Joy Cronje

Senior Pastor at Jesus People, Founder of Brave Life

Status:

Widowed 12 August 2026

Kids:

3 on earth and 2 with Jesus.

Favourite Things:

Scripture, music, prayer, people, gym, biochemistry, outreach, cats, travel, and above all, the presence of the Lord.

Fav Quote:

When You said Seek Your face, my heart said Your face I will seek.

A Bit About Me

When I first encountered Jesus, it was at night on a netball court at a youth camp. That moment was the first one in which I encountered the presence of the Lord in such a tangible, close, supernatural way. And it shaped my future. Suddenly, nothing else mattered. Every pursuit paled in comparison to knowing Him. Jesus was all. Jesus was everything.

I married Antwan at age 19, and I have been in ministry for 25 years. In that time, I walked away from God and made many mistakes. I was like the bride in Hosea, chasing after other lovers and avoiding the painful truths that would help me grow closer to Jesus.

Even so, I was led into the wilderness to face my own true character. And the Lord has graciously led me to a table where I can partake of His goodness, even with a storm around me. What sustains me today, after the loss of my husband, is a revelation of the cross and a walk with the Holy Spirit that is my only fixation.

Psalms 27:4

4 One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

And to meditate in His temple.

Interesting facts

Down syndrome

Pastor Antwan

The Kids

Brave Life, the charity I started, helps kids with Down syndrome and their parents. Our reach is nationwide.

I married Antwan in 2006, and we served the Lord together, started the church, traveled, and preached for 20 good years. He went home to Jesus in August 2026 suddenly.

My kids fill my days. Our eldest, Jordyn, enjoys Jiu Jitsu and has a passion for Jesus. Brave is 8, a wild, rugged young man with Trisomy 21 who loves horseriding and helicopters. Siya, our youngest, is adopted and loves music, people, and cars.