Early Life 

Growing up in South Afiica I was blessed to be surrounded by a loving Christian, covenantal family. Throughout my childhood, I witnessed God’s love and grace in the lives of my mother and father. This gradually led me to a ‘Timothy experience’ as God led me to realise that Christ was my only hope in life. And since then I have experienced His love and direction throughout my life and also His chastisement as I strayed from and doubted my position in Christ at times. As a young man, I had a thirst for learning. After completing my undergraduate degree in chemical engineering, I stayed on to complete my master’s degree. During this time, I met Ronel at the church youth group. As you may know, we have been married for more than 38 years now.

A Working Man

I spent 14 years working as a chemical engineer in South Africa. First, as an engineer at the Atomic Energy Corporation, developing alternative uranium enrichment processes, then as a manager in a facility developing thrusters and fuel for satellites.

Three years into my career as an engineer. I was conscripted to serve in the South Afiican Army. Here I was to serve, and at times be challenged for 2 years in many different capacities including engineering, infantry, intelligence, vehicle maintenance and even as a chef. Despite its many challenges, this experience opened my eyes to the many different personalities, backgrounds, and the sometimes ignorant and twisted views people have of God. I think I had been rather naive in this regard until this time.

Becoming a Family

Ronel and I were blessed with 5 children. The unrest in South Africa was becoming more and more evident at the time. We feared for the safety of our children and Ronel and I made the decision to emigrate to Australia in January 1995. Leaving the only home we had ever known, our loving family and our dear fiiends behind to build a life far from anything familiar was a truly difficult process. On our arrival in Australia God provided yet again Through His grace we were welcomed into a loving Church family. Despite having nothing (our container with all our belongings lost at sea for months!) we were always provided for.

A New Home

In Australia, I continued my chemical engineering work at UQ with some practical work in Mount Isa before accepting a position as a teacher in the Sunshine Coast in 1997. For the next 13 years, I taught at 3 different Christian schools in Queensland. I had a passion for curriculum development and during my time teaching, I was honoured to experience the roles of teacher, deputy principal and acting principal at various times. During these years we welcomed 3 more children to our family and some of the older children left for university and to start their own families. Looking back, I can see how God used all these experiences to prepare me for what was to come.

Called to Serve

In 2009, after years of quiet resistance, I finally relented and succumbed to the clear call to serve God in a different capacity and started my studies to become a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. This time was not without its challenges. At the end of my first year at QTC, I fell off a ladder while cleaning the gutters and broke my knee. Family challenges seemed to be rampant and many times the relentless challenges led me to question if this was really where God wanted me to be. Often in these times of struggle and doubt, the words ‘It is well with my Soul” were brought to my mind as God continued to sustain and strengthen me during each trial. This beautiful hymn reminded me of His unfailing love.

After 2 years as a student minister in Maleny I came to Browns plains to finish my studies and, as you know, this is where we continue to serve our Lord. Throughout my life, God has blessed and sustained my spirit through music and a love for learning more and striving to understand the order in God’s creation. This thirst for understanding God’s creation drove me, first to engineering and science, to understand His world, then gave me a passion to share this knowledge and awe with others as a teacher and finally to share and teach the great truths of God’s revealed will from the Scriptures with fellow brothers and sisters as well as the lost world. One of the greatest lessons God has taught me in my life thus far is never to doubt His unfailing love. Even though the word may appear to be in total chaos, even though our personal situations may seem to be going up smoke, God’s promises are true and His sovereign decrees will carry His children through.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)