Let’s catch up with Heinrich, a dude that has grown up in the windy city of Port Elizabeth. He is busy with his internship and really excited about life. When he not skating up a storm, he’s thrashing away at his guitar. He believes in discipleship and helping people get integrated into their local churches. He wants skaters to be a generation that can change the world by starting within themselves, let’s check some facts on Heindrich.
Personal:
Name? Heinrich Thiart
Age? 21
Hometown? Port Elizabeth
Background? Where you grew up, what you did as a kid – any interesting things.
I grew up in Port Elizabeth, so I’ve always been a city kid, I was kind of nerd as a kid and never really got out much, but my brother and I always used to skate in our backyard on a few narrow concrete strips.
What do you do for a career?
At the moment I am doing an Internship with SonSurf/SonSkate.
Did anything that happened to you while you were young influence you into your career choice?
Definitely, I skated a lot as a kid and then stopped when I got older, but somehow I started again and a few months after that God lead me to SonSkate.
Where and what did you study?
I studied BA-Music Technology at the University of Stellenbosch, I never finished but got out after 2years with a Grade 6 Certificate in Classical Music and a Grade 5 Certificate in Music Theory.
What do you do for fun?
I still enjoy skating a lot; I also play in a Heavy Metal Band.
What is the most relevant topic on your heart at the moment?
To be closer to God and find more clarity and direction for next year and the future.
So you’re in a band, tell us about the band?
The Band is called Sound The Seraphim, we are a heavy-metal band consisting of 6 members, 3 of the 6 are brothers and we all love Jesus.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sound-the-Seraphim/118102534885312?ref=ts
How did it get started?
The Band always struggled to get members with enough skill and the same passion for Christ. It got to the point where they only needed a guitarist. I met Jason (band vocalist, one of the brothers) through SonSurf in PE earlier this year, after we got to know each other he asked me to join.
How long’ve you been sessioning with the guys?
Naturally the brothers have always been jamming together, but I have only been playing with them for a few months. Its been going really good and we have a few gigs in Cape Town and Joburg later this year.
Where do you see the band going and what are the objectives in future regarding the Kingdom of God through the music?
The main objective of the band will always be just to have fun and through that be a presence on stage and at the gigs. We also write lyrics with meaning and try to relate to everyone that listens to our music. Because Metal is usually regarded as negative and is associated with negative elements, we try to bring the light into these dark places and share the love of Christ. We are also always open to share and love to connect with people that would probably never go to church, just to plant that seed.
Extreme Sport:
How old were you when you started your Extreme Sport?
About 11 years old, but I stopped at 14 and then only started again at 19.
Where do you get inspiration?
Mainly from God and from others around me, people I work with and look up to, experiencing God through others.
What has Skating taught you about yourself?
Its way more fun to do something for the love of it, than to do it because you want to be the best at it!
What has it taught you about God?
That through God we have no limits and anything is possible through God.
What are some of the best gigs you have had the opportunity to be involved in?
Being part of the media team at the Billabong Pro, I’m also looking forward to being part of the annual Vertically Insane Comp in Stellenbosch that is coming up later this year!
What influence does God have in your sport?
He keeps me calm and helps me to enjoy doing what I do.
I see you do a lot of work with a Christian outlook; do you believe that even your time and profession should be tithed?
Definitely, everything we do, we do for God and all our time belongs to God, so without a doubt I believe that all that we do should be in honor and for glory to God.
Son Sk8 and Son Surf
What is your aim and purpose for SonSk8?
Our aim is to get skaters saved, but not just to stop there, but to get them discipled and integrated into their local churches. I want skaters to be a generation that can change the world by starting within themselves.
I see you have an internship, tell us a bit about it?
The SonSurf/SonSkate Internship is a program designed to equip leaders for further involvement in Surf and Skate ministry. Through the program you learn everything from managing finances to running Camps and Contests and Biblical Study. All of this equipping you to be a better leader.
God:
Where do you feel God is taking you, or Sonsk8?
I feel that God has led me to SonSkate for a reason and I know my involvement is going to continue in some way or another. I am really passionate about the skating and other alternative cultures and I want to see them saved and living for God.
Do you think you guys can make a Kingdom impact through the sports?
I would like to think that we are already making an impact, I have seen a lot of lives changed and through skating we have brought many people to know God.
Any message to the Skaters and Surfers out there?
Keep on doing what you love, but remember that all the things we love so deeply on this earth was created by God and we enjoy it all to give praise.
Any closing words?
Prayer request for Stellenbosch Skatepark please…
Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Be the light wherever you go and blaze out the darkness!
The SonSkate Stellenbosch skatepark has been running for the last 3 years and now needs to move. At the end of the year we will be losing our venue ‘The Shed’ and we are in a desperate search for a new spot. Over the years the park has influenced a lot of kids and has been like a home to others. Through the park many kids came to know the Lord and it’s been such a blessing for all those involved.
It is an indoor skatepark of about 1000m2, which is quite big, so finding a venue that size for free is not easy. We would love to keep the park in Stellenbosch and we know the kids here don’t want to lose their park, but at the moment anywhere in the Cape Town area is an option. Our time is running out and we need your help to keep the hopes and dreams of all the SonSkate Stellenbosch Skaters alive!
If you have any information that could help us find a venue for the skatepark please let us know. Leave a comment or contact us via email or phone.
Chris van der Merwe chris@lifelight.co.za 0729927408
