About Afmin

Dr. Chris de Wet – Co-founder, CEO International

Chris is the Chief Executive Officer of AFMIN. A native of South Africa, he has been a pastor and church planter for many years, and has dedicated his life to training pastors and leaders throughout Africa. He holds advanced degrees in theology and missiology, earning his Ph.D from the University of Cape Town. Chris and his wife Catharine (Ph.D, University of Connecticut) have three daughters and currently live in Alabama, where Catherine is a professor at the University of Alabama.

Dr. Karel Sanders – Co-founder, President Emeritus, Missionary-at-large

Born in Holland, but an ‘adopted son’ of Africa , Karel Sanders has an incredible testimony of God’s “amazing grace.” A mine manager for many years, he came to Christ and began to lead many to the Lord, particularly among the African people groups. During the past 25 years, Karel has criss-crossed the African continent countless times and is widely loved by thousands of African pastors by whom he is affectionately known as “Papa Karel.” In 2005, Karel’s efforts were recognized by Azuza Pacific University when he was awarded an honorary doctorate (D.D). Dr. Karel along with his wife, Vivia, retired from leadership in 2008, but continues to mentor African leaders and is focusing on the AFMIN Alumni Association.

André Lottering – President, Francophone Countries

André Lottering is a South African who has been a pastor and church planter in South Africa and Belgium. For several years André served as Chief Operating Officer and his wife Doreen as administrator for AFMIN’s US office. Recently they returned to Belgium to open a European office for AFMIN. André provides leadership over AFMIN’s extensive projects in Francophone Africa, including high risk areas, such as the D.R. Congo and Burundi. He is also developing AFMIN Leadership Institutes in major European cities.

Kobus Grobler – CEO, AFMIN South Africa

Kobus is married to Teresa and they have three children. After several successful pastorates, Kobus joined AFMIN in February 2000. Since that time he has trained thousands of pastors throughout Africa and now serves as Chief Executive Officer for AFMIN’ South Africa. Kobus is a graduate of the AFM Theological Seminary in South Africa.

After his devotion to Christ, and his love for his family, Kobus has an unexplainable love for both Biltong (South African dried beef) and his beloved rugby team, the Gauteng Lions. He is a gifted preacher and teacher, and along with his leadership responsibilities, loves to travel into remote parts of Africa in order to minister!

George Mkandawire – COO, AFMIN South Africa

After pastoring a vibrant church in Blantyre, Malawi, George and his wife, Felie moved to South Africa to join the AFMIN staff. George is a graduate of AFMIN’s On/10 Advanced Pastoral Leadership program and travels frequently as one of the AFMIN instructors at our various Institutes. His wife Felie is a qualified Boeing 727 pilot with Air Malawi with thousands of flight hours experience. George is assuming more responsibility in coordinating ministry in Southern Africa and is project leader of the Training Institutes in Malawi, Madagascar, and Angola.

Dr. Steven Todd – Executive Director, Special Projects

Steven Todd served as a local church pastor for over 20 years and has worked in a mission capacity since 1999. Drawing from his years as a church planter and pastor, Steven travels frequently between the US and Africa to teach at AFMIN’s training Institutes, Steven also focuses on writing and developing training curricula. He is currently directing the training efforts in Congolese Refugee Camps in Western Tanzania. He also teaches and lectures as an adjunct professor for several seminaries and colleges and is often a guest preacher / teacher in American churches. Steven is married to Linda, a public school teacher and his partner of 31 years. www.steventodd.org

Leonard Daffa – General Secretary, AFMIN Tanzania

In addition to pastoring a growing church in Arusha, Tanzania, Pastor Daffa coordinates AFMIN’s extensive work in Tanzania. He helps organize the multiple On/10 Advanced Pastoral Leadership Institutes, the Refugee Camp projects, and oversees the translation of teaching materials into Swahili. He is married to Lilly and is one of AFMIN’s instructors.

Melanie Stephens– Office Manager – AFMIN, USA

Melanie is from Linden, Alabama. The mother of two children, ages 17 and 19, Melanie loves gardening, scrapbookings – and fishing! After starting to work in AFMIN’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama office, Melanie responded,
“I have been both awed and humbled with the dedication the Afmin staff have toward seeing their vision come to fruition.  Their drive and focus never waivers.  I can truly say I am proud to be a part of this team.”

Johan Cronje– Director – East Africa

Johan and Alta Cronje provide leadership for AFMIN’s pastoral training in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. A native South African, Johan has been in pastoral ministry for 35 years and joined AFMIN in 2006. He is a graduate of the AFM theological college in South Africa and has served the Lord in a variety of capacities, including theological training, worship, and Christian education.

Christa Greyvenstein– Office Manager – AFMIN South Africa

The AFMIN office in South Africa is fortunate to have Christa working with them!. A native of South Africa, Christa has a strong background in management, and has recently completed theological training, earning Cum Laude honors! She is married, has two wonderful children and enjoys rugby and salads!

Dr. Catharine de Wet– Educational Specialist – AFMIN

Dr. Catharine de Wet served the church in South Africa for many years in a full-time capacity together with her husband. She also has vast experience as an educational consultant and speaker at educational conferences, both in the USA and internationally. Her ministry experience together with educational expertise equip her well to serve AFMIN in the capacity of Educational Specialist, advising AFMIN on general educational issues such as curriculum development and maintaining acceptable scholarly standards and procedures. Her specialist knowledge of effective curriculum and instructional strategies, especially in electronic and distance learning, are assisting AFMIN to develop the kind of programs that are relevant to Africa.

She has a MA in Education from the University of Colorado and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She presently teaches at the University of Alabama.

Johan Fouriel– Director, Special Projects – AFMIN South Africa

Johan Fourie is the newest member of the AFMIN team. He has been in full–time ministry for 13 years and is a gifted teacher who is also well qualified in Information Technology (IT). He is a true servant leader who knows and understands Africa, and has already added value to executing the vision of AFMIN. He is based at AFMIN, South Africa and is responsible for the production and recording of our courses on DVD, teaching at various Institutes and enhanding our administration. He lives in Springs, South Africa.