Our Story

Chantell and I live in the most beautiful area called the Garden Route, in the city of George, South Africa, on the southern tip of Africa. We have been married 7 years. Our home is filled with love, laughter, and a growing family that includes a precious 9-month-old daughter, a few clucking hens, a thriving vegetable patch, and our loyal companion, Phoebe, an English bull terrier.

From an early age, I sensed that God had a purpose for my life, though, like Jonah, I attempted to veer away from it. As we all know, with God you can only run so far, until He rocks your boat. Although I possessed a deep love for the Word of God and had studied theology, it wasn’t until later in life that I developed a true relationship with Him. At first I had all the knowledge, yet I served Him with my lips and not with the heart.

One day I decided I am going to make a Christian video to post on social media. I made the video and before I posted it, I had a very long ponder about it. “If I post this video, I have to practice what I preach.” I knew that those who aspire to leadership within the church are held to a higher standard than other believers because of the great influence teachers wield. Their works and their words carry a greater weight than those who are not teaching. If teachers fall, they can take many people with them; therefore, God will judge teachers of the Word according to the kind of impact they had on those they aspired to lead. (James 3:1) It took me 3 days to post the video and the rest is history. I got hit by the same “ten-ton truck” I was teaching about in that first video. – watch video here.

Soon after, my mentor and friend Dr. Tiaan Gildenhuys, asked me if I would like to be a collaborator in God’s ministry called Authority in Christ Ministries. Since then, I have been affiliated with Authority in Christ Ministries and more recently ordained as minister.

The transition from farming pasture-raised chickens to full-time ministry was not without challenges. Disease struck our flock, prompting a significant decision to enter the ministry wholeheartedly. Despite financial uncertainties, divine provision consistently affirmed our journey. In that first month of ministry full time, Chantell was very hesitant about this big step as she is a chartered accountant (CA(SA)). You can imagine how hard this is for someone working in the financial world. I remember her coming to me (with a spreadsheet) telling me, if we do this, we will be R6000 short at month end. Needless to say, by the last day of the month God provided exactly R6000 to the cent, this was without us telling or asking anybody, only trusting the Lord. I believe this was God showing Chantell and myself to just trust in Him as our Provider. God provided exactly the amount we needed, R6000, reinforcing our reliance on Him as the ultimate Provider.  The ministry is not financially supported by any church or organization but has been sustained by God the Father Himself through donations. (See 1 Corinthians 9:11-14)

There is a saying – broken parents, raise broken children, broken children, become broken parents. We seek to break the cycle with the help of Christ and heal the broken, just as Christ has healed us. Assisting with Christian coaching, counseling, courses, teachings and prayer.

Chantell also seeks to engage in ministry in the marketplace. Where the Gospel can be shared daily with all walks of life.  Many people don’t see the inside of a church, but they see you, sometimes 5 or 6 days a week. Sometimes you are the only Bible someone will ever see. The impact of practicing biblical principles not only in your business, but also personal life, is far larger than you can imagine. We live in a time where women are not living the mandate of Titus 2:3-5 which states that older women are to disciple younger women, teaching them how to grow in godliness in their distinct relationships and calling. Even though Chantell is still young, we should realise that you are always older than someone younger than you. There is always someone that is not as spiritually mature as you (even if they are physically older). Chantell desires to live this mandate and especially coach young brides or brides to be, in what it takes to be a godly wife.

Blessings,

Bokkel & Chantell