Paul Karstens is from Cape Town, South Africa. He attended the Baptist Seminary in Cape Town where he completed a BTh. He received his Master's degree from Toronto Baptist Seminary in Canada. He has pastored two Baptist churches in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
In 1997 Paul was invited to the Bible Institute of South Africa, where he teaches in the areas of Pastoral Theology and Homiletics. He is in charge of the students' practical ministry assignments and is the Dean of Students. Paul also works in the Christian Leadership Programme (CLP) which offers further training to indiginous pastors.
Paul had a burden for the indiginous people groups of the Western Cape and all of southern Africa. Currently he teaches classes on campus, oversees and participates with the student groups as they work in the townships, and preaches three Sundays each month. Every second Saturday Paul travels to an area 1 1/2 hours from Cape Town to teach and train Xhosa pastors.
Marilyn is from the diamond city, Kimberley. She previously served as a missionary to youth. Currently she fulfills her God-given role as wife and helpmeet to Paul, and mother to Brydon, Aydon, and Tessalyn. She also homeschools the children. Marilyn's particular strengths lie in the area of counseling.
Marilyn especially enjoys teaching the 2-3 year olds in Sunday School which allows her a creative and active ministry with long-term effects. The mothers attend the class with their toddlers so Marilyn's ministry impacts many families on many different levels.
Marilyn offers multi-faceted support to the wives and families, near and far, of the foreign pastors studying at the Bible Institute of South Africa. She is an active witness on campus where she models the manner of a godly woman to the young women who study at BISA. Her home is always open to assist others, whatever the need.
Brydon is 14 years old. He is in 9th grade this school year. His hobbies include running. He excels in cricket and is one of top performers in his age category. He was selected to the regional cricket trials.
Aydon is an active 12 year old. He is in 7th grade this year. He enjoys cricket, but without the intensity of his older brother. Aydon is likes to swim and enjoys Awana.
Both the boys are active in Bible Study and their homeschool group. They study an advanced and comprehensive curriculum under the watchful, teaching eyes of Marilyn. This year they are studying the core subjects of Math, English, Science, Social Studies and History; as well as, Health, Physical Education, Art, Music and Afrikaans.
Tessalyn is 3 years old. She spends her days at mother's side learning from emulating Mariyn. She enjoys her own homeschool time. She especially loves her brothers' attention and her "Funday" School class.