Gerrit and his wife, Celeste were born and raised in South Africa where their Afrikaner roots run deep. A former racist with a diabolical plan for the “Swart Gevaar” (Black Danger), Gerrit began to question his beliefs while at university where he met Celeste. He embarked on a quest to understand the hatred that permeated South African society, and his own heart.
As a young lawyer, Gerrit’s thinking was consistently challenged. He began to see the black struggle for freedom in the light of his forefathers’ war for freedom from the British oppression that saw the death of 26,000 women and children in concentration camps during the course of the Boer wars. Why was the black struggle for freedom any different?
Gradually he became more and more involved in defending black South Africans, especially the schoolchildren that Celeste taught. As he stood up for their rights and freedom, his heart continued to change. In 1984, Gerrit had a powerful encounter with God and became a follower of Jesus Christ. As he studied the Bible, Gerrit came upon a verse that would change his way of thinking forever. Acts 17:26 helped him to realize that all peoples originate from one blood. He understood for the first time that God loves all people equally and He has no favorites, and that he should likewise treat everyone – regardless of race, religion or other differences – with respect, honor and dignity that they deserve.
Gerrit then took some practical steps to live out this new revelation. He began to ask forgiveness of black South Africans and, in 1989, started teaching the message of reconciliation in South Africa. After leaving his law practice in 1986, Gerrit and his wife Celeste worked with an international mission for ten years. Gerrit also directed the inauguration of the University of the Nations campus in Cape Town, South Africa . Here he encouraged development ministry in the townships of South Africa.
In 2003 a feature-length film, Final Solution, was made about Gerrit’s life. A special 2-DVD set of Final Solution and the accompanying documentary, From One Blood, where Gerrit tells his story, can be purchased on this site. See clips from the movie and documentary at www.fromoneblood.com.
Gerrit and Celeste currently live in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he directs The Word for All Nations and makes frequent trips to Rwanda. Celeste teaches at a local public high school. Gerrit is ordained in the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMIA) and serves as Associate Pastor with the International Anglican Church in Colorado Springs. As an AMIA minister, Gerrit’s relationships with Rwandan leaders from all walks of life has flourished, and he has accepted their invitations to teach, consult, and partner with them in a variety of projects, as seen on this site.
