My name is Jonathan Holdt, and I am the pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Pretoria, South Africa. At the age of 22, I was saved from my sin and eternal damnation by the grace of God, which transformed my life from being a rebellious transgressor of God's law to a grateful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. When I turned 25, I began my studies for gospel ministry at the London Theological Seminary. In 1997, I began my first pastorate at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Kwazulu-Natal. In 2005, I was called to lead Bethany Baptist Church, Pretoria, where I have been ever since. I am happily married to my beautiful wife, and we have been blessed with three children and two grandchildren.
My blog explores a variety of topics related to gospel ministry and Christian living. I also share my personal experiences in life and ministry. My passion lies in seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ advance through people being reconciled to God via the cross of Jesus. The fruit of this gospel reconciliation is evident in the peace and harmony with one's neighbor. In a world rife with pride, prejudice, hatred, immorality, greed, and corruption, I firmly believe that the only remedy for fallen humanity is the gospel of Christ. It is essential that the truth of the gospel be preached, proclaimed, and shared widely. We must consistently hold out the hope of advancing the gospel despite the wickedness that surrounds us, trusting that every tongue, tribe, and nation will ultimately experience the blessings of the gospel. I cherish the hope of a true, God-sent revival and pray earnestly to this end. I eagerly anticipate the fulfillment of Revelation 7:9-10, where the Apostle John described a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'
Having been diagnosed with inoperable cancer in 2016, I have lived with the understanding that life is brief and the transition into eternity is just a moment away. God has graciously preserved my life for 9 years. However, after a procedure to dilate my left bronchus, which had collapsed to 2.8mm, I faced a setback. My oxygen levels plummeted, and I was placed on a ventilator. My life hung in the balance, but through God's grace and the fervent prayers of His people, I was delivered from the shadow of death and restored to my wife, family, and the community of believers. I recognize that I am now in the last and final stretch of my life, regardless of how long that may be, and I wish to make it count for Christian living and evangelism. For this reason, I felt compelled to share various resources and articles I have written for the cause of the gospel ministry. I trust that this website will serve to glorify God and honor my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while encouraging revival in the hearts of others.
I am a Reformed Baptist pastor deeply concerned for gospel truth and reconciliation, essential components of Christian living. The world we inhabit is estranged from God, steeped in sin and under His judgment. The only hope for salvation lies in believing in Jesus Christ, who reconciles man to God. Those who are reconciled to God are empowered by His grace to love their fellow man and become peacemakers on earth. In a world filled with fear and hatred, the gospel ministry of Jesus Christ has the power to remove hostility from human hearts toward God and others.
All articles I write and publish aim to glorify God, exalt Jesus Christ, and promote gospel peace within our families, communities, and lands where God has sovereignly placed us. My appeal to authority is the holy, inspired, infallible Word of God, which consists of the 66 books of the Bible. My theological convictions align with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, and I believe fervent prayer is vital for revival in our hearts and communities.