On 9 March, Congregational Witness, one of the Task Teams of Witness Ministry, hosted its second Heartstyles Leadership Workshop with pastors from URCSA Cape Eastern Cape Presbyteries, together with two neighbouring presbyteries, Colesberg and George, at URC East London.

In partnership with Jessie Orwin of Innervate, the 18 pastors in attendance were introduced to the Heartstyles leadership concept and tool. The aim of this initiative is to build leadership capacity in alignment with the URCSA Cape priorities, while also shining a light on the inner well-being of pastors, who serve as spiritual guides and pastoral confidants within their congregations.

The workshop was very well received. As one pastor reflected:

“Why did I not learn about Heartstyles earlier in my ministry? It would have made such a difference.”

In the photograph, Rev Stephen Pedro, Manager of Congregational Witness (far left), is pictured with Jessie Orwin of Innervate and the participating pastors.

The workshop was preceded by a Thanksgiving Service and Holy Communion, held in celebration of the 35th anniversary of Witness Ministry as a united ministry of the URCSA–DRC–RCA church family. During the service, Rev André Boezak called upon those present to remain faithful to their calling, after which Holy Communion was served. A communal meal was shared by the congregation following the service.

The weekend concluded with a conversation on the work of Witness Ministry within the Eastern Cape presbyteries, reflecting on current challenges and discerning our priorities and focus going forward.

Overall, the gathering was a blessed and enriching two days. We look forward to introducing this tool to our presbyteries first during this year, and in the years to come, to our congregations and ministries.

Formed from the inside out

“Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

(Proverbs 4:23)

In partnership with Jessie Orwin of Innervate, pastors were invited to reflect not first on strategies or structures, but on the condition of the heart. In a church context where pastors are often expected to be strong, available, and endlessly giving, this invitation felt both countercultural and deeply biblical. It reminded us that God’s work in us always precedes God’s work through us.

The Heartstyles tool gently helped pastors name how they lead, how they relate, and how they carry the weight of ministry. One participant’s honest reflection — “Why did I not learn about this earlier in my ministry?” — echoed a shared longing among those present: the longing to serve faithfully without losing oneself along the way.

As the weekend drew to a close, conversation turned honestly toward the realities facing our presbyteries and congregations in the Eastern Cape — the challenges, the uncertainties, and the questions about where God is calling us next. These conversations were marked not by despair, but by discernment: a shared commitment to listen for God’s voice together.

This gathering reminded us that leadership in the church is not about having all the answers, but about being formed — again and again — in humility, self-awareness, and trust in God. When the hearts of leaders are tended with care, the whole body of Christ is strengthened.

With gratitude, we look ahead to taking this journey further — into our presbyteries this year, and in time, into our congregations and ministries — praying that God will continue to shape leaders who serve not from exhaustion, but from a heart rooted in grace.