Dean & Study Leaders

Area:  United States

Head Professor: Linda A. Ratcliff, Th.D., Ed.D.

President and founder of TU, has spent her entire life teaching, 15 years in elementary school, and also three years teaching English in Japan via the Internet. She is the author of several workbooks used by the university. She wrote the only faith-based day care seminar to be approved in Texas for 20 CEU's, and taught that in Texas for several years to day care providers and workers. She has been a pastor's wife, and has always been active in her church as board member, treasurer, Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, and member of the music ministry team as keyboard player, choir director or singer, or hammered dulcimer player. Her experience as a business owner/operator for 18 years has been invaluable in running the day-to-day operation of the school.

Area:  Pretoria; Vanderbijlpark; Klerksdorp

(North West); Bloemfontein (Free State); Western Cape

Dean of South Africa Prof. Marlize Lamprecht

From primary school Prof Marlize already showed interest in research enrolling in the EXPO for young scientist where she competed in grade 5 against pupil between grade 10 – 12 in the category mental health.  She obtained second place in the regional level and was invited to compete on the South African National level in the same year.  As she continued with these competitions, she sometimes attended court cases during her high school years following up on cases for her research while her pears were attending school.  Some of the subjects that she covered were:  The population growth in South Africa; Drug use and abuse and the impact of societies attitude towards the physically disabled.  Video footages were taken of her Drug abuse presentation while her research document was used as a preventative manual to be used in schools and other community areas in Nelspruit at the time.  She was advised to publish the document and it was used years later as part of a manual for a counselling institute giving courses.  It comes as no surprise that she was a library prefect in both primary school as well as the last 3 years of her high school career.  Prof Marlize only started her official counselling, alternative healthcare and ministry training at the age of 25 upon which she became a faculty lecturer at 31 years of age, assistant Professor at 32 and one of the youngest Professors at the age of 34. Children is a passion for Prof Marlize as she acted as a debutant and raised funds for the Red Cross.  She was a children’s church leader for several years, managed her own children’s centre and specialised her counselling focus on the assessment and intervention of children.  She is currently running a private practice, and offers specialised programs for children such as emotional regulation, social skills development and self-esteem improvement through the play with Lego ® bricks and offers a bully buster’s program for both the victim as well as the bully.  Prof Marlize expanded her field of expertise by becoming a specialist supervised contact practitioner in high conflict family matters as well as assisting children understanding divorce matters and their rights on an age-appropriate level in order to relieve the stress levels of the whole family and also to reduce the risk of parental alienation.  She wrote a book on sexual abuse and the recovery process and also assists in group therapy for adult victims of childhood trauma. Prof Marlize’s passion for the work she does and the gift of knowledge started with a prayer when she was only 8 years old, after hearing how King Solomon pleased the Lord when he asked for wisdom instead of wealth and riches.  

Area:  Gauteng Pretoria

Prof Gerhard Steyn (Study Leader)

Prof Gerhard Steyn is the Presiding Pastor at Victory Life Christian Church, Annlin, Pretoria. Prof Gerhard has been in ministry for over 30 years and function in both the Apostolic and Prophetic gifts.  He teaches the message of Christ and Christ as the Crusified. His mission is to spread the Good news of the Gospel of Christ who is our Redeemer, who died for our sins, that we are already forgiven and reconciled through His perfect work.  The Kingdom of God is within us. 

Area:  Johannesburg

​International:  Zambia

Prof. Nicolas Marais (Study Leader)

Prof. Nicolas Marais is passionate about apostolic ministry and education within the body of Christ. Nicolas has had extensive practical experience in establishing and leading a diverse group of Christian schools spread out over South Africa. He has assisted many other ministers reach their apostolic potential through his teaching and prophetic ministry gift. He is also a registered counsellor in South Africa. Professor Nicolas Marais is serving in his capacity as an associate professor with Therapon University .

Area:  Mpumalanga: Sundra  

Prof. Pieter van Wijk (Study leader)

Prof. Pieter has been an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the past 40 years. He has been ministering on Radio Pulpit for nearly six years and has 22 years of experience in radio      broadcasting. (E.F.M 93.9fm: Lekker FM.98.3fm). He and his wife, Prof. Elize, live in Mpumalanga. She also studied at Therapon University obtained a D.Minand DD degrees. Prof. Pieter started his theological training in 1982. He obtained a certificate in Theology, diploma in Theology, B.Th-degree, MTh-degree, DD, and PhD.( DD; Ph.D. through Therapon University). He studied at Global Evangelical Christian College and Seminary where he also obtained Ph.D. in 2008. 

Area:  Eldorado Park

Prof. Meshack van Wyk (Study Leader)

Dr Meshack van Wyk is the Principle and Dean of Life Development Institute, formerly known as HOPE School of Counselling established in 2006.  He is a family man, married to Florence van Wyk and together they have three children.  He is an ordained pastor and Apostle of a church called Harvesttime Evangelical Ministries in Eldorado Park as of which he is the founder and visionary as well as the presiding Apostle.  He specializes in crisis, trauma, pre-marriage, family and marriage counselling as well as family and divorce mediation and domestic violence intervention / mediation.  

Dr van Wyk is a specialist wellness counsellor, accredited family and divorce mediator, pastoral counsellor and consultant.  

Area:  

Western Cape:  Paarl; Gouda; Somerset west

​Gauteng:  Benoni; Boksburg; Centurion

​KZA:  Durban

​Namibia:  Tsumeb; Gobabis; Swakop​

Prof. Jacoba E. Mare (Study Leader)

Prof Jackie grew up in a Pentecostal environment and is married to Dr. Rudi Maré, a well-known Oncologist in South Africa. Since 2003 she served in Word and Life Ministries, under Pastor Ronnie Barnard. In 2007 she resigned as the CEO of the Ubertijama Groupof Companies to go into the    ministry full time. She joined the Amasia team, which wasestablished in 1984, and who, under her leadership, became Heal the Land Ministries, which is now an NPO in South Africa with churches and establishments in South Africa, Namibia, and the USA. The ministry has established Inner-healing and Deliverance, Apostolic-prophetic, and kingship equipping programs throughout the globe and is building Thereupon University as the Lord leads.  She has led numerous missionary outreaches in many countries around the globe, among them Malaysia, Singapore, the USA,     Switzerland, Vietnam, Borneo, Namibia, Swaziland, etc. 

Area:  Gauteng:  Midrand; Boksburg

Prof. Richard Reddy (Study Leader)

Ps Richard hails from Durban, resides in Johannesburg, and a permanent citizen of heaven. Has been actively involved in ministry for three decades. He travelled across the world, East to West, North, and South in pursuit of the law and the Word. Spent more than 30 years, in the SAPS started as an officer and retired as a Colonel but nevertheless a commander in the armies of the living God. He has collaborated with the likes of the FBI and Interpol, and is trained in weaponry and tactics, and, more so trained in strategic warfare in the spirit. He holds a Doctorate in Theology, Degree in Policing and has obtained a Postgraduate qualification in Educational Management. He is well versed in the industry and responsible for grooming, coaching, and mentoring business people and industry professionals. His heart and labour have been to reform and build lives, marriages, and families. Hosted Prayer Conferences at an international level in countries like Namibia, Botswana, and interprovincially South Africa. 

Area:  Pretoria

Prof. Julius Mengot Mbu (Study Leader)

Author of Partnership Dynamics, Wealth Creation & 5Ps. Prof Julius Mengot Mbu is a man devoted to passionately serving the Lord. He is the Senior Pastor at Hope Baptist Church, Pretoria in South Africa, and CEO of the Center for Leadership Excellence for African Nations (CLEAN).  His scholarly work culminating in an LLB, a Diploma in Political Science; LLM (from UP), Advanced Certificate on Good Governance, Diploma in African Leadership, (from TMALI- Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute), an Advanced Certificate on the Right to Development, also an Advanced Certificate on Civil Society Law in Africa(UP) and a Doctorate in Divinity (from Therapon University).

Area:  Gauteng:  Krugersdorp

Rev. Hennie Brits Jnr (Study Leader)

Rev Hennie Brits is part of the team of AMEN academy where he is actively involved in the management as well as training the students in spiritual studies.  His passion is working with children and adolescents, especially those going through trauma and rejection.  The Lord uses Rev Hennie strongly and effectively in the field of training, and therefor also his love for it.

Area:  Krugersdorp

Prof. Eric Heath (Study Leader)

Prof. Eric is the founding pastor and current President of Galilee Word Ministries (NPC). His background as a professional Organizational Development Consultant and specializing in mentorship and leadership development supports him well in this role. They actively conduct tent outreaches to various parts of Limpopo, the Free State, as well as Mozambique to reach the lost with the Gospel.  Due to a prophetic word on his calling, he launched Binah Advanced Bible College – a Hebrew word meaning “To teach with insight and understanding”. The College migrated in 2019 to an online Learning Management System (LMS) to equip potential pastors with a true Biblical foundation of the Gospel and leadership skills.

Area:  Pretoria Hercules

Prof Abraham Smith (Study Leader)

Prof Abrie Obtained his Baccalaureus Degree in Industrial Psychology at UNISA in 1992.  Between 2005 – 2007 he further obtained Cum Laude at both Diploma courses in Ministry as well as Leadership while studying at Christian Life Training Centre.  After being ordained as a Pastor in 2008, Prof Abrie also became a Marriage officer and a registered counsellor in the same year.  He completed several Post graduate studies since then underwhich the following:  Masters Degree in Christian Counselling; Doctor of Theology in the Discip

Area:  Gauteng:  Kemptonpark; Benoni; Alberton.  

Durban:  St Lucia & England

Prof. Lizelle Pietersen (Study Leader)

Prof. Lizelle has completed her studies through Therapon University and achieved her Doctorate Degree in Theology. She joined Servants Global Ministries in 2004 and became Dean of their Bible School in 2005. In 2015 she was appointed as Professor at Therapon University SA. Prof. Lizelle travelled extensively in South Africa, Africa and abroad. Her desire and passion is to reveal and manifest Christ the Messiah, the Anointed One in the earth and to make His Voice known among all.  Prof. Lizelle is married to Prof. Colin Pietersen, a leader and father to many sons and daughters in Christ. Together they steward Servants Global Ministries an Apostolic Ministry that is commissioned by God to train leaders and servants of the Lord.

Area:  Mpumalanga: Sundra

Prof. Jean-Pierre Muller (Study Leader)

After working for a couple of years in the banking sector once Prof Jean-Pierre matriculated where he grew up in Pretoria, the Holy Spirit transformed his life, life’s goals and ambitions drastically at age 26.  A holy reverence has guided him since, and all previous and future accomplishments changed to the goal of glorifying Jesus Christ. Prof Jean-Pierre was called by God in 2012 to move from the congregation he and his wife attended to a small congregation in Sundra in Mpumalanga where they became part of Dunamis World Crusades, and started the youth ministry. Prof Jean-Pierre was ordained as a pastor by Prof PG van Wijk in 2014, received his Doctorate degree in Theology in 2019 and was appointed as Professor in 2020lecturing at their centre, Exousiis.  

Area:  Krugersdorp

Prof. Gerrie Bester

Prof Gerrie Bester PhD CA(SA) has been an ordained minister for over 25 years with a doctorate in Theology as well as a PHD. He is furthermore a teacher, and scholar of the Hebrew language. He is the head minister of Christian Faith worship centre (CFWC) based in Gauteng. CFWC has live streaming and training centres across the world. 

Prof Gerrie is also the head of Emet academy of learning, serving the whole Kingdom of Abba Father by providing education for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the Word of Abba Father, His Power, Presence Anointing, and the practical application thereof. The foundation of EMET Academy of Learning is of Sola Scriptura meaning that we recognize one source as being the word of God and that is the scriptures (Bible) as we know them. 

At EMET Academy of Learning, we train those who would like to enhance their knowledge of the scriptures in order to make a difference in their current workplace or full-time ministry. Our aim at EMET is to provide men and women with the skills to be effective witnesses, leaders, and stewards of the Good News of the Gospel, firstly, to all believers around the world – and then to the lost souls we meet daily as part of the great commission (Mat 28), in the secular world.

Area:  Gauteng:  Kensington

Prof. Emmanuel Sesan Raji (Study Leader)

Prof Emmanuel is an astute teacher of the Word.  His studies were in the field of Theology in the discipline of Divinity as a Bachelor Degree; Biblical counselling for his Masters and he obtained a PhD Degree in Biblical Theology through Therapon University.  

Area:  Pretoria East

Prof. Jan van Jaarsveld (Study Leader)

Prof Jan van Jaarsveld have been involved as a Professor with Therapon University since 2009.  His school is called Shema Messianic school where Prof Jan is more involved with the research and developing study material for future students. This school is based in Pretoria but are available for any student who want to study the Bible more in depth as he is totally devoted to the Word of God and sees his students as disciples.  Prof Jan is wholeheartedly devoted to Therapon University.  

Area:  Krugersdorp

Dr. Hennie Brits Snr (Study Leader)

Dr Hennie Brits is the founder of AMEN academy and still actively partaking in Spiritual work and Evangelism which is where his passion lies.  Another passion of his are people and that lead to the existence of AMEN academy where anyone can learn how to serve your neighbour.    He specialises in the field of counselling, deliverance and traumatised patients.  

Area:  Gauteng:  Kemptonpark; Benoni; Alberton.  Durban:  St Lucia  & England

Prof. Colin Pietersen (Study Leader)

Prof Colin is the founder of Servants Global Ministries since 1980 and has served as an Apostle to the Nations. He was trained by the Baptists and the Pentecostals and then served with the Assemblies of God Fellowship where he became head of Evangelism and Church Planting. He furthered his studies through Therapon University where he obtained a Doctorate in Theology and a Doctorate in Philosophy.

Area:  Melkbosstrand (Western Cape)

Prof Marius Falck

Prof Marius Falck was in 1957 and started his school career in Malmesbury, Western Cape and completed his school in Paarl.  He did his Theological studies at the University of Stellenbosch and obtained the following degrees:  BA, BTH,MTH,MA, along with a Diploma in Counselling at the University of South Africa. Prof Marius was a Reverend in the Dutch Reformed Church for 34 years and then went on early retirement to become a full time Counsellor in Mental Wellness. He further received his Masters in Theology at Therapon University in 2008 and his PhD in 2015. Some of the courses that Prof Marius presents to students include:  Biblical Counselling, Mental Wellness, Imago, Narrative, Trauma Counselling, Counselling in Music, And Brightstar

Area:  Assiting Prof Marlize Lamprecht Nationally

Prof Claudia Sigamoney

Dr. Claudia Sigamoney is a visionary leader who integrates faith, education, and business excellence to drive transformational change. With extensive experience in academia, corporate strategy, and ministry leadership, she has been instrumental in developing programs that cultivate leaders with a Kingdom-centered approach. Her expertise spans strategic leadership, research supervision, and organisational development, empowering individuals to align their purpose with God’s divine plan. She holds, amongst others, a secular PhD,  a Doctor of Ministry (DMin), and a PhD in Ministry, equipping her with academic and spiritual insight to bridge the gap between faith and the marketplace.