1.) What do you do at Tyndale?
A little bit of everything that has even a little to do with marketing: IT, writing copy, helping think through student recruitment, and telling people about our mission. I had a hand in us recently starting up the Tyndale Equip newsletter, and I'm very proud about that. Knowing Christ more fully leads to loving Him more fully, and I love having a job that contributes to that directly.
2.) What did you do before Tyndale?
I studied at the University of Groningen, getting bachelor degrees in Math, English literature, and Philosophy. This enabled me to get into my current master’s degree. At the same time, I was always studying theology. Being able to follow some theology courses on the side has advanced that study very rapidly, and has only increased my love of the subject. God has very graciously taken me the long way from the middle of nowhere in South Africa to the universities of the Netherlands.
3.) What do you do besides serving at Tyndale?
I'm a full-time master of logic student at the University of Amsterdam, where I'm currently writing my thesis on the epistemology of presuppositionalism. Big words, but it comes down to 1) assuming we don't need to prove the truth of God's Word philosophically to people because it is living, active, and authoritative, so that 2) we can minister to people directly out of God's Word, without having to be smart enough to convince them rationally that the Bible is true, and then 2) asking what that means for us to be engaged in rational discussion generally.
4.) Why did you want to come and serve at Tyndale?
What set the whole thing in motion was that I asked my pastor, Derek Bass, who is a professor at Tyndale, to be my mentor. He responded very positively, and suggested that the best way to do this is the mentoring course at Tyndale. He then introduced me to the president of Tyndale, Gunnar Mägi, we chatted about possibilities, and here I am: happily working in a very friendly and homey environment where people are training very(!) hard to serve the church.
5.) What have you enjoyed most during your time serving at Tyndale?
I've got a great boss, Elizabeth Bass, who happens to be Derek's wife. So I get to have my pastor and his wife constantly speaking into my life. That shapes me, and I'm thankful that my rough edges can get a bit pastorally smoothed even while I'm earning my bread. I also get to engage in great conversations with other coworkers, and make a real impact on the team. Especially that last point is highly motivating: everybody needs everybody around here, and that's special. Add the importance of the mission to train people for ministry, and you've got a winning recipe.
6.) What are your future plans?
Become a seminary or university professor, or a banker. Or both? I'm blessed to have multiple potential options in terms of where I could take my career, though I have no clue in which direction it will actually go. Getting a PhD position, and then a teaching position, is an increasingly intense game of luck and skill. However, look at all the constant mercy our Father has showered upon me! Even if I end up doing a job that feels meaningless and pays poorly, I will know that it is His kind hand of providence at work to form me in Christ's image. So, though I prefer a clear roadmap with good odds, I am at peace with things not being very clear at the moment.
