26.03.2007

Japie Conradie Slabbert was born on 27 September 1926 in the small town of Klipplaat in the Eastern Cape. After his schooling, he went to work for the post office in Port Elizabeth who also transferred him to Pretoria in 1943. The following year he met Anna Schutte, whom he married on 29 June 1946 in the congregation of Gezina. Their union was blessed with two children, a son, Japie, and a daughter, Elsa, who unfortunately passed away in June 1974.

Apostle Slabbert was introduced to the faith by his wife and mission workers, and was sealed by the District Apostle HF Schlaphoff on 21 November 1946. The same day he was ordained as a Sub-Deacon. With time he served as Rector for Pretoria North, Wolmer, Rosslyn and Hercules congregations, as well as the District Evangelist for the Hercules District. In October 1975 he was invited by the Chief Apostle Streckeisen to Switzerland, where he received the Bishop ministry in Zurich-Hottingen. He was to receive the apostle ministry the next year. This occurred on Pentecost, 6 June 1976, when he was ordained by Chief Apostle Streckeisen in the Netherlands.

District Apostle Kitching (snr) then requested Apostle Slabbert to relocate to Johannesburg in 1977. Here he faithfully served as an Apostle until his retirement by Chief Apostle Fehr on 2 February 1992, during a service in the Standard Bank Arena. During his years of service, Apostle Slabbert served under 5 Chief Apostles and 7 District Apostles. Sadly Apostle Slabbert passed away on 10 March 2007. Many friends and family came to bid him farewell when District Apostle Kitching conducted the funeral service on 15 March in Dinwiddie.