sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, and foreign workers in the mining industry, who are often neglected but deeply valued by God.

Church Engagement

Starting, nurturing, and equipping local churches to be the expression of Christ in their communities, and reaching out with cross-cultural missionary vision.

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Trauma Healing

Walking alongside individuals and communities carrying deep hurt, offering biblically-grounded care and a path toward healing in Christ.

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Art Therapy

Using creative and expressive arts to help people process trauma and grief, and to encounter God's love in ways words alone cannot reach.

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Training & Leadership

Equipping pastors and lay leaders through formal and informal training — including the role of librarian at Union Bible College as an expression of this ministry.

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Leadership & Administration

Those called to ministries of leadership and administration play an essential supporting role — sustaining the team that serves on the front lines of mission.

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The Ministry of Giving

Supporting missionaries sacrificially, whether through prayer, finances, or practical care — a calling as important as any other in the body of Christ.

Ready to join
the mission?

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