We recently had the chance to connect with Pastor Nick Heyward and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nick, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: When have you felt most loved—and did you believe you deserved it?
I felt most loved on my last visit with my grandmother. I was living in Texas and I had to cancel two trips to see her due to my work schedule. When I finally made it to see her we had a good time. On my last day, I remember entering the house through the backdoor and giving my typical greeting “Grandma, it’s me”. I heard her sit up in bed and grab her walker, she came racing to the kitchen table, her favorite spot. We sat and talked and I told her I would put her to bed. We stopped by the bathroom door and I told her I wanted a pic. We took a selfie and little did I know that would be our last photograph. Her smile was worth it and in that moment I truly felt loved and I deserved it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Nick Heyward, Visionary of Cornerstone Fellowship. We are located in Yemassee, SC and surrounded by three very established churches of the community. I am a native of Early Branch, SC and after traveling with Hospitality Management for 23 years I am back home leading a church. Coming from a small community, Early Branch has a population of 1,600 and Hampton County has a population of 19,000, everyone knows your story. The good things…as well as the bad. I never wanted to return home, but God sent me back to prove the power of your testimony—that with Him, you will win even with the worst hand. Your deliverance is proof that God can and will save us from any and everything!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I want to spin that and tell you who I became after the world told me who I had to be. The world told me I should be ashamed of my failed relationships and the numerous times I shared my life only to fall short of my dreams. The world said I was a failure and should commit suicide because I never get it right.
I gave my life to Christ, and began to accept that my life was tailor-made by Christ, even with my failures, to bare witness to His transformative power. I acknowledged my failure and felt the sting of embarrassment, but I embraced the truth that my Savior granted me the chance to live through the humiliation of my story—and to discover strength and purpose in the power of my testimony, which declares: scars prove you fought the fight and won
! I was told I was a failure, but I learned I am a conqueror saved by Grace.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would ensure my younger self that the pain has a purpose. I would tell the younger me that my struggles will one day give power to others that are hurting. I would remind the younger me that there are more people that need to see my succeess than that want to see me fail. Don’t lose hope!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I have a houseman by the name of Jack James. He is in his 70’s and he can work me under the table. I have never seen him lose his cool, and he is always honest and fair. He has corrected me in private with words laced with love. But the same standard he holds me to in private I have seen him live publically even when he thinks no one is watching.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone I hope people tell the story of how I did my best to be of service to my family, my church, and my community. I had a family that was deeper than blood connects. I was part of a church family that welcomed everyone, prayed together and rejoiced together. I was a pillar of the community that always had a listening ear and a caring heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.plmcornerstone.com
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