Johan SlabbertPhoto: Dieter Smit
Johan and Ilze married in 1985 while they were still students. Johan studied Electrical Engineering and Ilze Social Work. They have four children, namely Janie, Talitha, Christiaan and Joshua. They were active in Christian ministry and missions during their time at University, participating in a number of mission trips, outreaches, and church building projects.
Johan worked as an Engineer for more than a decade, and Ilze taught Social Work at various tertiary institutions, such as Technikon RSA, UNISA and UCT (she is currently lecturing at Stellenbosch University). Throughout this time, they were active in youth work, evangelistic outreach, missions, camps, visitation and counselling in various churches.
As the years went by, the desire enter into full-time ministry became a burning passion. In 1996 during a message by Patrick Johnstone of Operation World, Johan’s clear call to ministry was confirmed by way of God’s word in Revelation 12:11:
They (the believers) overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Shortly thereafter, Johan entered into four years of theological studies at George Whitefield College and the Bible Institute of South Africa. Since 2000, Johan and Ilze have served as the pastoral couple in two churches. The first of these was a non-denominational church.
Since 2008 they have been serving at Brackenfell Community Church, a reformed evangelical church.
Their passion is the studying and teaching the Word of God and to reach out to people who are lost, and they love to be around the people of God. Further, they are interested in apologetics and discourse with people from different religions, philosophical persuasions and lifestyles. They wholeheartedly believe that the Bible has the answers that mankind is looking for. They are excited to serve at BCC and love the multi-ethnic background as well as the warm and loving fellowship.