Biblical Counseling Africa: Equipping the Church for Gospel-Centered Care in South Africa and Beyond

Recorded on the road at the Biblical Counseling Coalition Global Summit, this Speak the Truth podcast episode features interviews with Kyle Johnston and Jane Kratz from Cape Town, South Africa, about their ministry contexts and the growth of Biblical Counseling Africa. Jane shares how her husband’s death in 2012 led her to pursue a theologically rich approach to grief and loss, moving from prior psychology studies to biblical counseling training through ABC’s Equipped to Counsel material and later studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with additional church experience in Texas before returning to South Africa. Kyle, an ordained minister at Gracefield Church in Fish Hoek, explains how pastoral ministry exposed a gap between confident pulpit preaching and applying Scripture in complex, conversational counseling situations; this led him to training through Wayne Mack’s curriculum in South Africa and a master’s degree at The Master’s University in Los Angeles (2012), while continuing to prioritize pastoral care and counseling in church life.

They discuss why they remain committed to serving in Africa despite opportunities elsewhere, noting both the significant needs in Cape Town and South Africa and the mission field created by migration from other African nations. They describe cultural observations, including hospitality and the value of contextual ministry shaped by South Africa’s historical experience, including navigating multicultural ministry after apartheid.

Kyle outlines how Biblical Counseling Africa began in part to make CCEF training more accessible and affordable in their context and to expand beyond South Africa through online courses. The organization’s aim is to equip local churches across Africa to provide wise, loving, gospel-centered pastoral care that restores Christ to counseling. They describe a three-level approach: (1) grassroots seminars, talks, and workshops (including using ABC conference resources with local case studies and courses such as Jane’s nine-week grief care course); (2) training such as ABC’s Equipped to Counsel offered during COVID and in-person; and (3) advanced CCEF courses, with growing enrollment. Future focus includes helping pastors develop a church-wide culture of care, vulnerability, and mutual ministry beyond sermon-centered expectations.

They explain that Biblical Counseling Africa is a nonprofit and invite listeners to support the work through prayer, financial giving, and volunteering. They emphasize the need for resources to sustain operations, relieve volunteer load, and provide scholarships for students from poorer African contexts. They express gratitude for support from American partners including CCEF, ABC, BCC, and others, noting that courses are offered at about a quarter of the normal cost, and direct listeners to biblicalcounsellingafrica.com for more information and contact.

00:00 Welcome to Speak the Truth (Podcast Intro)
01:09 Meet Jane: From Grief & Loss to Biblical Counseling
02:30 Texas Culture Shock & Accent Stories
03:39 Meet Kyle: Pastoral Ministry Path into Counseling
06:12 Why Stay & Serve in Africa? Calling, Need, and Gifts
08:23 Jane’s Perspective: Returning Home, Mission Field in South Africa
10:56 Culture Notes: Hospitality, Affection, and Multicultural Ministry
12:53 What Is Biblical Counseling Africa? Origins, Partnerships, Vision
15:20 Equipping the Church: Training Levels & Accessible Resources
16:35 Level 1 Training: Seminars, Consultations & Explaining Biblical Counseling
17:16 Grief Care Course & Topic-Based Workshops (Burnout, Anxiety, Depression, etc.)
17:53 Using ABC Conference Content: Videos, Workshops & Local Case Studies
18:41 Advanced Training: Equipped to Counsel & CCEF Courses
19:14 Next Step: Building a Churchwide Culture of Care (Pastors + One-Another Ministry)
20:31 Beyond the Pulpit: Equipping the Saints & How Counseling Shapes Preaching
24:10 How to Support Biblical Counseling Africa: Prayer, Giving & Website Info
26:08 Funding Needs: Affordable Training, Supporting Students & Volunteer Capacity
29:04 Volunteering with BCA: Gifts, Admin Help & Partnering via Email
30:05 Wrap-Up: Invitation to Visit South Africa, Gratitude & Final Thanks

Episode Mentions
Biblical Counselling Africa
The Comfort of God in Grief - A Nine Week Grief Care Course by Jane

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