"Sons of Life is a new sound in worship, and they bring a message of life to the nations."
The three brothers - Kobus (Guitar), Johan (Keyboard) and Petrus (Drums) van Rensburg - also joined by Terence van Wyk (Bass), form Sons of Life. Although they only released their first album in February 2014, their roots have been growing for many years.
Romans 8:19 (Amp) For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship].
Born in Klerksdorp and raised in Stilfontein (North West, South Africa), the van Rensburg brothers are the sons of the late Prophet Kobus van Rensburg Snr (co-founder of Spirit Word Ministries and Spirit Word Channel). Their father had been in ministry for over 30 years, and in that time he saw thousands of miracles because of God's grace. Prophet Kobus and Annalise van Rensburg always encouraged their sons to pursue their passions and dreams, and so from a young age they were taken to music lessons. It was evident that there was a higher calling on their lives in the area of music, and they prophesied many things over them in the line of worship music.
In later years, they formed the greater part of the Worship Team at Spirit Word Ministries, where they have the opportunity to minister to thousands of people through their music. The Spirit Word Channel broadcasts all of their services live on air, and Kobus (Senior Pastor), Johan (Worship Leader) and Petrus (Drums; Head of Broadcast), are actively involved in ministering 'Word, Worship and Wonders' to their congregation in the auditorium, as well as to their vast 'TV-land' congregation. The Spirit Word Channel can be viewed through internet streaming, as well as over many different satellite platforms across the world.
The sons met up with Jerry Niswander (founder of Rylan Records; current manager of Sons of Life; former manager of Jesus Culture) early in March 2013 when he accompanied his friend, Darren Wilson (producer of Finger of God and Father of Lights), who was travelling throughout South Africa to minister the love of God through his productions. They visited Spirit Word Ministries with the intention of ministering, but as the Worship Team began to play their music, Niswander said that he felt as though he could listen to them for the entire evening. It reminded him of the early days of Jesus Culture, and he heard something which he knew other people needed to hear.
One thing led to another, and Niswander invited the sons to record an album with Rylan Records. In May 2013 they flew to the USA for the annual Bethel Conference in Redding, California, where they met up with Jeremy Edwardson (producer of Jesus Culture), as well as Niswander, to discuss the album that was to be recorded. In September 2013, Niswander and Jake Hamilton (formerly of Jesus Culture) came to Spirit Word Ministries to discuss the details of the live recording of the album, and Hamilton also ministered with the sons during the Spirit Word Conference. They enjoyed playing together so much that it was decided that Hamilton would be part of their first recording in November 2013. It was also during this time that the sons asked long time friend, Terence van Wyk, to be the bassist of Sons of Life.
Their first album, We Will Fly, was recorded live at Spirit Word Ministries in November 2013 and has been dedicated to their father and best friend, Kobus Snr, who passed away in December 2013. He had always struggled with sickness from a young age, yet when you look at the amazing life he lived, and how many people's lives he touched, he never used sickness as an excuse for anything. He was a man who was passionate about the Word, the Church and his family, and he taught his sons in the ways of God through the way he lived his life completely led by God's Spirit. Jesus Christ came that we might have life in abundance, and this legacy of life continues in his sons. With the release of their album in February 2014, the sons are eager to bring this message of life to the rest of South Africa!
Religious activities without the Spirit of God hurt so many people, and Sons of Life has a burning desire to reach those who couldn't be bothered with the things of God; those who have been burnt by religion, as well as those who just desire more of God's presence in their lives. They are anointed to minister the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of His Word through their music, and their invitation to anyone who is searching for 'life, and life more abundantly' is to simply come.
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"Life has been made to live. You should live to the fullest."