Reverend revved up for ministry

THE Empangeni Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk’s new minister, Reverend Gerhardt Venter (48), was ordained as officiating minister on Sunday.

Responsible for Sunday sermons, prayer evenings and visiting congregants, Rev Venter is also involved in counselling.

Graduating in 1990 from the University of Pretoria, Rev Venter completed a degree in theology before heading off to serve in the army for one year as Chaplain, and thereafter went full-time into ministry.

In 1992, he started with his first congregation at a Pretoria-based NG Kerk, and then in 1995 made his way to KZN where he took up a post in St Lucia.

‘I was part of the Afrikaans Protestant Church and was later transferred to Hluhluwe and then Richards Bay,’ said Rev Venter.

In 2006 he moved to Empangeni with the same church, but later terminated his services and joined the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk in 2013.

Having now lived in Zululand for 20 years, Rev Venter said this has become his home and he loves every moment here.

A father of three, he also runs a Pastel software business and named best dealer in South Africa for three consecutive years, and has also walked away with several other awards.

In his spare time, Rev Venter enjoys travelling.

‘We have seen many beautiful countries, Thailand, Netherlands, France, Dubai, Canada and Croatia. My wife always manages to plan such great trips for us,’ he said.

‘I would love to travel to Israel, it is part of my field of study, but also just a beautiful country despite the conflict at the moment.’