About — Remerge Ministries

How We Began

In 2011, Craig Wilcock and Roland Cohen, Youth Pastors at Durbanville Baptist Church and Connect Church, shared a vision to establish a Summer Camp in Cape Town that would serve Baptist churches across the Western Cape. The first two camps were held in 2011 and 2012 with these two churches, laying the foundation for what would become REMERGE Ministries.

Driven by a shared vision for greater partnership in local youth ministry, REMERGE Ministries was officially launched in 2013 with six founding churches: Durbanville Baptist Church, Connect Church, Linkway Church, The Fellowship Melkbos, and Somerset West Baptist Church. That same year, the first official The Gathering Summer Camp, themed Fractured, was held at Habonim Campsite in Hermanus.

The inspiration for REMERGE grew out of years of involvement in the Baptist Youth South Africa (BYSA) national camp held annually in Kimberley. While these camps were deeply valued, the distance and cost highlighted the need for a local movement where churches could build meaningful relationships throughout the year. From the beginning, REMERGE was envisioned as more than a camp. Alongside a passion to see young people encounter Jesus and experience the work and presence of the Holy Spirit, it would be a partnership that equipped leaders, connected young people, and created opportunities for combined worship gatherings, conferences, and ongoing ministry together.

Following the success of Fractured, REMERGE continued to grow as more churches joined the partnership. Camps moved to Wemmershoek and later to their current home at Bergkroon Faith Centre, while the ministry expanded to include day camps, worship nights, leadership development, and combined youth events throughout the year.

What began as a friendship between a handful of youth pastors has grown into a thriving network of churches united by a shared passion: to see young people encounter Jesus, be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and transform their communities together. Today, the REMERGE network includes Connect Church, Linkway Church, Somerset West Baptist Church, The Fellowship Melkbos, God and City Church and Christ Church Kenilworth.