PETRA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Manager
- Manager
Ann Engelbrecht became Petra Institute's Human Resources Manager on 1 March 2021.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- in 2020 As Coordinator
Annelie Fouché joined Petra Institute in 2020 as Coordinator: Digital Marketing in a freelancing capacity. She manages all of our social media (content, design and management) and other digital marketing efforts, including research and consultation.
Working in close collaboration with Laetitia Bull (Coordinator: Communication), she was responsible for spearheading the project management, content curation and launch of our new website.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Anneline Fortuin (known to all as ‘Memmie') has been a Training Facilitator with Petra Institute since 2010.
She recently became a pastor of a small church.
She is married to Coert Fortuin and mother of two, Curtney and Caleb and the proud grandmother of little Curtley.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Bernard Joubert was appointed as Managing Director of Petra Institute in January 2020. Him and his wife, Chrismaré attended a three-month course at Petra Institute in 1997.
He was instrumental in starting the De Doorns Campus, which initially functioned independently from the Institute. Bernard also initiated Children's Mission in Ukraine which has been key in conducting training and raising leaders in various Russian-speaking countries.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Facilitator: Ethical Fundraising
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Coordinator: Online Relational Children's Ministry | Online Relational Family Ministry Courses
After working with children with learning problems as an Occupational Therapist for seven years, Carine became part of our writers and facilitator team in 1994.
For Carine, joining Petra Institute was an act of answering a clear calling. She describes being on Petra Institute's staff as "an honour to live out my calling among humble people who truly love God".
She loves writing and wrote 75% of our current Online Children's and Family Ministry Courses. Carine is passionate about making our courses available online and is responsible for updating and keeping the Online Course material contextual. She also mentors the team of Assessors and Facilitators that take part in the Online Courses.
Carine lives in Pierre van Ryneveld in Pretoria. She enjoys gardening, nature, crafts, and spending time with family and friends. She is a firm believer that whatever the challenges, the best way to handle it is to take it to God in prayer.
Carli Basson served in youth and children's ministry for more or less 5 years across South Africa in local churches as an active church member. She started working with the management of our database at the end of 2023.
Based in Somerset West, Carli is happily married to Francois.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator South Africa Training Facilitator
Carlé Jonker has been a training facilitator at Petra Institute since January 2000. She is responsible for assisting partners with a strategic vision within South Africa, to build communities where children are welcomed, served, and guided in their relationship with Jesus Christ. She promotes awareness of ministry to children, equipping and mentoring the leadership of various children's ministries at various levels and contexts within South Africa.
Based in Garsfontein, Pretoria, Carlé and husband Jorrie, are parents to Lané and Simoné. Jorrie is a children's pastor at Living Word Centurion. Their heart is to make an impact in the Lord's Kingdom globally. Their daughters both love Jesus and it is a joy to parent them and learn from them.
Carlé's motto is, the more people, the more wisdom. She loves teamwork. Their family dream is touring the world and visiting different children's ministries in different countries. They are a learning family and love to learn from other people, cultures, and customs. They also try to stay active.
Get in touch with Carlé to learn more about the work of Petra Institute in South Africa (consultation for children's ministries, assistance with the development of strategies and curriculums, training their volunteers, and networking with different leaders in the field of children's ministry).
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Christa has been on staff at Petra Institute since January 2000. She was involved in an administrative capacity for four years. In June 2004, she moved to the De Doorns, Western Cape campus, where she switched over to the Training Department.
Since then she has been operating as one of our Training Facilitators all over Western, Eastern, and Northern Cape. She finished additional studies in Pastoral Counselling and provides counselling at local schools for children who are referred to her because of trauma or who are struggling with behavioural problems.
She coordinates a pilot project with MathMoms in schools where they train volunteer mothers to help children understand the foundations of maths better, whilst also counselling them. They started with one school, but hope to obtain the necessary funding to enable them to expand to the other primary schools in the valley.
Christa is based in the De Doorns, Hex River Valley, Western Cape where she has been assisting with the administrative side of the De Doorns Campus for the past 19 years.
Get in contact with Christa to learn more about our Walking with Wounded Course that is offered annually during April, or if you are interested in getting involved in your local schools to assist children with behavioural problems or mathematics.
Courtney Hendricks has been a Training Facilitator with Petra Institute since 2016.
Courtney and his wife, Monika Hendricks relocated to Zambia in 2020 to expand the footprint of Petra Institute and to help build communities where children are welcome.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Project Leader at the Ethiopian Gospel Believers Church
- Training Facilitator
Dietmar and his wife Magriet are project leaders for Back to the Bible Mission (BBM) in Barberton that equips students.
Dietmar is also the project leader at the Ethiopian Gospel Believers Church in Booysens, Johannesburg, where him and his team assists with the training of pastors and children's workers and mentoring team members.
Both Dietmar and Magriet act as mentors for the Online Relational Children's Ministry Course.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Research: Theological Projects | Training Facilitator
Dr Viola Fransman is her parents' youngest daughter. She loves God and is passionate about journeying with people who wish to create spaces where children are loved and welcomed.
She also loves mission stories and moist chocolate cake. Says Viola: "Petra Institute afforded me the opportunity to study and live my passion for God, children and communities. I have a PhD in Practical Theology, hence my love for research."
Dr. Sonia Swart was trained as a pastoral counsellor. One of her strengths is learning. She obtained a PhD (Pastoral), Practical Theology from NWU in 2018. The Swart family joined Petra Institute in 1994.
Since then, Sonia has been involved with different in-contact and online training. Since 2016, she has been acting as one of our Investment Facilitators (fundraising.) She is also involved as a mentor within the online Relational Children's Ministry Course.
Sonia's passion hobby is writing. Her articles have been published on various platforms.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator: Consultation Services
Emily Dinhira has been a Training Facilitator with Petra Institute since January 2015 and became Coordinator of the Training Department in February 2018.
Emily has been a part of compiling an impact study with four other colleagues. She is passionate about equipping others with skills to manage trauma and speaking to church and community leaders about the place and value of children in the church, and in the community.
Emily is based in White River with her two adult children, Faith and Divine, who she raised after both their parents passed on.
Get in touch with Emily to learn more about the courses we offer at Petra Institute and possible collaborations.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Regional Coordinator: East Africa Research, Theological Projects
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Facilitator: Ethical Fundraising
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Griet Nel has been involved with the management of our database since November 1995.
She is also involved in the sending process of the printed Petra newsletters, proofreading and other administrative tasks.
Based in White River, Griet is wife to Altus.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Hannes Pieterse has been a Training Facilitator at Petra Institute since January 2017. He took up the position as Financial Manager in 2020.
Hannes is a partner in his own accounting firm, based in Centurion with a wide range of clients, including NGOs, trusts and companies.
Hannes is married to Lize and father to Ruben and twin daughters, Charlize and Lizelle.
Get in touch with Hannes to learn more about how you can get involved with Petra Institute to build communities where children are welcome
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Jenni has been a Training Facilitator with Petra Institute since April 2018.
She finds joy in training and being involved in networking, and consulting, as well as advocacy and intergenerational workshops in Gqeberha.
Jenni is the mother of two and grandmother of four.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Research: Theological Projects | Training Facilitator
After serving for fifteen years in two congregations as a pastor, Johan joined the research team of Petra Institute in 1996. He is a passionate researcher and participated in the writing on how to connect with children.
Johan has also a Master's degree in Practical Theology. His empirical research was done on the role of Christian festivals in the faith formation of children. He is also busy with a PhD on reading the Book of Joel through the lens of children and has a special interest in intergenerational ministry and the spirituality of pre-school children.
Johan and his wife Lenda lives in Strand in the Western Cape. He is an enthusiastic jogger and loves hiking with his seven grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Communication Coordinator
Laetitia, youngest of four children, grew up in Sasolburg in the Free State. After attending Technicon, she worked at the Land Bank in Pretoria for eight years and then in Ermelo for five years, where she met Rev. Johan du Preez, founder of Petra Institute.
On 1 April 1989, when Petra Institute (then Children's Evangelist Training Institute or CET) opened its doors in Ermelo, Laetitia joined Rev. Johan du Preez in the ministry assisting with administrative work and communication. In 1994, she attended Africa School of Missions and returned to the Institute in 1995 as communication liaison.
Laetitia is the Communication Coordinator at Petra Institute and serves as secretary to the Strategic Leadership. She is also the co-author of Destined to be change-agents - ‘Ordinary' people serving significantly.
Laetitia loves spoiling guests with good, hearty meals and having good, long conversations around the table. Her life motto: Nothing is impossible for God! And she can testify to the truth of that.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Linette joined Petra Institute early 2019 to assist with financial administration. With her background as audit and debtors/creditors clerk, she is able to ease the workload.
Linette raised three sons, Jacques, Henri and Eugene as a single mom, and has three grandchildren - all boys. Her son Henri passed away in 2019.
Says Linette: "I enjoy working at Petra Institute together with my wonderful colleagues and I have learned so much since I came here."
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Training Facilitator l Coordinator: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Lize Pieterse has been a Training Facilitator at Petra Institute since January 2020.
She recently compiled our impact study and is passionate about research and applying knowledge and experience to grow confidence in leaders (ministries, families, and children) to live their Godly calling with hope.
Lize has been responsible for coordinating the monitoring, evaluation, and learning at Petra since October 2023. She collaborates with project leaders to develop a theory of change process, planning how the activities will lead to the intended outcomes and impacts in response to the problem.
Based in Centurion, Lize is a wife to Hannes and mom to Ruben and twin daughters, Charlize and Lizelle).
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- Administration
Manie Loubser joined Petra Institute in December 1993. At that stage, the name of the Institute was Children's Evangelism Training Institute (CET). He later took up the position as Manager: Finance & Administration where his responsibilities included acting as the Secretariat of the Board of Basilea (Petra Institute's Governing Body), financial management and accounting, general administration of the Institute, and Human Resources.
A number of years later, Manie became General Manager: Support Services. His duties in this capacity included overseeing Finance & Admin, acting as the Secretariat of the Board, Human Resources, Fund Development (fundraising), Corporate Communication, and the management of Facilities, Accommodation, and Hospitality Services. Management and control systems were developed in order to manage these activities effectively.
In 2021, Manie scaled down his activities to only include the management of Fund Development so that younger people could start taking over the other activities. In 2022, he scaled down further to act only as a part time staff member, responsible for the administration and debit order system of Petra Institute.
Get in touch with Manie to learn more about the management of the supporting functions of NGO or if you are interested in supporting Petra Institute with donations.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Maria has been with Petra Institute since 2006. Seeing families grow closer to each other and God energises her and she loves presenting the Entering the World of Families Course.
Seeing children reach their full potential in life and helping parents to know how much God loves them through Bible stories is also a huge passion. She is fascinated by the way things are made, like seeing how a knitting or crochet pattern suddenly changes into a jersey, or a beanie. Nature inspires her especially when it is autumn and winter. She also enjoys decorating for small occasions.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Marie-Jean Brink joined Petra in January 2022.
She is a qualified preschool teacher who managed her pre-primary school for many years and has over 25 years of experience in children's ministry.
She completed her MDiv degree in September 2023.
Living in the Moot area in Pretoria, Marie-Jean is married to Gustav, mother to 4 adult children, and grandmother of a beautiful little girl.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Coordinator, De Doorns Campus Residence
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Nicole grew up in the townships of Soweto and Katlehong, and later lived in Kroonstad. She studied Education at Wits University and worked at Halfway House Primary School in Midrand. Nicole then left teaching to be involved with children's ministry full-time.She joined a non-profit organisation called Kids R Special, where she presented Child Protection programmes in crèches and primary schools around Gauteng and Mpumalanga. When she is not working, Nicole enjoys hanging out with friends. Her favourite food is popcorn and ice cream (but only the best!).
Nicole joined Petra Institute in 2022. She is currently receiving training to become a training facilitator and aspires to equip primary school teachers to relate better to children by learning how to build good relationships with them.
Odette has been a Training Facilitator at Petra Institute since August 2013.
After reading about the Walking with Wounded Children Course, she felt so drawn to it and something stirred within her heart that day. This is her passion - wounded children - and seeing them come to healing. So, she attended the course at Petra in 2013 and a few months later joined us with the wholehearted belief in our values and mission. She wanted to be a part of this movement too.
In 2019, God took her to the jungle in Borneo, Indonesia, to the Living Waters Village, where she spent seven months. This ministry houses almost 1 000 children, coming from very desperate situations. Odette presented the Entering the World of Children Course, and the Walking with Wounded Children Course to the 75 leaders of Living Waters Village.
She says it has been such a privilege to present these courses in Indonesia, Singapore, Ghana, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, and South Sudan.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Dirk was born in Pretoria, grew up in Stellenbosch, and attended Stellenbosch University, where he completed a BA (Hons) in Psychology, BTh and MT. (with Pastoral Care as subject).
He was ordained as minister in the Uniting Reformed Church, Riebeek Kasteel (South Africa), where he served for 12 years. In 1999, he joined Petra Institute with his family, where he has served as Training Facilitator, Managing Director and currently as Manager: Strategic Partnerships.
He helped with the development of our Walking with Wounded Children (a short course equipping participants to support emotionally wounded children and families) as well as other training programmes.
He also assists with the planning and facilitation of strategic planning workshops, advocacy meetings, seminars and webinars and different forms of training courses in various African, Middle Eastern, East European and Asian countries. He is involved with informal research, and has published some academic articles.
Dirk is married to Taleta, who serves with him at Petra Institute. The couple has two married sons and a grandson.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Rudi and his wife Karin joined Petra Institute in 1993. His first role was as Manager of the Correspondence Course.
Rudi's career started out in the mining industry in 1974. He was then called into full-time ministry and married Karin in 1975. They have 2 beautiful daughters, Elke and Celeste. Sadly, Celeste passed in 2018 from malaria. Rudi and Karin have 4 grandchildren.
In 1985, Rudi and Karin attended a course in children's ministry in Switzerland. Rudi attended seminary in 1985 and was ordained in 1992. He continued with his studies and obtained his Honours in Practical Theology and later his Masters Degree with UNISA. In 2015, he obtained a PhD in Practical Theology at Stellenbosch University.
Rudi has held the following positions at Petra Institute:
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.
Job Titles:
- Trainer
- Facilitator: Specialised Training Standardisation
Taleta has been a trainer at Petra Institute since 2001. She is a brilliant consultant that can help with strategies for your organisation/church or ministry. She specialises in developing Tutors (Facilitators) for our courses.
None scheduled for now. Visit our events calendar to view all our upcoming events.