Pastor Walter Thomas & Bernadette Thomas
Main responsibilities:
To provide spiritual leadership
To provide pastoral leadership
To provide outreach leadership
To provide administrative leadership
Number of years in Leadership:
Senior Pastor since 2011
Originally from:
Ottery, Cape Town
Family information:
Married to Bernadette since 2004 and we have 1 daughter – Sadie, born 2013. My parents, Patrick & Retha, were the Pastoral couple of OBC for 26 years. My sister, Cindy & her husband Grant, with their daughter Mimi-Rose, live in Goedemoed where they serve the Lord in the local Baptist Church.
Fun Fact:
Plays 7 different musical instruments (Jack of all…master of none) I’m the Cook & baker in the Thomas residence. I use every pot and pan available, but clean none.
Candice Witbooi
Main Responsibilities:
Secretarial Duties
Number of years in Leadership:
Deacon since 2023
Originally from:
Westridge Baptist Church Mitchells Plain
Family Information:
Married to Nigel since 2007 and we are blessed with 2 wonderful boys, Eli & Ezra.
Fun Fact:
I love acting / singing in church plays and I am a super fast typist.
Allison Lobo das Neves
Main Responsibilities:
Executive Secretary & Treasurer and church accounting.
Encouraging with daily devotions and other readings, birthday and anniversary greetings & sharing prayer requests.
Keeping & updating records and minutes of meetings.
Keeping a constant eye on our finances & liaising with Pastor regarding funds and payment to be made.
Weekly bulletin and announcements, newsletters & other reports, and letters.
Number of years in Leadership:
since 2014
Originally from:
Koraal Road, Ottery – maiden name Hanson
Family Information:
Grew up in an Anglican family where I gave my life to the Lord in Jan 1977 at the age of 15. Moved to the Baptist church in 1988 where I was baptisted in Feb 1988 while 5 months pregnant with my eldest son. Married to Alfredo since 1987. The Lord has blessed us with 2 amazing adult sons; Rei & Chris. They both experienced learning difficulties from very young and attended a special needs school – both eventually matriculated and have become young men that, by the grace of God, we are very proud of.
Fun Fact:
The Lord recently blessed me with some additional income from a job I got at the age of 60, working half days at Mowbray Baptist Church as a Receptionist.
Praise God He has kept me through various illnesses and many other trials in my life.
I was told in 1999 that I would be ‘lucky’ to live another 5 years after metastatic melanoma and having a radical neck dissection. I had another form of cancer at the beginning of 2021 which the Lord led me through surgery and then a path of natural healing which I am still pursuing by His grace and strength. I thank Him for my life and all He blesses me with and gratefully serve Him wherever I am able. I particularly love serving with my church family here at Ottery Baptist Church.
Ursula Kemp
Main Responsibilities:
Receptionist, Admin, Event’s Organiser, Decorator and more … I do for the glory of God.
Number of years in Leadership:
Since 2017, with other periods prior to this as well.
Originally from:
Grassy Park
Family Information:
Single and blessed with a huge family church.
Fun Fact:
Reading, I love people, gospel music, decor. My friends say I can turn R20 into R200.
Main Responsibilities:
Receptionist, Admin, Event’s Organiser, Decorator and more …
Number of years in Leadership:
Since 2017, with other periods prior to this as well.
Originally from:
Grassy Park
Family Information:
Single and blessed with a huge family church.
Fun Fact:
Reading, I love people, gospel music, decor. My friends say I can turn R20 into R200.
Shirley Paulse
Main Responsibilities:
I am a deaconess as well as the First Impressions Team Lead and willing to do anything I am asked to do. My passion is to assist in the maintenance and repair of my church building.
Number of years in Leadership:
Since 2013 (with a break Nov 2017 to Nov 2018)
Originally from:
Blomvlei Baptist
Family Information:
Marlo and Tyler my kids. Grandson Jude and daughter in law Megan.
Fun Fact:
I am a fun loving person and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Nigel Witbooi
Main Responsibilities:
WebSite Administrator, Maintenance Co-ordinator & Worship Team Member
Number of years in Leadership:
Since 2020
Originally from:
Grassy Park
Family Information:
Married to Candice since 2007 and we are blessed with 2 wonderful boys, Eli & Ezra.
Fun Fact:
I love technology & learning new things. I go by the name “the optimizer” as I’m constantly trying to improve on existing processes.
Ivan Smith
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Originally from:
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Family Information:
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Fun Fact:
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