Barend Kotze, a local pastor believes that we are called to make a difference, something he can continue to do after having the honour of being crowned Mr Randfontein for the second year in a row.
Barend, 31, believes that one lives to impact others and thus is called to make a difference in our communities.
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“Community work is very close to my heart, it’s all about giving hope to the weary and the brokenhearted. My life motto is: Changing hearts, lives, and communities with the love of Jesus Christ.”
Something that made an impact on him is that this pageant is not only a beauty contest, but also a way to uplift the community and make a difference.
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“As a pastor, I choose to teach and to reach by building communities with hope and skills, I choose to get involved in the community to have a bigger platform to impact and to impart by making a difference.”
Barend said one Bible verse that stood out for him through this journey 1 Samuel 16 verse 7.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
He added that community work is not about looks – but all about the heart.
“If we read 1 Samuel 16 a beautiful story unfolds, can it be a biblical pageant?”
He quoted 1 Samuel 16 verses 8 to 16.
“So Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said. Neither has the Lord chosen this one. Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said. Neither has the Lord chosen this one. Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse. The Lord has not chosen these. And Samuel said to Jesse Are all the young men here? Then he said. There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse. Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here. So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said. Arise, anoint him; for this is the one! Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
“God is looking for someone to use as His ambassador on earth to reach out and touch those who are weary and brokenhearted. To be a hand in need and to impart love and hope to those without,” Barend added.
He wants everyone for having faith in him to carry the title for another year.
I don’t know what the year may hold, but surely I know a difference will be made.”
