ABOUT US
Our Team
MATTHEW LEWIS
Matthew is a South African theologian, author, and podcaster dedicated to helping individuals deepen their relationship with Jesus. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology and a master’s in Missional Leadership from Trinity Bible College. Matthew is the host of “The Follower Podcast,” where he engages in conversations about contemporary Christian discipleship. His recent book, “Human,” explores how our deepest longings can lead us home to Jesus. Beyond his professional pursuits, Matthew enjoys adventure, nature, and storytelling.
XAVIER MORAN
Xavier is deeply committed to helping teenagers and youth leaders grow in their friendship with Jesus. With over twenty-five years of experience, he has served as a teacher, youth pastor, school chaplain, and leader of a national youth ministry organization. As part of Follower, he focuses on developing resources to support The Church’s ministry with young people. Xavier is married to Lara, a proud father of two young adult children, a coffee enthusiast, and a devoted Manchester United fan.
Our vision
To see The Church following Jesus to the depths of His heart and the ends of the earth.
Our mission
Serving The Church to know and walk with Jesus.
What we believe
Follower is an ecumenical organisation that seeks to serve The Church in all its diversity. Richard Foster’s book, Streams of Living Water has been instructive to us in this.
Because of our ecumenical nature, we choose to serve in the tension of a broad theological framework without compromising core Christian convictions.
In terms of what those core convictions are, we find The Nicene Creed to be a sufficient guardrail in aligning us with orthodoxy.
We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.
Our values
Values matter. They are the essential, often invisible anchor points that animate and direct the lives of people and organisations from within.
Follower is animated by four values found in our vision to see The Church following Jesus to the depths of his heart and the ends of the earth.
Jesus centred
Following is not optional, we’re all going to follow something or someone. In a world of endless options, it’s important to remember that not all gods are created equal. Who/what we choose to follow will ultimately shape our lives. We choose Jesus.
Intimacy called
In our following of Jesus, friendship with God can quickly be replaced by activity for God or worse, ambition in God’s name devoid of His presence. We have no interest in building ministerial Babels or mistaking busyness for worship. Our deep desire is Jesus. Not as a means to some other end, but as an end in Himself.
Discipleship orientated
We are not content to simply believe in Jesus. We want to become like Him. We want to model our lives after His, learning to live in the grace-filled, spirit-empowered rhythms of His Kingdom. Discipleship of this kind is costly, Jesus makes that clear. But the cost of non-discipleship is far greater and the treasure of His kingdom is worth everything we have.
Missionally present
The more time we spend in God’s presence the more we’re caught up in His purpose and His purpose is always to heal the hurting. This is why any authentic following of Jesus ultimately leads to the service of others whether that is across the table, across the street or to the very ends of the earth.
Our Board
Follower is a ministry of Conduit Ministries NPC as such the oversight of Follower is stewarded by the Conduit board.