Reformed In South Africa

In today’s show, Pastor Chris Gordon is joined by guest Rev. Dr. Simon Jooste of Reformed Church Southern Suburbs in Cape Town, South Africa. They discuss Simon's journey from South Africa to America, 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, to Nelson Mandela, to winning the World Cup in Rugby! Simon sheds light on where the Reformed faith fits into the 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 & Layout of Cape Town
08:25 - The Great Trek North
09:40 - The Day Of The Vow
11:00 - Afrikaans vs.The British
12:00 - Segregation & Apartheid
13:30 - Nelson Mandela
14:42 - Racial Misunderstanding Of Reformed Theology
16:18 - Reformed Churches in S. Africa
17:29 - Identity Politics & Joining the URC
18:49 - Afrikaan Republic & Segregation
21:00 - Culture Over Scripture

More:
Rev. Dr. Simon Jooste (Phd, Stellenbosch University) is a former USA Division I tennis player and CPA now living in his native South Africa serving the Reformed Church Southern Suburbs. He is a research associate for Stellenbosch and North-West Universities working on Embodiment and Power: the Essential Nature of the Women in Office Debate (2022) and Pilgrim Politics: Putting the Cruciform back in the Creedal (2023).

Simon is a native of Cape Town. He has been married to Deana for more than 10 years and has two boys, Andrew and Adam. Simon lived in the United States for 15 years after receiving a full tennis scholarship to study and compete at the University of Nevada, Reno. He returned to South Africa with his family in August 2010. While living overseas, Simon received his theological education from Westminster Seminary, CA, and practised for a number of years as the equivalent of a chartered accountant. Simon has a PhD in historical theology (his thesis can be read here) from Stellenbosch University. He enjoys spending time with his family, relishes the outdoors and keeps his creative juices flowing with art.