I am Jakob Mars, and this is my wonderful wife Jolandi, along with our precious children Lisa and Pieter. Jolandi and I have been married for seven years. We are originally from Cape Town, South Africa, where we both grew up in the Bellville Free Reformed Church.

Jolandi is a teacher by profession, and she now uses her gifts full-time to raise our children in the ways of the Lord. She is also passionate about helping other children, both within and outside the congregation, understand and love God’s Word.

I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and physiology. An increasing discomfort with what I was being taught, together with a growing heart for the lost and a growing awareness of the need in our churches, led us to the conviction that I should pursue serving the Lord in the ministry.

We love God and His children, and we have a deep desire to reach those who do not yet know our heavenly Father in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. We greatly value fellowship with like-minded believers, but also enjoy opening our home for the community in which we live. In addition, we enjoy spending time in God’s marvelous creation.

During my seminary training at CRTS, I had the privilege of doing various internships, including with Rev. Johan Bruintjes in Cape Town, Rev. Erik van Alten in Pretoria, Rev. Dick Wynia in Lincoln, and Rev. Gerrit Bruintjes in Toronto. We also spent the months prior to my graduation working in the Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church in British Columbia.

Upon returning to South Africa, I started a vicariate alongside Rev. Johan Bruintjes in the Bellville congregation – an opportunity graciously extended to me by the church in which we grew up. This season is now quickly drawing to a close. We are spending the final months of the vicariate in Robertson, serving a small church plant. It has truly been a wonderful time of growth.

In October 2025, I sustained my classis exam to be eligible for call.

We are excited to see where the Lord will lead us next. We trust that wherever He directs our path, and whatever that may involve, it will be to the honor and glory of His holy Name.