Pastor Gershom Saayman was born and raised in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. A devoted husband to his high school sweetheart, Pastor Michelle, and father to their two wonderful children, Matthew and Micah. Gershom’s life is a living testimony of obedience to the call of God and the faithfulness that follows surrender.
Having studied Information Technology, Gershom worked at Business Connexion for over 12 years, ultimately serving as an IT Service Manager. But beneath the corporate success, a deeper calling stirred within his heart and that’s a desire to serve God with undivided devotion. Together with Pastor Michelle who faithfully served as a Sunday school teacher and home cell leader. They led and discipled others through their local church, Mount Hope in Mitchell’s Plain under the leadership of Dr. Alfonso Schilder.
In pursuit of God’s plan, Pastor Gershom took a bold step and enrolled in part-time theological studies at the Cape Town Baptist Seminary. Yet it was in 2018 that a divine shift occurred. In radical obedience, the Saayman family began to let go of possessions that God revealed were tying them down in bondage. They started selling their mortgage properties, focussing on debt elimination When they realized what the call was they started to sell their car, their motorcycle, their boat and giving away furniture and other household items with only knowing in part that it was the beginning of a new journey of faith and freedom.
It was during a family holiday to Florida USA in 2018 that a divine appointment with Pastor Derek Golding at The River Tampa Bay Church changed everything. It was there where he introduced to Pastor Gershom and his family to the River University and the ministry of Pastors Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne. That was the moment the family received confirmation of what God had been preparing them for. Pastor Gershom was later accepted into River University a few months later and in a matter of weeks he resigned from his corporate position and informed his local church that God was calling them to the U.S. Soon after their arrival in the USA Pastor Michelle also received a scholarship at the University.
Their children flourished in homeschooling co-ops with the other families of the Pastoral leaders. The Saayman’s as what some of the lecturers called them at times were immersed in the fire of revival. It was there where the Lord blessed them with the opportunity to travelled to over 26 States and experiencing many life changing impartations.
After three years of training, transformation, and divine encounters, the Saayman’s returned to South Africa with a renewed vision where they launched River Mount Hope. The name was chosen because of their spiritual roots at Mount Hope Church in Mitchell’s Plain and the global anointing of The River Church in Tampa, Florida. Their heartbeat is to see lives transformed through the tangible presence of God through the preaching, teaching and demonstrating the Gospel fully equipping of all believers.
In addition to ministry they established a business called Nation Shakers PTY (LTD) which was inspired by their travels across the U.S. They also registered River Mount Hope Centre which is a registered Public Benefit Organization that offers donors a tax deductible opportunity as is Section 18A compliant. All of what they do is to invest in Kingdom work through impacting families and communities.
Today Pastor Gershom writes with passion and purpose blending corporate experience together with spiritual insight and personal testimony. His books carry a prophetic edge and are crafted to inspire you, to encourage you, and stir hunger within you for God’s voice. Whether through stories of surrender, divine encounters, or practical wisdom, his heart is to see readers encounter God through every page and be forever changed. Amen
“May the words you read be more than ink on paper; may they be seeds of revival in your heart.” Gershom Saayman
