GodFirst Church

Greg and Lauren Tait

The Taits moved to Johannesburg in 2004 as part of the team planting Godfirst Church. Greg soon joined the staff and has served as a full-time elder since 2006. Greg and Lauren then led the team that planted the congregation in the Parks in 2010. They have a busy home life with two superb sons and a delightful daughter. You can usually find them on the side of a sports field around Johannesburg on the weekend. As a family they love getting away to the bush, the berg and the sea but coming home to Joburg is always a highlight. They love this city with all the diversity, energy and opportunity and think it is the best place in the world to raise a family and lead a church.

Charles and Sarie Whitehead

The Whiteheads have been married for over 40 years and have four adult daughters, two sons-in-law and four grandchildren. They love studying and teaching the word of God. Charles makes the best biltong in Joburg and is a university professor by day. Sarie is an interior decorator passionate about helping people connect to Jesus. They love having people in their homes and building the church community.

Dave and Fiona Reynders

The Reynders have been part of Godfirst for seven years. Dave is an elder and spends his working week leading a technology company. Fiona loves serving on the Godfirst Kids team. Together they do a lot of Preparing for Engagement and Marriage Counselling which is something they are passionate about. They have three incredible kids; the thing they love about being part of GodFirst is being provoked to put God first in their lives. As a family they love Joburg. Dave can regularly be found on his mountain bike and Fiona loves to scrapbook and run although not at the same time.

Don and Zimiti Chodeva

The Chodevas have been with Godfirst Church in the Parks since 2010 planted in the area by the wider Godfirst family, which they had joined after having been drawn to the warm, authentic and fun vibe of GodFirst. They have twin daughters, Rutendo and Lukundo and a son Anesu. Don currently serves as an elder, and Zi serves in the children’s church. They enjoy family, love people, and have a passion for seeing people come to know and mature in Jesus.

Aphindile and Hanna Bokleni

The Boklenis have been married for 5 years and have a son named Thando. Hannah is from the UK, she came to SA to volunteer as a teacher in the small town of Clarens (Eastern Free State), where they met. Aphindile is from the Eastern Cape, he moved up to Joburg to study at Wits. He got saved in our university student ministry and was in the leadership for many years. They then helped start the Braamfontein site and now serve in our Parks evening congregation. The Bokleni family loves exploring the city of Joburg and you will likely find them enjoying one of the many amazing food joints the city has to offer. Aphindile was appointed as an elder in 2021.

Josh and Megan Rous

The Rous family joined Godfirst when the Parks site was planted in 2010.  They were drawn to the fantastic teaching and inviting atmosphere of a real family on mission together. They have been married for 11 years and have 4 young children – a loud, happy, busy (read chaotic!) home. Megan works in Infrastructure Finance and Josh is a Film and Television Director. They love having people in their home and leading small groups. Megan serves in the kid’s ministry and Josh is a huge lover of stories and the power of communication. If you get Josh talking about movies and entertainment you will be hard-pressed to get him to stop while Meegs is an avid cat-lover and book-reader. They both love Jo’burg and all the hustle and bustle it has to offer and are grateful to serve in this city.

John and Sarah Gessau

John and Sarah both grew up in KZN, married there, moved to Cape Town, and then took on a 2-year work opportunity in Joburg. That last move was in 2007 and they’ve never looked back. They and their three children became plugged into Joburg life and love the people with whom they’ve developed deep relationships in the city. The busyness of work and the craziness of three kids at school (and many other activities) keep them in touch with the challenges of life and – they hope – help them nudge people toward Jesus in an authentic way. Both of them serve in the church in various capacities, and are deeply invested in various home/coffee shop gatherings during the week, keenly aware that ‘iron sharpens iron’. John joined the eldership team at Godfirst church in 2018.

Simon and Thobile Chittenden

Simon and Thobile Chittenden met while working at a leading Youth Marketing Agency where they were involved in education and community work. They both heard the Gospel and crossed the line of faith in GodFirst Church after attending an Alpha course in 2014. That same year they got baptised, engaged and later married. What a year!

A year later Simon joined the staff, leading our high school ministry at Parks called Ignite. Thobile now works in the non-profit space and is passionate about Jesus and community development.

Simon and Thobile are zealous about the city and lead the team at our most recent church plant; GodFirst Jozi East, located just East of the Johannesburg CBD in the community of Bertrams. They also have three kids and two dogs.

Themba Dlamini and Family

Meet the dynamic Dlamini family of Johannesburg! Dennise is an energy and infrastructure lawyer, and Themba is a chartered accountant, and author of the book Village Boy (which addresses fatherlessness in SA). Themba and Dennise lead the Braam church. Their lively household includes their four "blenders at full speed with no top": Hope (9), the spirited trailblazer; Imara (6), the curious explorer; Willow (4), the whirlwind of wonder; and Izwile (1), the bundle of joy that completes the family. They're on a mission to welcome strangers, bring people to Jesus, and escape to the Village and the beach to recharge.

So, whether you're seeking legal wisdom, financial advice, and most importantly spiritual guidance, or just a warm and welcoming family to connect with, the Dlaminis are your go-to team in Joburg! Connect with them on their epic journey of faith, family, and fun – because with the Dlaminis, every day is an adventure worth sharing.