Pastor Chris Gordon is joined by Rev. Dr. Simon Jooste of Reformed Church Southern Suburbs in Cape Town. They discuss Simon’s journey from South Africa to the United States, where a full tennis scholarship landed him at the University of Nevada. His strong faith led him to Westminster Seminary where he earned a Masters of Divinity degree. He then went back home where he was blessed to plant an English-medium Reformed church. Pastor Dan Borvan joins in as they discuss the beauty and complexity of South Africa, from apartheid and Nelson Mandela to winning the Rugby World Cup. Simon sheds light on where the Reformed faith fits into South Africa’s complicated racial and cultural landscape, and how his church is determined to remain faithful to God’s Word.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
01:07 – Simon’s background
01:58 – Called to the ministry
03:00 – Crime in South Africa
05:37 – Simon’s story
06:25 – The colonization and layout of Cape Town
08:25 – The Great Trek
09:40 – The Day of the Vow
11:00 – Afrikaners vs the British
12:00 – Segregation and apartheid
13:30 – Nelson Mandela
14:42 – Racial misunderstanding of Reformed theology
16:18 – Reformed churches in South Africa
17:29 – Identity politics and joining the URC
18:49 – Afrikaner republic and segregation
21:00 – Culture over Scripture
In part two, Simon explains the importance of preaching to a racially diverse congregation and how some are even willing to risk their lives to hear the true Gospel. Simon, Chris, and Dan discuss the struggles, political instability, and the dangers of the region, but also acknowledge the beauty, hope, and optimism the Lord has provided. Learn more about being Reformed in South Africa and what you can do to help support Simon as he carries out God’s important work here.
Chapters:
00:00 – Postmillennialism
00:55 – The power of identity
03:00 – Understand the culture
03:47 – A Rainbow Nation
05:30 – Including all ethnicities
06:35 – Commending the RCSA on diversity
07:43 – Ethnicity and spirituality
08:49 – Identity politics
09:15 – American influence and culture
11:00 – Staying positive
12:00 – RCSS details
13:40 – Becoming racially diverse
14:20 – Who is coming to RCSS
18:29 – Risking their lives for church
20:00 – Pray for the church
22:30 – Signs of encouragement