Petra Institute

Petra Institute Building communities, world-wide, where children are welcome through partnerships and training.

Petra Institute shares God's desire that the lost and broken children are found and restored to healing Christian families and communites.

🎉 Happy Birthday, Gretha Lourens! 🎉Today we celebrate Gretha Lourens, who serves as Facilitator: Ethical Fundraising at ...
17/06/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Gretha Lourens! 🎉

Today we celebrate Gretha Lourens, who serves as Facilitator: Ethical Fundraising at Petra Institute.

Gretha plays an important role in helping Petra Institute raise the finances needed for projects and operational expenses. Her focus on individuals and churches helps create meaningful partnerships that support the ongoing work of building communities where children are welcome.

Thank you, Gretha, for your dedication, faithfulness, and commitment to serving Petra Institute through ethical fundraising. Your work helps make ministry possible and contributes to lasting impact in the lives of children, families, and communities.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.”
— 1 Peter 4:10

May the year ahead be filled with joy, strength, favour, and God’s abundant blessing. 🌿

💛 Happy Birthday, Gretha! We celebrate you today.

🇿🇦 Happy Youth Day 🌿Today we honour the courage, voice, and potential of young people.Youth Day reminds us that children...
16/06/2026

🇿🇦 Happy Youth Day 🌿

Today we honour the courage, voice, and potential of young people.

Youth Day reminds us that children and young people are not only the future — they are valuable, called, and capable of making a difference today.

At Petra Institute, we believe in building communities where children and young people are welcomed, heard, nurtured, and equipped to grow in faith and purpose.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example… in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
— 1 Timothy 4:12

May we continue to create spaces where young people are seen, valued, and encouraged to become the change-agents God has called them to be.

🎉 Happy Birthday, Carine Steyn! 🎉Today we celebrate Carine Steyn, Coordinator of Petra Institute’s Online Relational Chi...
16/06/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Carine Steyn! 🎉

Today we celebrate Carine Steyn, Coordinator of Petra Institute’s Online Relational Children’s Ministry and Online Relational Family Ministry Courses.

Carine became part of Petra Institute’s writers and facilitator team in 1994, after working as an Occupational Therapist with children experiencing learning difficulties. For her, joining Petra was a clear response to God’s calling — and she describes serving on Petra’s staff as “an honour to live out my calling among humble people who truly love God.”

Carine has made an incredible contribution to Petra Institute’s online training, writing 75% of our current Online Children’s and Family Ministry Courses. She is passionate about making these courses accessible online, keeping the material relevant and contextual, and mentoring the team of Assessors and Facilitators involved in the Online Courses.

Carine, thank you for your faithful service, wisdom, creativity, and dedication to equipping others for ministry.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
— Proverbs 16:3

May the year ahead be filled with joy, peace, renewed strength, and God’s continued blessing.

💛 Happy Birthday, Carine! We celebrate you and the lasting impact of your work.

15/06/2026

🌿 Faith is formed in everyday moments

God’s Word reminds us that children’s spiritual growth is not limited to Sunday services or formal teaching moments. Faith is nurtured in the rhythm of daily life — at home, on the road, at bedtime, and when a new day begins.

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children…”
— Deuteronomy 6:6–7

At Petra Institute, we believe families play a vital role in helping children know God, experience His love, and grow in faith.

When families talk about God together, pray together, and live out faith together, children learn that following Him is part of everyday life. 💛

🌿 Who is responsible for children’s spiritual growth?The Bible reminds us that faith formation begins in the family. Par...
12/06/2026

🌿 Who is responsible for children’s spiritual growth?

The Bible reminds us that faith formation begins in the family. Parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping children know God, experience His love, and grow in faith.

But many parents want to lead their children spiritually and simply don’t know how.

At Petra Institute, we believe churches can help bridge this gap — not only by offering children’s programmes, but by equipping whole families to grow spiritually together.

When parents, caregivers, churches, schools, and organisations journey together, children flourish. Faith is not only taught — it is lived, shared, and multiplied.

Because when families grow spiritually together, communities are strengthened. 💛

🌿 Building communities where children are welcome takes a villageAt Petra Institute, we are passionate about building co...
10/06/2026

🌿 Building communities where children are welcome takes a village

At Petra Institute, we are passionate about building communities where children are not only welcomed, but also valued, celebrated, and nurtured in faith.

Our commitment to children’s ministry goes beyond borders — and we are grateful to partner with like-minded organisations that share our vision for children, families, churches, and communities.

Through these partnerships, we are able to connect you with helpful Children’s Ministry Resources designed to enrich your work, strengthen your ministry, and inspire practical ways to serve children well.

Together, we can nurture the next generation and help every child feel seen, valued, and cherished. 💛

👉 Explore the resources and discover tools to support your children’s ministry.
https://zurl.co/uEste

🎉 Happy Birthday, Anneline “Memmie” Fortuin! 🎉Today we celebrate Anneline Fortuin, affectionately known to all as Memmie...
08/06/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Anneline “Memmie” Fortuin! 🎉

Today we celebrate Anneline Fortuin, affectionately known to all as Memmie, who has been serving as a Training Facilitator with Petra Institute since 2010.

Memmie has a deep passion for her community, intercession, and connecting families. She is the pastor of a small church, continuing her commitment to serving God and others with faith and dedication.

She is married to Coert Fortuin, a proud mother to Curtney and Caleb, and a loving grandmother to little Curtley.

Memmie, thank you for your faithful service, compassionate heart, and unwavering commitment to building stronger families and communities.

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
— Proverbs 31:26

May the Lord bless you abundantly in the year ahead with strength, joy, good health, and continued fruitfulness in your ministry. 🌿

💛 Happy Birthday, Memmie! Thank you for the difference you make in the lives of so many.

📣 Walking with Wounded Children | Centurion 2026This course equips children’s workers to support emotionally wounded chi...
05/06/2026

📣 Walking with Wounded Children | Centurion 2026

This course equips children’s workers to support emotionally wounded children on a fundamental level — with compassion, understanding, and practical tools.

📍 Lewende Woord, Centurion
📅 24 September – 3 October 2026
⏳ Registrations close: 10 September 2026

Key outcomes include:
✨ Biblical basis for walking with wounded children
✨ Understanding and assessing a wounded child
✨ Understanding a healing relationship
✨ Applying tools for child counselling

We strongly believe that the relationship between the helper and the child is key to healing.

👉 Scan the QR code or visit:
https://zurl.co/zVQE1

🌍 Multiplication: The Heart of Petra Institute’s Strategy 🌿At Petra Institute, we believe that lasting transformation ha...
03/06/2026

🌍 Multiplication: The Heart of Petra Institute’s Strategy 🌿

At Petra Institute, we believe that lasting transformation happens when knowledge is shared, relationships are nurtured, and leaders are equipped to equip others.

Our model is based on
2 Timothy 2:2

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Paul taught Timothy. Timothy trained reliable people. Those reliable people taught others.

This biblical principle of multiplication is at the heart of everything we do.

Rather than simply training individuals, we equip leaders who can train others in their own churches, organisations, schools, and communities. In this way, the impact continues to grow long after the initial training has ended.

From South Africa to more than 80 countries around the world, we are seeing this strategy strengthen families, empower leaders, and build communities where children are welcome.

Because true transformation doesn't stop with one person — it multiplies. 💛
www.petra.co.za

🌿 June Prayer Letter Now Available📖 View or download it here: https://zurl.co/s8MZZWe are grateful for God's faithfulne...
01/06/2026

🌿 June Prayer Letter Now Available
📖 View or download it here: https://zurl.co/s8MZZ

We are grateful for God's faithfulness and for everyone who continues to stand with us in prayer.

🙏 Praise Points
• The Walking with Wounded Children course was a great success, with a strong group of young adults and community leaders participating.
• We had a promising consultation with a school on online staff training, opening doors to potentially reach more teachers and caregivers.
• Our impact in East Africa continues to grow through follow-up training with partner organisations in Ethiopia.

🙏 Please Pray For
• The finalisation of our Memorandum of Understanding with World Vision Uganda.
• Upcoming training with World Vision Tanzania and the Kenyan team.
• Wisdom and guidance as we prepare for training with UCSA in June.
• Our faithful supporters, many of whom face significant challenges as farmers and business owners, yet continue to support the work of the Institute.

Thank you for partnering with us as we equip leaders, strengthen families, and build communities where children are welcome. 💛

🤝 Learn more about becoming a Friend of Petra Institute: https://zurl.co/5zy5g

Address

N1
De Doorns
6875

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27824462274

Website

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