Five minutes with Tjaart...
A Q&A with Young Life's new Area
Manager for Ryde and Northern
Sydney - Tjaart Kruger.
First up, how do you pronounce your name?
Chart, as in charting the course. Second name is easier, Kruger - it's as you would think it sounds.
You've just taken over from Brooke Filipovski while she takes maternity leave. How do you feel about the challenges ahead?
Well, filling someone else's shoes is always tough, but I am confident that I can tackle the challenges with God on my side. Working with young people is very rewarding and it carries eternal value and that makes me excited to partner with Young Life.
You're married to Madelie. For how long and when & how did you meet?
We met through mutual friends initially, but it wasn't until we did a youth camp together as leaders that I realised she was my type of woman. We started hanging out and enjoyed each other's company and then two years later we were dating and very soon after that I proposed. We were married on her 19'th birthday and I always joke that I was the best present she ever received. That was five years ago and we are still going strong.
Where were you born and where do you live now?
I was born in wild Africa, Johannesburg South Africa. I grew up there and four years ago Madelie and I decided to come to Australia and now we live in Marsfield, in northern Sydney.
Are you into technology?
Very much so! I have a degree in IT and enjoy building my own computers and adding interesting components onto them. I enjoy playing computer games as a hobby and I think that helps me to relate to the youth.
How many facebook friends do you have?
Just 360. I am not an avid Facebook person.
What kind of music do you like?
My musical taste is quite indescribable! I do like Christian music and rock... and I also enjoy techno, but don't tell anyone.
Favourite TV shows?
The Stargate series, with the most recent one being Stargate Universe. The others I enjoy include The Simpsons, '24' and Top Gear.
Your favourite video games?
I really enjoy strategy games - particularly the Command & Conqueror series and StarCraft 1 and 2. I really like Crysis 1 and 2 as well. On my XBox I play Mass Effect 1 and 2, and Halo.
Favourite films of the past year?
There haven't been too many good ones this year, so the best ones for me would probably be Kung Fu Panda 2, Transformers 3, and Super 8.
What are some of your favourite things to do in your spare time?
If the sun is out and I have time, I like to go mountain biking in the national park. I enjoy nature very much and love being outdoors.
How important to you is your faith?
Well, my faith in Christ is the most valuable thing I posses. It is because of our faith that Madelie and I decided to come to Australia. I have just completed my Masters in Theology because I wanted to know more about the Bible and God. I have also made a promise to God that I will work for Him in this lifetime as a fulltime minister of His word because I love to see other people reconciled to God.
What are your priorities in life?
My priorities in life are to listen to God and make sure I place myself where He wants me. I do not have a motto, except maybe to "imitate Christ" as much as I can.
Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
My wife and I have always had a heart for our home country, South Africa. We know we will go back to Africa and minister there one day. We want to lead a church of people that make a difference in our land and on our continent.
What can we pray for you about?
We have to always consider what God wants us to do, so if you could pray for wisdom and direction for our lives that would be great. I am looking forward to filling Brooke's shoes for a while, so if you could pray that I am able to really engage with the teenagers who Young Life interact with and build on her success.
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