BRETHREN CHURCH IN AFRICA
For 25 years Heart to Heart International has walked alongside communities in KwaZulu-Natal shifting from relief to sustainable transformation through local leadership, discipleship, and presence.
A Network for
Local Relevance
Heart to Heart International has evolved into a dynamic network of churches operating under the umbrella of the Brethren Church in Africa. A defining characteristic of every church within this network is the commitment to local relevance. These churches are strategically positioned to be intimately engaged with their communities, proactively responding to pressing social issues while faithfully proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel is not just a theological concept but a practical, world-changing mandate. Each local church is unique depending on the needs of the community and the local leaders' expertise.
Born out of a pandemic. Grown into a movement.
OUR JOURNEY The Beginning
The Beginning
Crisis Response
The activities were emotional, practical, and spiritual support for orphaned kids and the Gogo’s who were raising them. Worship gatherings and counselling were held on a weekly basis and medical assistance from volunteers happened from time to time. Food parcels, school uniforms, stationary, and homework clubs were also provided.
The Shift
From relief to development
From relief to development
As communities healed over the years, the activities shifted from outside help going into the community to now identifying local leaders that we journey with and supporting these local pastors to take on the lead in their community.
Today
A network of rooted churches
A network of rooted churches
Heart to Heart International is now a network of churches under the Brethren Church in Africa, focused on church planting, discipleship, healing, and building livelihoods while remaining deeply engaged with and responsive to the needs of their communities
Today
“We believe the Church is called to be more than a place of worship; It is called to be a living presence and a source of restoration within the community.”
The Shift
The Beginning
Re-imagining the Church: Becoming the Solution in Our Communities
Our commitment to serving the local community is deeply embedded in the rhythm of our ministry. Every Wednesday, our local pastoral team gathers for dedicated sessions focused on mutual equipping and spiritual empowerment. The core message that drives these gatherings is profoundly simple, yet transformative: the Church must be the tangible solution to the challenges facing our communities. This conviction fuels our efforts to raise up local shepherds who are naturally connected to the people they serve.
Our strategic approach is centered on fundamental shifts in how we operate:
Moving beyond a focus solely on professional clergy, we are dedicated to activating every member of our congregation to live out their faith as agents of change.
EMPOWERING BELIEVERS
Moving beyond a focus solely on professional clergy, we are dedicated to activating every member of our congregation to live out their faith as agents of change.
EMPOWERING BELIEVERS
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
INSTEAD OF DEPENDENCY
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
INSTEAD OF DEPENDENCY
Our goal is respectful, dignified partnerships that lead to lasting empowerment, not short-term dependence. We are intentional in our programs and follow local leadership so service is meaningful and the community is honored.
DISCIPLESHIP
INSTEAD OF OCCASIONAL OUTREACH
We are replacing irregular, once-off events with continuous, intentional discipleship pathways that lead to genuine life transformation.
PRESENCE
INSTEAD OF VISITATION
We strive for consistent, authentic presence within our communities, making us a reliable and integrated part of the community fabric, not just occasional visitors.
Practical Example: A Shift from Foreign Missions to Local Empowerment
Embo Clinic
One of the most powerful examples of this paradigm shift is in our approach to healthcare. We previously relied on international medical missions, which, while helpful, were often irregular and lacked long-term sustainability. Today, we have successfully established a community of Kingdom Doctors ( Hope Medical) . These are local medical professionals who share our vision and have built enduring relationships with our local pastors.
This collaboration has culminated in the establishment of our first permanent clinic at one of our ministry bases. This facility is not dependent on foreign visitors; it is staffed by a permanent social worker/health worker who is dedicated to the ongoing care of our community. This initiative was a direct, needs-based response to a clear and urgent challenge articulated by our community: the medical care in the area is still "shocking." By responding to this specific pressure point, the church acts as the discerning leader, guided by the genuine needs of the people, demonstrating the love of Christ in a tangible, health-restoring way. This is the essence of our redefined mission: to embody the solution
Pastoral Care
We spend every Wednesday with our local pastoral team, equipping and empowering each other. The message is simple -we as the church have to be the solution to our community challenges, raising local shepherds, empowering community believers, building relationships instead of dependency, discipleship instead of occasional outreach, and presence instead of visitation.
These sessions are helping our pastoral team to discern themselves as peace makers so our preaching and teaching are aimed to empower our community to receive Jesus as the solution for restoration of life here on earth and in heaven. We have done a lot of work on re-imagining church as the answer to social ills, not just the way to escape the earth to heaven
Empowering the Next Generation
We believe that transforming a community begins with investing in its young people. Through our Life Coaching & Goal-Setting Programme, we partner with local schools in the Valley of 1000 Hills to equip Grade 8–9 learners with the practical tools, confidence, and vision needed to build a brighter future.
Over a 45-week journey, learners are guided through topics such as emotional wellbeing, identity, communication, healthy relationships, goal setting, self-discipline, and future career readiness. The programme helps young people develop resilience, make wise decisions, strengthen their self-esteem, and create meaningful plans for their future.
By investing in the next generation, we are helping young people discover their potential, overcome challenges, and become positive influences within their families, schools, and communities.
Equipping Communities Through Business
We also work on training those interested in small business , so here is the most critical solution for our communities as poverty is very evident. We have positioned our ministry to engage Kingdom business leaders to acknowledge that there is a problem and current systems are not talking to the problem but window dressing.
We have spent decent time looking into existing programmes such as Enterprise Development (ED), Corporate Training and Development Budget and Preferred Supplier . We have collected a group of forward thinking leaders . This has been an exciting space for us to engage business leaders and speak the language they understand but also bring Kingdom principles in this space.
Small business leaders from our communities have been engaged with development and support. Businesses such as recycling, cell phone repairs, food security, and sewing have been initiated, but we still have a long way to go.