About

I believe that what we do in Church on Sundays has the potential to change our lives, and through us, our world.  How we worship defines how we live!

Because of this conviction SACREDISE was brought into being as a publishing, resourcing and training ministry. My quest is to help churches, and the people in them, to turn their worship into moments of deep, transforming encounter with God that lead us out into the world as true followers of Christ and agents of God’s love and justice.

Through books, CDs, seminars, online resources and articles, Sacredise seeks to be a creative, challenging and helpful resource to the Church worldwide.

So, who am I?

“Ever since first meeting John van de Laar several years ago, I have been struck by his unique gifts of mind and heart that have enabled him to make a significant contribution to the worship life of the local congregation. Whatever John does in worship is consistently characterized by a deep respect for the past, a creative openness to the new and a deep love for God and God’s people. I have learnt more from him about designing worship events within the contemporary context than from anyone else I know.” Trevor Hudson

My name is John van de Laar and I am a Methodist minister and worship leader with over twenty five years experience in a wide variety of church and musical settings. I have been the worship director for three National Conferences of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, and the chief liturgist for the dedication of the new Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary in 2010.

I hold a Masters degree in the Theology of Worship Music from UNISA, and I am a published song-writer, musician, and author.

I have been married to Debbie (also a Methodist minister) for twenty-four years, and we have two young adult sons.