After months of being without a minister the St. John Lutheran Church in Preeceville acquired a new minister. Pastor Hein Bertram arrived from South Africa on January 9 and held his first sermon on January 10. He had previously visited in Preeceville on June 24 for a short period prior to him taking the position.
He was ordained as minister in 2008 and spent numerous years spreading the Lutheran word. Bertram had spent some time in the mining community in Koffiefontein, South Africa until the mine closed. He went on to pursue his hobby of clock making but the sales were sketchy. With everything beginning to fall apart in South Africa and no calling for him as a minister he and his wife made the decision to move to Canada. Bertram’s oldest sister had already made the move to Carlyle years ago and now is a doctor for that community.
Bertram enjoys many hobbies that include being a ham radio operator. He was involved in the navy as a radio officer. He said he was the individual who sent the last posting for a Morris code message.
The opportunity to practice the faith that he firmly believes in came up when he saw an advertisement for a minister in the community of Preeceville. He jumped at the chance to make a better live for himself and his family. His wife and grandchildren will join him in a few months in Preeceville once they have completed all the paper work.
“I love Preeceville,” said Bertram. “I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and being involved in the community. Preeceville is exactly where God wants me to be and it felt like coming home the moment I stepped into Preeceville.”
He is an accomplished accordion and trumpet player who says he gets his ability from his family who all played brass instruments and were all members of the choir in church. In Preeceville, he will be teaching trumpet lessons to students who want to learn how to play. He said he wants to learn how to cross-country ski and enjoys swimming, snorkelling and diving.
