Reflections on the Commissioning Conference

The 2026 Vineyard South Africa National Conference was more than a leadership transition; it was a significant moment of commissioning for our movement. As we honoured the faithfulness and legacy of those who have gone before us and welcomed a new season of leadership, there was a tangible sense of the Holy Spirit renewing, strengthening and calling us forward. The following reflections from some of those who gathered with us capture something of what God was doing among us—a deep sense of family, the power of Christ’s presence, healing, prophetic encouragement, and a growing expectancy for what lies ahead. We share them with gratitude, believing that the best is yet to come as we continue to give ourselves afresh to Jesus, His Kingdom and His mission in South Africa – Andrew Christie

Two things come to mind when I reflect on Conference 2026:

First, personally: I was healed! I had been in a state a therapist called PTSD since August 17th, when my brother died, and the conference was a Healing Oasis, where Healing of my soul happened quietly but emphatically. I didn't receive personal prayer ministry, but was healed through the Worship and praying for others. I was in a Healing environment. 

Secondly, the handover service was a worthy climax to the conference. It was sad that the Mumfords couldn't be there to do the honours, but I think the Lord did a Romans 8:28 on us, because He told me that it was appropriate for the National team to do the installation of our new ND. It was a deep honour and privilege for me to conduct it; the team with Bubba, Damas and Glenda did a great job of laying on hands, and Christ's Presence was very real. Andrew's Word was powerful and prophetic. We are an Army on the March, a marathon runner that is not even half done, and an oil-saturated Menorah wick. The future is bright! - Agape, Costa 

Vukani!!!! Wake up!!! This Zulu word sums up the prophetic call sounded at the Handover Conference in Centurion! The Vineyard Movement in SA is poised at the point of taking possession of the land of God's intended fruitful purpose, giants and all.

The alternative of mediocrity and sameness would be a recipe for irrelevance. The call is for Visionary Leadership. May the Joshuas and Calebs arise! 

Well done to Centurion Vineyard for great hosting! Well done to the Broad Leadership Team for positive engagement. Well done to all participants for refreshing fellowship. Well done to the speakers who engaged so authentically!

It was a real joy to welcome Andrew to the leadership saddle. We love and celebrate you, Andrew and Mandy! - Dave Pedersen

My wife and I belong to the Vineyard family of churches. I flew home yesterday after attending a very significant national conference in Centurion, South Africa (SA). The theme was A Commissioned People, marking the handover of the National Director role. We sincerely thank Dave & Colleen Pedersen for their years of selfless service. And we welcome and bless Andrew & Mandy Christie in their new role to lead VCSA (Vineyard Churches South Africa). 

This is significant because for the first time the current generation – not “the next generation” – is given effective leadership of the movement. Andrew is almost 20 years younger than Dave, who, with Costa Mitchell, Derek Morphew, Sam Kisten, John Fischer, me and others, have pioneered the Vineyard in SA and in Africa. 

We were the planters and pastors whom John & Carol Wimber laid hands on. In fact, I had the honour of working with John in Yorba Linda Vineyard for 8 months and then helped plant the first Vineyard in SA in October 1982. This leadership succession, from the pioneering generation to the current generation, has been happening in all the Vineyards around the world, in local churches and nationally. 

There was much significance to this conference, with the formal handover of national leadership from the pioneering generation to the current generation of leaders. The theme of the conference was “A Commissioned People”.

There is a strong blowing of the Wind of the Spirit into the sails of the Vineyard. The essence was captured in the Zulu word (Vukani) that the young mother used: “Awake, Vineyard! Arise, Vineyard! Stand up, your time has come!” (The italicised words are what vukani means). I was overcome with tears and cried out to God as she cried out, “Vukani! Vukani! Vukani!” We had a powerful and extensive time of responding to God, giving the Vineyard back to Jesus, with profound Spirit-ministry to one another.  

There was an amazing God-moment that, for me, defined the conference and the way forward for the Vineyard. That is, besides the wonderful ordination of Andrew Christie & Mandy Christie as national directors, with Andrew’s inspiring message that followed- Alexander Venter

The Vineyard South Africa 2026 national conference was one of the most amazing Vineyard events I have experienced anywhere in the world. The worship was beautiful and powerful, the people were so hospitable, and it was clear that God is moving in new and fresh ways within the Vineyard in South Africa. It makes me so proud and honoured to be a part of this global movement of Vineyard churches. – Joshua Armstrong

It was such a joy and privilege to be a part of the recent VSA conference and to witness the 'passing of the baton' from Dave and Colleen Pedersen to Andrew and Mandy Christie. I had the added joy of sharing with the good folks of Centurion Vineyard on Sunday morning. This was a full circle experience for me, having first come to Joburg and Nairobi 22 years ago and now with this trip, a reversal, first to Nairobi then Joburg. So many friendships were renewed at this gathering. Everything was a delicious buffet. The worship, the food, the hospitality, the teaching, plus lots of time for smaller partnership meetings concerning Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. I loved the good representation of age groups present and a definite hunger for God, evidenced by the response to every ministry time. On behalf of Karen and I and your Vineyard family in Canada we pray great blessings on Andrew and Mandy, the VSA Leadership Team and all the local churches. The best is yet to come!  - Larry Levy

A few days after I got home, a woman from my church sent me a text: "Lindsay, you really seem more Holy Spirit energized since your return from Africa." I smiled when I read it, because she's right. It was my first time on the African continent and I loved every second of it. The first image that comes to mind is a large room filled with flags and faces. People greeting one another with hugs and laughter, Tony greeting by the door calling everyone by name, Matt Nixon-James hugging his way around the room, Lindiwe’s smile that lights up everything around her. I'll be honest: I expected to feel invisible. Instead, I felt deeply loved. I believe with my whole heart that Jesus loves us, that he's on our side, and that he will never stop chasing us. In that room, you could feel that truth, thick and deeply rooted.

The sessions were so good- especially the worship and dancing on Thursday night! What struck me most was how many young people were in the room, and how joyfully everyone made space for them to lead. (I'm still thinking about the rap!) I loved the songs and the flavors, the meals that felt like family dinners, the humor and curiosity, and the willingness to listen to voices from so many ages, cultures, countries, and experiences. This is a community that is serious about Jesus without taking itself too seriously, and it’s just so much fun. It’s a movement filled with leaders who are wildly generous with their time and wisdom, and I came away feeling spoiled and poured into.

More than anything, I sensed the Holy Spirit re-energizing his church in South Africa. The conference marked a transition as Andrew and Mandy Christie were commissioned to lead the movement, following in the footsteps of kind, godly, prophetic leaders like Dave Pederson and Costa Mitchell. But it felt like a fresh commission for everyone in the room: a reminder that Jesus loves his church, loves South Africa and its people, and will go find them wherever they are. And he will use us!! I’m so excited for what is ahead- Andrew is absolutely the right person for this moment. He and Mandy are deeply pastoral, and I believe they'll care well for leaders, raise up many healthy ones, and shape a movement that is as pastoral as it is prophetic.

So yes, I came home energised. Not because of a great event, though it was one, but because I got to see the Spirit breathing new life into a family that welcomed me as one of their own. I'm grateful for new friendships, and I certainly hope my story with Vineyard South Africa is just beginning.

Love you guys so so much, and I’m cheering for you so hard from my neck of the woods!!! Love, - Lindsay Mizell

What a beautiful time and such an honour to be present and participate in a panel session at the Vineyard South Africa National Conference as my dear friend Andrew Christie was commissioned as the new National Director of the Vineyard movement in South Africa.

Congratulations, my friend! Andrew, you are such a dear friend, gifted leader, and faithful pastor. I’m so excited to see all that God does in you and through you as you lead the Vineyard in South Africa. The anointing and calling of the Lord are truly upon you, my friend!

There was such a sense of God’s presence throughout the conference. Every speaker brought a timely word, and the Holy Spirit moved in a powerful and refreshing way throughout each session.

One session that especially stood out to me was Bubba Justice’s message, “God Wants His Church Back.” Bubba brought such a powerful pastoral and prophetic word that I believe was not only for this conference, but carried something significant for the wider Vineyard movement and for pastors, leaders, and followers of Jesus everywhere. It was both deeply challenging and incredibly encouraging.

Andrew also shared the vision the Lord has given him for the Vineyard churches across South Africa. It was inspiring, full of faith, and carried both vision and the Lord's heart. There was a beautiful sense of honouring all that God has already done through the Vineyard in South Africa, while also looking forward with faith and expectancy to what He is doing next.

It felt like more than simply a leadership transition. It felt like a fresh commissioning into a new season.

It truly felt like a marking moment for Vineyard South Africa! 

I deeply love what God has been doing in the Vineyard in South Africa, and I’m filled with expectation for what He is still going to do, not only here, but throughout the Vineyard movement around the world. I’m so grateful to be part of the Vineyard.

One of the things I love most about the Vineyard is that, at its best, it really does feel like family gathered around the presence of God and the mission of Jesus.

It was also such a blessing to reconnect with so many dear friends, pastors, and leaders whom I love and respect, while also making new friends along the way. There is something incredibly special about coming together as family, worshipping Jesus, encouraging one another, and seeking what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Come, Holy Spirit. Have Your way.

Pour out everything You desire to accomplish through Andrew, through the pastors and churches of Vineyard South Africa, and throughout this beautiful nation. Continue to breathe fresh life, courage, power, and Kingdom vision into the Vineyard in South Africa and around the world.

God is on the move. His Kingdom is at hand. - Brian Blount