Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Heyward.
Hi Nick, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The story of the formation of Cornerstone Fellowship began with a Sunday morning run. I went running through my neighborhood as I did on a regular basis. I was running and listening to music and was just going through my thoughts. I heard God speak clearly, and He told me that I was going to pastor a church. I was content with my role of founding Prophesied Legacy Ministries and letting that be my platform to share with the world. I was given Ephesians 2:19-20 as the foundational scripture. I felt comfort in the words of the verses hearing about people no longer being strangers. Knowing and believing that Christ is the Chief Cornerstone hearing that the church would be called Cornerstone Fellowship fit perfectly. This was a faith move because I saw my life playing out totally different than this. I was just as excited as I was nervous! I accepted that if God called me to this task He would equip me and see me through it. I had many reservations, but I constantly remembered Noah and the ark, Daniel and the lion’s den, and David facing Goliath. They were all present, but most importantly their faith showed up! I shared the news with a few people, but for the sake of not getting deterred, I prayed more than I shared. Some moves are meant to be made in silence.
As the launch weekend approached more and more obstacles came into play. The week of the launch I had to cancel both the Friday night service and the installation for Saturday. I didn’t know what to do, but I knew aborting the mission was not an option. I prayed and sought the counsel of Pastor Victor Barnwell and I was encouraged to keep pressing forward. I read in Acts 4 about Peter and John going before the Sanhedrin and felt confident that I, just as those unschooled men, had been called and would be equipped for the task ahead.
On August 21, 2022 I was able to witness a dream come to fruition. Back in December of 2020, I had a dream about a church service in Charleston, SC. In the dream, I was in an office and Deacon Timothy James came in to inform me that we had more people present than we had seats for. I questioned the dream because it took place in Charleston, and I was in Houston, TX and that was slated to be my home. Now on August 21 in Summerville the dream came true. We had 45 seats in the church, and when a headcount was done, there were 46 people present. This was proof that God will provide!
We are excited about the growth and success of Cornerstone Fellowship. Faith and obedience to God’s voice has allowed us to impact the community and make additions to God’s kingdom. We are currently up to three fellowship opportunities weekly and looking forward to continued growth.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
This journey has not been without a few headaches and setbacks, but it’s all coming together. The journey has taught me to tune out the white noise and distractions. If you focus on the distractions, you will miss the opportunities that are right in front of you. When you see a storm rather than place yourself in a state of panic search for the calm in the midst of the storm. It is present you just have to be still and quiet to find it. Individuals will come along and desire to attach themselves to your vision and their agenda may not align with your own. In order to be a success and have maximum impact you have to stay the course and be focused. You don’t have to attend every fight you are invited to, and every comment does not deserve a response. Rather than having a changed mind, learn to work with a transformed mind because changes will fade but transformations give you access to God’s provisions. Learn to rejoice when you see the struggles because your breakthrough is on the way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to think of myself as a Facilitator of Faith. I am known for being the author of The Push Project, #plmprayertime and #talkthroughthetext. The Push Project is a book of affirmations that was published in 2020. #plmprayertime happens on Monday nights via our conference line and individuals from all over the US come together to pray. #talkthroughthetext is our laid-back version of bible study. We come together to learn more about the bible and ask any questions that may come up.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I spent lots of time with my grandmother Queen Esther Thompson. She kept me in church and encouraged me to have a strong prayer life. She always told me that manners and respect will open doors for me that money never will. Once I started school, I really enjoyed reading. I would get lost in books and spend my time journaling about what I read and my personal thoughts. Once I reached middle school, I took an interest in Student Government and pursued it until I reached college. While attending the University of South Carolina, I was the Vice President of the Student Government Association.
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Image Credits
Johannas J Photography
