Help me identify this children's pastor!

April 10, 2011 1:46 PM

I'm watching Jesus Camp, and there's a scene where a South African (I think) guy gets the kids to smash cups while talking about corrupt government. I've googled around, but can't figure out who this guy is. Does anyone know? (Link to a video under the cut.)

He's visible around 47:20 in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CuxwGbSAIE

posted by naturalog to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

I've watched this shocking movie a couple of times. I always assumed he was just some nobody who "worked" there. I've searched too and I can't find any indication he's anyone of note or notoriety.
posted by Decani at 1:52 PM on April 10, 2011

Did you try the commentary?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:42 PM on April 10, 2011

Response by poster: Hm, the commentary is a good thought. I don't have the DVD (I watched it on Netflix Watch Instantly), but might try to obtain it once I'm back stateside.
posted by naturalog at 3:23 PM on April 10, 2011

Best answer: The Internet Wayback machine shows their website recap of Jesus Camp 2005 (when the movie was filmed, I believe). They call him "Pastor Leon" (of South Africa) and mention the cup-smashing.

Doing a search for "children's minister leon south africa", there were some pics of a guy named Leon Kotzé that looks like the guy in the movie, and doing search of his name and becky fischer leads me to these videos (scroll down to the "Kids on Fire" videos #1, 2, and 3), filmed during the camp a few years earlier.
posted by sarahnade at 5:16 PM on April 10, 2011 [2 favorites]

Curses. I got here with the same answer just as sarahnade posted. But it was fun looking, anyway!
posted by gracedissolved at 5:20 PM on April 10, 2011

Just want to say: You can see Leon Koetze referenced in the first 30 seconds of each of those 3 videos. But if you thought the documentary was disturbing, you might not want to watch those videos. the second one features Koetze most prominently as he leads the kids in laying on of hands and "becoming filled with the spirit" (i.e., going catatonic and shivering on the floor) and it is fucking creepy. Just a warning.
posted by sarahnade at 5:31 PM on April 10, 2011 [1 favorite]