I was born in 1975 in Johannesburg, baptised in the Church of Peace (then Friedenskirche) in Hillbrow, and later confirmed in the North Rand Congregation (Thomaskirche) in Bryanston. From childhood, I was drawn to the gospel through children’s ministries such as Jungschar and youth camps.

At the age of 13, during a profound Good Friday experience, a question arose that has shaped my life on personal, emotional, intellectual and theological levels: “What is the significance of the cross of Christ?” This question – and my lifelong search for answers – has accompanied me throughout my faith journey and ultimately led me to study theology. I began my theological studies at 19, and they took a long time (happily so!), because I simply loved them. After completing the Bachelor of Theology, I went on to do a Master’s and then a Doctorate.

Over ten years of study, I spent most of my time in Pietermaritzburg, with formative periods in Berkeley (USA) and Berlin (Germany). After completing my internship at the Christuskirche in Windhoek, I began my pastoral ministry at New Germany Lutheran Church. By then, my husband Rainer and I were married. When our daughter Sarah was born, we moved to Germany for several years, where our son Aron was also born.

We returned to Johannesburg for five years, during which I taught German and Religion at two schools. In 2016, we accepted a call to the St. Martini congregation in Cape Town. I became a pastor of ELCSA (Cape), after previously serving in ELCSA (NT) – now NELCSA. After seven years at St. Martini, I chose to take a break from full-time congregational ministry in order to focus more intentionally on the needs of my family. In 2023 we relocated to Plettenberg Bay.

Since October 2024, I have been tasked with training and equipping the laity of our church. It is a great privilege and joy to carry out this work with our synod’s approval in a 50% post for the next three years.

In 2025 I offered Year 1 of the “Preacher Training / Faith Course”, whose primary aim is to equip laypeople to preach and/or lead divine services. Some participants, however, attend simply out of interest – to deepen their understanding of our faith and theology. In 2026 I will be offering Year 2 of the course.

Topics covered in

YEAR 1 include:

• What is the Bible, and how do we read it?
• What is theology, and how do we “do” theology?
• The Lutheran Confessions
• What Lutherans believe and teach

Practical modules offered in

YEAR 2 include:

• The Divine Service
• Preaching
• The Sacraments
• Teaching
• Pastoral care
• Personal faith development
• Leadership in the church

Anyone who would like to find out more about the course is warmly invited to contact me.