Work & Worship
What do work & worship have to do with each other?
That depends on what culture you grew up in. For the Hebrew culture of Jesus’ day, the word for ‘work’ and the word for ‘worship’ was spelled identically…just pronounced differently. For the New Testament writers (all but one of whom had grown up in the same culture as Jesus), any reference to ‘work’ brought with it – automatically, if not sub-consciously – the connotation of something that was God-honouring, Kingdom-expanding, spiritually-empowering…inevitably something that is pleasing to God.
Added to that, when we notice the notion of ‘worth’ at the heart of the word ‘worship’ (initially known as ‘worth-ship’), it’s even easier to see the connection. If the work I do is something worth-while doing – or if it’s done for someone who is truly worthy – it’s not very far from becoming an act of worship.
So how did we, in our current secular culture, get to the point of engaging with or experiencing work as something that’s almost a curse? And how do we, as New Testament believers and business leaders, address that drift? Now that is a very meaningful conversation to engage in...
Patrick Kuwana (Click to read Bio)
Patrick led a successful corporate career in the IT industry. He started his career as a computer technician moving through the ranks to eventually hold senior executive positions including, District Sales Manager at Hewlett Packard, Strategic Sales Director at Oracle Corporation and Sales Director at Computer Science Corporation.
In 2005, he left the corporate environment and co-founded Umliba Investment Corporation – a South African based specialist information and media focused investment holding company. Through this company, he set up a joint venture company called PA Sport South Africa (a leading sports information provider) together with London based Press Association Group. In 2008, he further co-founded Livemobile – a mobile media and services company, which became the first African organisation to win a Global Mobile Marketing Award for innovation in sports-based mobile marketing.
His deep desire to see the socio-economic transformation of Africa saw him start Crossover Transformation Group, which he used as a platform to develop and partner with leaders and organisations that are committed to unlocking the vast economic potential of Africa by co-creating new sustainable systems of inclusive wealth creation and prosperity through their businesses. This work saw him build an economic framework called the ‘relational economics of mutual value co-creation’, through which staggering results have been achieved in businesses he has implemented this in. He has been deeply involved in leadership and entrepreneurship development in Africa and Asia through numerous business incubators and accelerators that he is part of.
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Elize-Marie Müller (Click to read Bio)
Elize-Marie has a beautiful gift for storytelling that makes the Bible feel breathtakingly alive. Although she grew up in a home with loving Christian parents, a defining moment in her early thirties sparked a deeper hunger to pursue God wholeheartedly. This journey led her to dive into Scripture with renewed vigor, inspired by the conviction that she needed to “study and prepare, for someday her chance will come.” During a women’s equipping event, God revealed to her that a key part of her teaching gift was the ability to tell stories in a way that people could understand and relate to. Today, she combines her passions, the logic of a lawyer, the heart of a teacher, and the delivery of an actor, to help people engage with God’s Word in a way that is clear, applicable, and reveals His character through every timeless story.
Rick Moser (Click to read Bio)
Rick Moser has been investing in the lives of students, businessmen, families, leaders, creatives and artists for over 40 years. As songwriter, musician and recording artist, Rick has released 3 albums as Worship Leader and has contributed as artist, actor, song- and scriptwriter to multiple projects since the early 1990s. His more recent focus has been on curriculum development for children’s ministry and younger leaders.
Nothing gives him greater joy than ‘seeing the lights come on’ when people get to grasp the truth that unlocks the solution to the situation they are struggling with. Most of those ‘aha’ moments arrive by merely asking the right questions, pursuing the truth (as uncomfortable and revealing as it may be) to its logical and natural conclusion.
Rick has been happily married to Belinda since 1983. They have 2 children (Jason & Cecilé) and 5 grandchildren: Aiden & Ava (Jason & Jana’s children) and Zoë, Daniël and Richardt (Marius & Cecilé’s children).
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Talitha de Klerk (Click to read Bio)
Since 2011, Talitha has been a registered ISTD Cecchetti Ballet Teacher. She founded the Rhythm of Hope Dance Outreach Ballet Program in 2013, building a space where movement and faith come together to change lives.
Her love for ballet began early. She learned ballet, modern/jazz, and Spanish dance from some of the best ballet teachers in South Africa. From 2000 to 2007, she danced with the YDCT Ballet Company. That foundation gave her a deep respect for the discipline and artistry that classical ballet demands.
Between 2009 and 2012, she travelled extensively with 13th Floor, formerly known as C-Kruis. In July 2014, she trained at Bethel School of Worship. She went on to earn her BTH from the South African Theological Seminary and coordinated the dance ministry team at Doxa Deo Brooklyn for five years.
She learned from these experiences that dance can be a powerful tool for ministry. It has significance that extends well beyond the studio. Today, Talitha carries a deep passion for helping people find their identity in Christ through movement.
That passion is the heartbeat of Rhythm of Hope. Her goal is to improve people’s lives and communities by providing exceptional dance instruction.
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Tyrone Brand (Click to read Bio)
Tyrone Brand, CFP®️, is Partner Development Manager at PortfolioMetrix, working with financial advisors to build robust investment solutions and scale impactful businesses. With a background in asset management and strategic growth, he brings a practical systems-thinking approach to wealth management and organisational strategy.
He holds a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) and an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Tyrone is deeply interested in systems thinking frameworks, exploring how structured principles can be applied to build resilient strategies in both financial markets and broader organisational contexts.
Tyrone is passionate about closing the gap between professional excellence and purposeful stewardship. His academic research explores faith-and-work integration, focusing on how entrepreneurs can align their business models, capital, and daily operations with higher principles to create lasting, redemptive impact.
Outside his corporate and advisory work, Tyrone resides in Cape Town with his wife, Jill, and their two sons. He is an active reader, a three-chord guitarist, and enjoys engaging in sports, often from the couch.
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Jaco de Wet (Click to read Bio)
Jaco de Wet is the founder of Writing with Rands, a financial education company that equips people with practical, God-honouring financial skills. Through financial courses, workshops, and organisational wellness programmes, Jaco teaches and equips individuals, couples, families, churches, and organisations to handle their finances with competence and integrity. He is also the author of The Second Best Guide to Financial Stewardship, a practical guide to biblical financial stewardship.
Jaco has taught across churches, schools, student residences, NGOs, and organisations, bringing his knowledge to people across South Africa — from radio interviews on teaching children about money to investing evenings for young adults and workplace financial-wellness programmes.
His qualifications include Chartered Accountant [CA(SA)] and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), and he is a registered financial planner with the FSCA. He also serves as Chief Financial Officer of Omnea, a South African fintech company.
Jaco is married with three children.