Known as a down-to-earth, honest man of integrity who never judged anyone regardless of what they’ve done, pastor Brett McDermid (55), leader of the Adullam Biker Ecclesia Church in Brakpan, passed away on March 5.

According to his daughter Nikita McDermid (28), his passing brought a “chaotic” response.

“Everyone had very different responses,” she said.

His son Damon McDermid (27) said his dad’s laughter is one of the top things the family will miss most about him.

“His presence, there’s nothing we can downscale or leave out, we will miss everything. His highest points were his children and grandchildren, and opening his church to save souls,” added Brett’s wife, Lindi McDermid (51).

His church’s slogan is “Hospital for the sinners, not museum for saints,” and he lived by that slogan. Anyone who needed help, no matter who they were, could call on him and he would be there, according to his family.

Nikita shared that he wasn’t one to be negative or dwell on bad things, but Lindi said that a low point for him was conducting funerals, especially those of children.”He hated it, especially when he didn’t know if they were saved,” Lindi said.

Brett was a biker and part of the biker community since his early 20s. He served as the chairperson for the East Rand President’s Council for about 10 years. He was an EMS chaplain since 2020, but supported the chaplaincy for 14 years. He was also involved with Rata Social Services for many years.

Nikita has lived in South Korea for the past two years, and had visited home for six weeks before his passing. She was scarcely back in South Korea, only five days, before having to fly back to South Africa to be with the family.

“One thing I’m grateful for is that he got to see Nikita before he passed. Now he will never get to walk her down the aisle, meet her children, meet his third grandchild. I will miss hearing his motorcycle coming down the road.

“He loved motorcycles. If anyone asked him what he would like as a gift, he always said they could buy him a motorcycle. He always did this thing in church where if anyone had their birthday during the previous week, he would joke asking where his cupcake was. He also always hugged people, and he didn’t like being called pastor.

“He would say ‘just call me Brett’ because he believed we are all equal,” said Lindi.

His family said he served his community to such a point that no one else could ever compare.

“You could phone him at midnight and he would come to your aid,” said Lindi.

Brett is also is survived by his sister, Renay van der Walt (53), his daughter-in-law, Andrea McDermid (26), and his two grandchildren, Zané (6) and Dalton (14 months) McDermid, with another grandchild on the way.

His passing drew an overwhelming response from the public, with several posts, dozens of Facebook comments and hundreds of messages to the family. His memorial service will be held on March 21.

A mass ride will be held on the day in honour of Brett. Participants will gather at the Fireplace Roadhouse in Dalpark at 08:00, with the ride scheduled to depart at 08:30. The procession will conclude at The Garrison Driving Range in Boksburg.

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