Meet the Team

MEET THE TEAM

Naomi Engelbrecht

Naomi has a range of experience in youth work, previously a youth and children’s worker in the UK and has delivered group workshops, assemblies and lessons in both primary and high schools since 2011. Naomi has completed training in youth work and internships with Message Academy and Respect ME. Naomi moved to SA in 2015 and has been leading our Message Academy program since 2019.

Naomi is responsible for the day to day running and development of the course as well as spending most of her time with the students. Naomi loves cooking, walking and is married to Gilead from band KineticIV.

Shaun Pretorius

Shaun joined The Message in August 2015 and now oversees our Creative Mission and Training teams. As an experienced youth and young adults pastor having worked with churches, youth groups and various events across Cape Town. Shaun was a victim of drug addiction, and because of this passionate about helping young people excel amidst the challenges and peer pressure they might be facing.

Shaun, alongside his leadership roles oversees our Advance evangelism groups in Cape Town and delivers core teaching around the gospel, evangelism and mission. Shaun is our resident braai master, is married to his beauty wife, Tracy-Ann and has a daughter called Bailey.

Tim Tucker

Tim Tucker is CEO of The Message Trust South Africa. Originally from the UK, he moved to Cape Town in 1998 and has been involved in leading christian non-profit organisations since 2021. Tim obtained a PHD in practical theology from North-West university. He is passionate about investing in emerging leaders and seeing people fulfil their potential in faith and life.

Tim delivers many teaching sessions at The Message Academy and developed the ‘Grab a Towel’ course on servant leadership that we use each year. Tim is a lover of Nando’s sauce, hearty cooking and is married to Christina and has 4 children; Caleb, Samuel, Erin and Faith.

Stacey Tait

Stacey has been part of the Academy family since 2019 and is one of our regular guest tutors. She is part of the leadership team at GC Church in Woodstock, Cape Town. Stacey has completed her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and is passionate about helping others to flourish in every form of communication, both creatively and with clarity.

Stacey delivers sessions and coaching on various forms of communication, which includes public speaking, writing, videography and social media. Stacey loves everything creative and her biggest joy is seeing others rise to their creative potential too. Stacey could demolish a mountain of burgers and has a new found obsession with Formula One.

Christina Tucker

Christina Tucker, originally from the UK has over 15 years experience as a schools worker, formally a part the band Twelve24. Christina is also an artist ‘ChrissyT’ and a dynamic communicator.

Christina is responsible for the creative elements of Message Academy. Whether it’s creative tuition, teaching on creative mission or mentoring sessions Christina is heavily involved in Academy life. Christina loves music, a good sushi returaunt and has 4 children; Caleb, Samuel, Erin and Faith.

Stacey Tait

Christina Tucker

Christina Tucker, originally from the UK has over 15 years experience as a schools worker, formally a part the band Twelve24. Christina is also an artist ‘ChrissyT’ and a dynamic communicator.

OUR CORE TEAM ARE JOINED BY PARTNERS, TUTORS AND TEACHERS FROM MANY OF OUR PARTNER ORGANISATIONS AND FRIENDS OF THE MESSAGE

AND MANY MORE…