Ministry
Minister
Our new Minister as from 1 March 2018, the Rev. Wayne van Heerden, was born and grew up in Newcastle, northern KwaZulu-Natal. He attained a Bachelor of Theology degree in 1994 from the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
Finally, when Wayne was called into the ministry, God gave him the following word: “Feed My sheep; care for My sheep.” Therefore, in his ministry he seeks to fulfill this word through caring, preaching and teaching .
While doing his probation at the Upper Umgeni Presbyterian Church, Howick, he met his wife Frances. In 1999, they were married, and in the same year he was ordained into the ministry of the PCSA, which later became the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA). Wayne and Frances are blessed with two children, namely: David (16) and Angela (12). The Rev. Wayne van Heerden follows the following Philosophy of Ministry: as a minister of the gospel and has been ordained to Word and Sacrament. What does this mean to him?
It means that as a pastor and minister he has to have a good understanding of the Bible, and need to be able to preach and teach the Word of God to the best of his understanding.
It means that the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion are important sacred moments in our Christian faith. Therefore, both sacraments need to be practiced with respect, importance and sacredness.
- Ministry cannot be the task of but one person. Consequently ministry is a BODY ministry in which the whole congregation is involved. A minister becomes a member of a TEAM, firstly as a leader who leads a leadership team, and secondly, the minister gives vision and mentors the congregation towards the will and purpose of God.
- Ministry is an opportunity to help individuals discover their spiritual gifts and talents. His strengths in ministry are threefold: preaching, teaching and caring. Therefore, as minister he helps others discover their gifts as per the encouragement of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:11-13.
- People need to know that they are loved. Wayne believes that God, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, has given him a pastoral heart. He enjoys meeting people in the different seasons of their lives, and enjoys building a relationship with them. Relationship is important, because it gives one the privilege of bringing Jesus to people’s hearts!
