By Pastor Cyril Pillay, pastor in Durban, South Africa, and General Director of the All-Africa Assembly

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”—Hebrews 11:1

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” —Hebrews 11:6

As I meditated on Hebrews 11, the Holy Spirit drew my heart to verses 1 and 6—two verses that have carried me through many seasons in life and ministry. These verses are not simply theological truths; they have become personal convictions that sustain me in the calling God has placed on my life.

Verse 1 defines faith as both substance and evidence. This truth became real to me during my early years in ministry, when the resources were few, the challenges were many, and the future was unclear. I remember praying over an empty hall, believing for souls to be saved, lives to be restored, and asking for God’s presence to fill the room. Though my eyes saw nothing, my spirit held a firm conviction: God was working. Faith became my substance—more real than what I could see.

Throughout the decades of ministry, I’ve had to trust God’s promises in the face of trials. When families in the church were broken, when communities were in turmoil, when I walked through personal storms, it was Hebrews 11:1 that reminded me to hope in what is unseen. Faith anchored me when human strength failed. I held onto his Word, because even when I couldn’t trace his hand, I could trust his heart.

Hebrews 11:6 speaks to the very core of my relationship with God: “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” This verse realigned my focus many times. In a world where ministry can become performance-driven, this truth calls me back to what matters most—walking in faith and seeking God diligently. It reminds me that I am not called to impress people, but to please God. And to please him, I must live and lead by faith.

This passage has also shaped how I lead others. As a pastor, I encourage those around me to pursue a deeper, living faith—not just head knowledge, but a heart that believes God is real and present. Whether I’m counseling a hurting family, praying over the sick, or guiding young leaders, I always return to this truth: God rewards those who seek him. That reward may not always be material, but it is always eternal.

Faith has led me through valleys and up mountaintops. It has caused me to stand when everything around me told me to fall. Today, as I continue in ministry, I hold these verses close—not as mere memory verses, but as daily instructions. They remind me that ministry is not built on charisma, strategy, or effort alone but on faith in the unseen, trust in God’s promises, and a life wholly surrendered to him.