Pastor Barend Petersen ordained in 1995, is the Deputy President of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa and a National Office Bearer since 2012. He was the General Treasurer from 2012 to 2021. He is the Chairman of the AFM Theological College, a member of the Doctrine, Ethics and Liturgy Committee, a member of the Financial Advisory Board and a member of the Governing Body of the Education and Training Department. Pastor Petersen led the team that turned around the financially distressed AFM Welfare department from 2017 to 2022. Pastor Barend represented the AFM at the World Council of Churches’ 11^th Assembly in Germany in 2022. He was the Director of the AFM National Youth from 1999 to 2003.

Pastor Barend was honoured and recognised in 2016 as an AFM veteran for his role in the unification of the AFM in 1996. Pastor Petersen initiated the honouring of AFM Pastors with 40 years of service in 2016. Pastor Barend initiated the founding of the AFM Campus Ministries in 2015. He was the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the AFM from 1996 to 1999 and from 2005 to 2012. He was the chairman of the Finance Committee of the AFM Composite Church from 1992 to 1996.

Pastor Barend is the former Regional Chairperson of the AFM Western Cape Region and was a member of the Regional Committee for 31 years from 1985 to 2016. He was the Regional Youth Leader (1984 – 1987) and Office Bearer (1980-1991)  of the AFM Western Cape Regional Youth.

Pastor Barend is the presiding pastor of the AFM Blackheath assembly in Cape Town since 2002 with a vision of “…a spiritual home at all times.” The growth in the congregation required the expansion of its facilities. A new 1,000-seater AFM Church was inaugurated on 10 December 2017. One of the focus areas of his ministry is the education of the youth and more than 50 diplomas, degrees and postgraduate degrees have been awarded to members of the AFM Blackheath since 2003. The lack of socio-development facilities, the absence of a public library and the literacy problems experienced by the scholars and students in the Blackheath area led Pastors Barend and Dawn to start the Evergreen Development Trust. A shebeen situated next to the Church, was acquired and demolished and a place of despair was turned in 2010 into a place of hope with a new multi-purpose building, the Evergreen Resource Center housing a private library and various programs for the benefit of learners and the community.

Pastor Petersen grew up in the AFM Ravensmead and actively participated in congregational activities from an early age. He was a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Secretary and Youth Leader, Deacon, Elder and member of the AFM Ravensmead Church Council from 1981 to 2002 and served as co-Pastor from 1995 until 2002. He published the 85-year history of the AFM Ravensmead in 2018.

Pastor Petersen is a member of the Steering Committee of the Mining Faith Reflection Initiative involving the Methodist, Anglican and Catholic churches and the major mining companies. Those involved in the Initiative share a vision for mining to better serve the common good, by enabling those engaged and affected by its activities to lead lives that are fulfilled, just, and reflect human dignity and respect. They do so with regard to both current and future generations. 

Pastor Petersen is a founding member and Chief Facilitator of the Institute of Committed Actions led by the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa bringing the government, mining industry, labour and civil society together and providing safe space for Courageous Conversations between the parties.

Pastor Barend is a board member of the Indlulamithi South African Scenarios 2030. Indlulamithi South Africa Scenarios 2030 is on a quest to inspire communities, institutions and individuals to influence change and help them make informed long-term decisions and to trigger strategic action. Pastor Petersen a chartered accountant, is a well-respected businessman with a wealth of experience as chairman and director of major companies, including multi-jurisdictional and listed enterprises.

He is married to Dawn an ordained AFM pastor, the Treasurer of the AFM National Sisters Fellowship, co-pastor of AFM Blackheath, Chairperson of the AFM Western Cape Region Women’s Fellowship and a Gospel Singer. They are blessed with three daughters.