Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nick Heyward. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Nick, thanks for joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

Years ago, when I first began my career in hospitality management, I worked at the front desk like many people do when starting out in the industry. One particularly busy arrival day, I noticed an elderly woman standing in the lobby who appeared visibly distressed. When she finally made her way to my desk, I learned that the airline had lost her luggage—and more importantly, the medication she desperately needed was inside that missing bag.

She had spent hours trying to get answers but could not reach a live person who could tell her where her luggage was or when it would arrive. To be honest, I was overwhelmed myself. The lobby was busy, guests were checking in, and frustration was mounting from every direction. Yet in that moment, I realized that while her problem was not mine to solve, her need was real.

I stepped away from the desk and spent nearly forty-five minutes on the phone navigating automated systems and transfers until I finally reached the driver responsible for delivering the luggage. Not only was I able to locate the bag, but I was also able to provide her with a reliable arrival time. The relief on her face was immediate. What seemed like a small act to me meant everything to her. She later wrote a letter to my supervisor expressing her gratitude for the help she received that day.

That experience left a lasting impression on me. It taught me that whenever we have the ability to advocate for someone who cannot advocate for themselves, we should seize that opportunity. Sometimes the greatest impact we make is not through our job titles or responsibilities, but through our willingness to care.

I believe God gives each of us gifts, talents, and opportunities not only to bring Him glory, but also to demonstrate His love through our actions. Since that day, I have made it a personal mission never to overlook someone in need. I help others because I know how much a single act of kindness can mean during a difficult moment, and because it is my prayer that when those I love need someone to stand in the gap for them, there will be someone willing to do the same.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I am the founder and visionary of Cornerstone Fellowship, a non-denominational church serving the community of Yemassee, South Carolina. While many know me as a pastor, I often describe myself as an orchestrator of personal faith—a servant called to help people reconnect with Christ and discover the transformative power of a genuine relationship with Him.

For more than 23 years, I have worked in hotel management, a career that taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, service, compassion, and meeting people where they are. Looking back, I now realize that God was using those experiences to prepare me for ministry long before I fully understood His plan. Hospitality taught me how to serve people from every walk of life, every culture, and every perspective, and those lessons continue to shape my approach to ministry today.

My journey has not been without challenges. I have experienced failed relationships, unsuccessful business ventures, and seasons of disappointment that could have easily convinced me that I was unqualified for God’s calling. Instead, I discovered that those failures became part of my testimony. Through faith in Christ, I learned that God does not call the qualified—He qualifies those He calls.

I stand before others transparently as a work in progress and as evidence of God’s grace. I do not hide my flaws or my past because they serve as a blueprint of God’s redemptive power. My story reminds people that failure is not final, that broken things can be restored, and that God’s purpose is often revealed through our greatest struggles.

Today, nearly four years after its founding, Cornerstone Fellowship continues to thrive and grow as a pillar within our community. Our mission is simple: to welcome everyone, regardless of their background, struggles, or past mistakes, and guide them toward the life-changing encounter with Christ that we all once searched for. We strive to create a place where people experience love instead of judgment, grace instead of condemnation, and hope instead of despair.

At Cornerstone Fellowship, we believe that every person has value, every story matters, and every life can be transformed through the power of Jesus Christ.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

When I accepted God’s call to pastor, the last place I wanted to return to was the place where everyone knew my story. I was comfortable in Houston, Texas, where people knew the polished chapters but not the struggles, mistakes, and failures that shaped me. Yet God had a different plan. He sent me back to South Carolina—the very place where my past was known—because He intended to use my testimony as proof of His power.

What I once viewed as a disadvantage became one of my greatest strengths. God showed me that the people who knew where I had been would become witnesses to what He had done. My life became living evidence that God’s grace is greater than our failures and that His purpose cannot be canceled by our past.

Today, Cornerstone Fellowship stands in a community surrounded by three well-established ministries, each faithfully serving its purpose in the Kingdom. Rather than seeing competition, I see confirmation that God has positioned every ministry to reach different people in different ways. I firmly believe that God planted Cornerstone Fellowship to reach those who may not fit within traditional expectations—those who are searching for something authentic, seeking healing, asking difficult questions, and longing for a fresh encounter with God.

My focus has never been on recycling church members or drawing people away from other congregations. My heart is for the lost, the broken, the overlooked, and those who have felt disconnected from the church. We are committed to creating a place where people can find hope, experience restoration, and encounter God’s love without judgment or condemnation.

What once felt like a return to my past has become a testimony of God’s faithfulness. The place I never wanted to come back to became the place where God chose to reveal His glory. Every challenge, every setback, and every chapter of my story prepared me for this moment. Today, I stand confidently knowing that Cornerstone Fellowship is not built on my perfection, but on God’s purpose. And because of that, we continue to grow, thrive, and impact lives—one soul at a time.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

One of the greatest blessings God has given me throughout this ministry has been a small, diverse circle of trusted people who walk alongside me. Their presence has been instrumental not only in my personal growth but also in the success and health of the ministry.

These are people who allow me to be authentically myself while lovingly holding me accountable. They pray for me when my strength is running low, encourage me during difficult seasons, and celebrate with me during moments of victory. More importantly, they are not afraid to speak truth into my life when I need correction or a different perspective. Their honesty is rooted in love, and their counsel is grounded in a genuine desire to see me fulfill God’s purpose.

Trust is the foundation of these relationships. Conversations remain confidential, loyalty is unwavering, and their commitment to both me and the ministry has never been in question. They understand the unique challenges that come with leadership and provide a safe space where I can be vulnerable without fear of judgment.

Perhaps what I value most is their ability to strike a delicate balance. They give me the freedom and solitude I need to hear from God, seek His direction, and spend time in reflection. At the same time, they never allow me to drift so far into solitude that it becomes isolation. They recognize that even leaders need community, support, and accountability.

I am deeply grateful for these individuals. Their prayers, wisdom, encouragement, and steadfast friendship have been a constant reminder that ministry was never meant to be carried alone. They are a gift from God, and their impact on my life and the life of Cornerstone Fellowship cannot be measured.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.plmcornerstone.com
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/mistaheuward
• Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/nickheyward