GAP Year Programme

The Biblical Worldview
Academy

BWVA

Biblical Worldview Boot Camp

"I searched for a man among them who would build up a wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it."

— Ezekiel 22:30

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The Vision

A Year That Changes Everything

As a Christian young person, can you think of any better way to spend a year of your life than enlisting in a rigorous, Bible-saturated, Christ-centred bootcamp?

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Sound Doctrine & Apologetics

Equipped with sound doctrine, apologetics and ethics to prepare you for university or the job force — equipped to stand firm for Christ in the marketplace of ideas.

Col. 2:6–8

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A Christian Mind

Armed with a Christian mind to defend the gospel against the intellectual onslaught of an anti-Christian society, to refute competing worldviews, embracing the lordship of Christ over all of life.

Rom. 12:2 · Eph. 1:19–23 · 2 Cor. 10:3–5

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Corporate & Private Worship

Mentored towards strong habits of private and corporate worship — a rhythm of daily meeting with God and His Word.

Josh. 1:8–9 · Ps. 1, 19, 119 · Acts 2:42

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Physical Excellence

Pushed to new limits in your physical fitness and care of your bodily temple — because disciplined bodies and disciplined minds go hand in hand.

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Adventure & Exploration

Embarking on field trips and hikes to explore the history and beauty of South Africa, viewing it all through a distinctly biblical lens.

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Community & Friendship

Learning and exploring in community with some of the best and brightest young Christians in South Africa — making friendships for a lifetime.

Join us in learning how to make a life before you make a living.
Admissions

Who Should Apply?

If these goals grip your heart, capture your mind, and set your soul ablaze — we want you. Apply today; space is limited.

Criteria

  • Credible profession of faith in Christ

    Or grappling with your faith yet willing to learn

  • Ages 17 – 25

    Open to post-matric students and young adults up to 25

  • Willing to be taught

    From the perspective of the Sola Five Confession of Faith

All students will be expected to write a letter motivating why they want to participate in the GAP Year.

Credit Options

Certificate

Biblical Worldview Certificate

This course can be taken by high school matriculants (graduates) for a Certificate in Biblical Worldview.

High School

4 High School Credits

Upon request, approved Grade 12 students may earn 4 high school credits — English, Social Studies, Bible, and Physical Education. Parents would be responsible to register with HomeLifeAcademy to add these credits to an American High School Diploma.

Curriculum

Books & Video Series

Students engage with a carefully curated library of the most formative works in Christian thought, apologetics, and worldview studies.

Books

  1. Biblical Doctrine MacArthur & Mayhue
  2. Understanding the Times Myers & Noebel
  3. Discipling Nations Miller
  4. The Battle For The Beginning MacArthur
  5. Do More Better Challies
  6. 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You Reinke
  7. The Legacy of William Carey Mangalwadi
  8. Saving Leonardo Pearcey
  9. Pilgrim's Progress Bunyan
  10. How Christianity Changed the World Alvin J. Schmidt
  11. 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity Lennox

Video Series

  • How Should We Then Live? Schaeffer
  • The Consequences of Ideas R.C. Sproul
  • Apologetics R.C. Sproul
  • A Blueprint For Thinking R.C. Sproul
  • Puritan Select Series
  • Male & Female He Created Them Burk et al.
  • Must The Sun Set On The West? Mangalwadi
Faculty

Meet Your Teachers

Our faculty combine academic rigour with genuine pastoral hearts — men who love their Saviour, love the Word, and love to see young minds shaped by truth.

MNA

Michael Neves Alves

Omnibus · Worldview · Physical Training

Mike qualified as a Physiotherapist from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2021. He is now a student at Shepherd's Seminary. Mike also teaches the Omnibus course for Grace & Truth, which expounds the great books that shaped the greatest civilisations.

He has been faithfully attending Antioch Bible Church since 2018, serving in the Youth Ministry and Music Ministry. His spare time (which is rare) is filled with reading books, running, playing soccer, and playing music — usually in that order.

As of July 2023, he married his beloved bride Jana Marie, and as of May 2025, their family grew to three. Mike, Jana Marie, and Hudson reside happily within Johannesburg.

NK

Neil Kruger

Systematic Theology · Apologetics · Discipleship

Neil has a Master of Science in Quantitative Risk Management from North-West University and is currently pursuing his Master of Theology in Systematic Theology at the same institution. He is also a graduate of Shepherds Seminary Africa and holds a Bachelor of Theology Honours from Mukhanyo Theological College.

Neil works as a quantitative analyst in the financial sector and is a member of Antioch Bible Church, where he serves by using his gifts and passion for discipleship and teaching. An avid reader, he rarely goes anywhere without a book.

At home, Neil enjoys life with his wife, Ulrike, and their two boys. His love for the classroom and mentoring young minds flows from his deep love for his Saviour, God's Word, and seeing the Truth shape the lives of those young minds.

Format

How The Year Works

A structured yet life-giving rhythm of rigorous academics, deep community, and physical discipline — all woven together in one transformative year.

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Three Mornings a Week

Classes are held three mornings a week at The Roost in Fairland. At break times, students can enjoy playing pool, table tennis, or chatting around the fire pit.

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Friday Chapel & Mentoring

On Fridays, students meet for Chapel and mentoring with the broader community at the Gereformeerde Kerk in Randburg.

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12 Hours of Class + 8 Hours Reading

Each week, students will be expected to do about 8 hours of reading and preparation for their 12 hours of class time. Class discussions encourage students to share, sharpen one another, and apply wisdom to their own lives.

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~20 Hours Free Per Week

Students will still have about 20 hours a week for work, job shadowing, or additional studies.

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Personal Mentoring Plan

A personalised mentoring plan developed for each student, including accountability regarding private worship, corporate worship, small groups, use of digital media, and physical training.

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Physical Challenge

The physical training plan includes preparation for one of the following events to be completed before the final month:

  • Half Marathon
  • 21 km run (e.g. Soweto Marathon)
  • 90 km cycle (e.g. 94.7 Cycle Challenge)
  • 1.6 km swim (e.g. Sun City Swim)
  • Club sport (e.g. netball, rugby, squash, soccer)
Field Trips

South Africa As Your Classroom

Proposed trips designed to place every landscape, monument, and museum in its proper biblical and historical context.

01

Johannesburg City Tour

Red Bus Tour in Johannesburg with a Christian response to the Apartheid Museum.

02

Pretoria Heritage

Voortrekker Monument & Union Buildings — South Africa's political and Afrikaner heritage in view.

03

Cradle of Humankind

A creationist perspective on Maropeng — the Cradle of Humankind and the Sterkfontein Caves.

04

Limpopo Mission Camps

Attending the Godly Young Men / Maidens Camps — learning from rural missionaries in Limpopo.

05

Antioch Church Camp

Attending the annual Antioch Church Camp alongside the broader church family.

06

Mpumalanga Slackpacking

4-night slackpacking trail through the breathtaking landscapes of Mpumalanga.

07

Kruger National Park

Game viewing in Kruger National Park with church planters active in the area.

08

Cape Town & Franschhoek

Climbing Table Mountain and Lion's Head · Touring Robben Island · Visiting the Huguenot Museum in Franschhoek.

Tuition & Application

Invest in the Year That Matters

All tuition, adventure trips, and books are included in the annual fee.

Enrolment Fee
R1,000
Once-off, paid on application
Annual Tuition
R44,000
Includes tuition, adventure trips & all books

Payment & Practical Details

  • Tuition can be paid in ten monthly instalments due 31 January – 31 October 2026
  • Tea and coffee provided on class days — please pack your own lunch
  • Apply for our Work Study Programme if you need a job in the area
  • Inquire about boarding options by emailing gap@graceandtruthco-op.com

Ready to stand in the gap?

Apply Now

Write a letter motivating why you want to join — space is limited.

Resource

What Is a Worldview?

A worldview is simply how you explain things. It refers to how you — usually without conscious thought — assimilate, interpret, and respond to the events, people, and objects that you encounter every day.

By Joel James, Pastor-Teacher of Grace Fellowship Church, Pretoria & Academic Dean, Shepherds' Seminary

Read the Full Article
"Could anything be more important than constructing and maintaining a truly biblical worldview from Scripture?" — Joel James