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Reverend John Daniel (Father) Kestell (1854-1941) was a wellknown minister of religion in the Dutch Reformed Church. Through various actions he earned himself the nickname of "Father (Vader) Kestell" among his fellowmen. Although he supported the actions of the Republic of the Orange Free State and the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republic in the South African War (1899-1902), he declined to fight or take up a military rank. He in stead tried to strengthen the faith in God of the burgers and acted as a medical assistant to Boer and Briton when needed. As a chaplain he only wanted to be a minster of religion, no soldier. In this article the actions of Kestell as a Boer chaplain in the War of 1899-1902 are investigated: His motives for supporting the two Republics, his work as a chaplain, his belief in the providence of God, his emotional conflicts in case of Boer losses and his close relations to his president, MT Steyn and his chief of army, General CR de Wet. Kestell was a tipical spiritual shepherd who had an openness to people and their needs and customs. He attracked those in need.

A close relationship existed between the Dutch Reformed Church in the Orange Free State and the Republic of the Orange Free State during the existence of the latter in 1854-1902. This was due to a shared world view and the fact that more than 80% of the voters of the Republic were members of a Dutch Reformed congregation. It has been said that the Dutch Reformed Church in the Free State was a state-church. Although it benefited in the circumstances, the Dutch Reformed Church remained independent and undominated by the government. An own approach could be seen in the thinking, resolutions and actions of the Dutch Reformed Synod in the Free State. Close ties between this church and state were visible in their formal and informal contact. The government supported the Dutch Reformed Church in the Free State spiritually and financially and the latter influenced the policies and actions of the Free State Government. Both institutions held great respect for each other.

Die oogmerke van hierdie eietydse kerkgeskiedenis is tweeledig. Aan die een kant wil ek in die behoefte voorsien om 'n resente geskiedenis van die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (NG Kerk) in algemene sinodale verband te skryf. Om die hoofsake van 'n bietjie minder as twee dekades in hulle hooflyne te boek te stel en krities te bekyk. 'n Kykie wat natuurlik vanuit eietydse en (my) eie oë plaasvind. Die titel kondig dit aan: in die periode na 1994 bevind die NG Kerk hom in die branding. Hierdie jaar het nie alleen in die Suid-Afrikaanse staatsopset 'n nuwe bedeling gebring nie, ook in die NG Kerk. Beter gestel, politiek Suid-Afrika het die NG Kerk in 1994 in 'n nuwe politieke gemeenskap met 'n nuwe etos – in 'n totale nuwe omgewing – geplaas. 'n Etos waarmee die NG Kerk moes rekening hou en wat ook aan hom sou afgee. Daarby het die kerk in hierdie twee dekades heelwat interne verskuiwings beleef: struktureel, liturgies en selfs leerstelling.