JACQUES Pieterse, the new rector at St James’ Anglican Church in Morningside, has taken to his new position with gusto, despite having had to ‘immigrate’ from Potchefstroom for his new job.
Jacques took over the rectorship officially on 1 January and said he’s still finding his feet and adjusting to what he calls a ‘tremendous change’ for him and his family.
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“It really feels like we have immigrated, coming from Potchefstroom, which is the capital of the old Boerevolk in the old Transvaal, to the part of Durban which has been called the ‘last outpost.'”
“It’s been a huge change, but so wonderful to find how people in the congregation are starting to speak Afrikaans to us to help us feel welcome. It is fun and shows acceptance. We have also arrived during what some Durbanites have called the worst summer in a while, so it’s been quite an experience!” he said.
Jacques was born in Klerksdorp and attended primary and high school in Orkney. He moved back to Klerksdorp after finishing matric and worked for First National Bank for five years before joining Eskom for the next 15 years as a quality assurance officer. He met his wife Melinda while working at Eskom and they have two children, Megan and Quintin.
“When I was 21, I was doing my second year of national service and I gave my life to Christ. I felt then the call to study theology, but took 13 years to actually do it! I started my studies through UNISA while I was working at Eskom and had two small babies in the house. It took me six years to complete my bachelor degree in theology,” he said.
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Jacques said he was also schooled in music, having a Grade 7 in classical piano as well as formal church organ training. “Music is my ministry, so I minister from behind the organ and the pulpit!” he said.
Jacques received training as a lay minister in the Anglican church and was then ordained as a deacon. He worked as a deacon for two years in Klerksdorp and was ordained as a priest in the Anglican church, all while still working at Eskom. In 2012, a vacancy came about at St Mary’s church in Potchefstroom and Jacques said it was probably one of the biggest decisions he and his family have ever had to make, to leave the security of the company and move into full time ministry.
“I moved into the position as rector of St Mary’s where I worked for five years. It was very scary to leave my job and take on this very different work, but it was something I had prepared myself for in my mind for a very long time.”
“Although I had theoretically done everything I could do, I realised how little I actually knew about what I was meant to be doing ‘on the job’!”
“It was a great learning curve for me, especially as a family man, to move into an environment where it’s all eyes on you! My wife knew my heart from the beginning and we knew it was God’s calling. It’s where I have found my fulfilment,” he said.
Jacques said he is essentially a family man, that his wife is his rock and that he adores his children. As a family, in their spare time they travel to their holiday home in Glenmore on the South Coast.
“I love the South Coast as it is so untouched. We do a lot of swimming down there and spend time together. My own hobbies include swimming, and I do run, however the hills in Morningside are too steep for that! I am more of a cultural person that a sporty one and my time is taken up by music. I love all music, from classical right through to jazz,” he said.
Jacques said he doesn’t fall into a box, and that he’s an ‘ecumenical guy’ who works well with other churches.
“I’m traditional, evangelical and contemplative all at the same time, that’s how I exercise my ministry, along with music, of course! With leading this new church, I find myself moving to lead through prayer and trying to help people experience the stillness of God. One of the challenges ahead for every minister who comes to a traditional church is finding the balance, where is the youth? We need to slow down and find God’s purpose as to where we are in 2017. We don’t have to dance to the drum of every church around us, we have to find our niche, listen close to the beat of God’s heart. We will find God will use us in miraculous ways,” he said.
