Peter Rode and his wife Dulcie are natives of South Africa. They were converted to Christ in Cape Town in 1971. They came to the United States in 1976 to prepare for the ministry. Peter received is B. A. from Freed-Hardeman University in 1979 (summa cum laude) and went on to the Harding University Graduate School of Religion where he graduated with an M.Th. in 1983. They returned in November 1983 to Somerset West, a town 30 miles outside of Cape Town and planted a congregation there. They worked with the Somerset West congregation for ten years before returning to the States in early 1994. By that time the congregation had about 90 members and a building fully paid for. Peter and Dulcie started working with the Friendly Avenue Church of Christ in August 1994.

Dulcie used to play field hockey and still enjoys playing competitive tennis. Peter used to sail, but now enjoys walking and golf. They both love going to the beach having grown up very near to the beaches in South Africa and the beach is still a part of their lives. They have four daughters: Michelle, Abigail, Dale, and Margot. They have five grandsons: Zach, Colby, Nikki, Gabe, and Carson. Dale lives in England, while the rest of the family lives in the States. Both Dulcie and Peter still have brothers, sisters, and other relatives living in South Africa. Presently they have an adorable Yorkshire terrier named Scully and a Himalayan-Persian cat named Smokey.