POLOKWANE – “I love being part of that process and to see how their relationship with God improves.”
Bet-Shalom Christian School counsellor and pastor Clarisa Buys told Polokwane Observer that her journey started when she studied and became a youth leader. She mostly focussed on youth counselling and became part of the Bet-Shalom family in June when she and her husband Cobus moved to Polokwane.
“Everybody here is so welcoming and we felt right at home from the word go,” she said.
Clarisa said her journey as a pastor began in 2010 when she became part of the VEK Kruisgenerasie Church in Standerton.
“I began as a youth leader and helped with children’s church. My love for the ministry grew as God changed my heart for His people.
“Looking back now and seeing where I started, it’s amazing to see how God shaped me and showed me where He wanted to use me.
“It was only a matter of me saying yes to the Lord and that is what we always encourage people to do,” she said.
Clarisa added that anybody can do God’s work regardless of what environment they are in, and that it is only a matter of one’s availability.
She studied at the Full Gospel Church of God College between 2014 and 2018 and took extra counselling courses afterwards.
“Standerton was my home for 33 years where I did outreach programmes for the old age homes, orphanages, hospitals and even the police station. Being part of the outreach and giving hope to others is such a great blessing,” she said.
Clarisa explained that church-based counselling is easier than school-based counselling.
“In a school not everybody believes the same and to find that mutual belief can sometimes be challenging.
“My greatest joy is when a child believes that God loves him or her, and that He is on their side. That alone can make anybody face tomorrow. It is the love of God that can change anybody,” she said.
