Real Presence. Real Family. Real Transformation
Our Vision
To be family where real presence leads to real transformation, raising bold disciples who display His glory. No one stands alone — healing, freedom, restoration are norm not exception.
1
We Welcome
Seen, Safe & Accepted
We value the presence of God which makes us an authentic, family-like environment where people feel safe, seen, and unconditionally loved. Where Holy Spirit and biblical truth lead us to encounter Christ.
2
We Walk
Freedom & Power of Christ
A culture of intentional belonging and covenant community, where every individual is empowered to move from inclusion to transformation through purposeful service and lifelong discipleship.
3
We Witness
Intentional Discipleship
Our transformation results in whole, Spirit-led disciples who live as witnesses in freedom, demonstrating maturity by dying to self and boldly investing gifts to advance the Kingdom.
We are a Spirit-led family anchored in the presence of God where every person is seen and loved into a life-transforming covenant with Christ, maturing into bold disciples who die to self, walk in freedom, and leverage their gifts for the Kingdom.
Isaiah 61: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me..."
To HealReaching the broken hearted with God's love
To FreeBreaking chains & opening doors of hope
To RestoreRebuilding what was ruined & renewing legacy
To DisplayLiving as oaks of righteousness that reveal His beauty
How We Live
Our DNA
1
Intentional Belonging — you belong before you believe
2
Covenant Community — doing life together
3
Real Presence — presence over performance
4
Whole-Hearted Discipleship — die to self, walk in freedom
5
Family Serves Together — CHAIR for you
What We Believe
Our Beliefs
We are anchored in biblical truth and Spirit-empowered life.
Trinity
Word — Final Authority
Salvation by Grace
Spirit Empowered Gifts Today
Church is Family not Org
Kingdom Invading Earth with Victory & Authority
20 years of real life
Our Story
Real Life Church was officially “born” in March 2008, although “conception” was long before then. The church is led by Stewart and Alison Steven. St2 (Yes! this is how he spells his name!) is a Zimbabwean who grew up in South Africa and moved to the United Kingdom in 1995 to be part of starting a church in London.
He met Alison (Ali) there (although they had lived in the same street in Durban) and they were married in 1997. Stewart was ordained into full-time ministry in 2001, and he and Ali have served on eldership teams, planted 2 churches and are part of an apostolic team called Catalyst Connect.
After planting a church in the UK and living there for a decade, they returned to South Africa in 2004 with their 3 children HannaH, Alex & Paige. In 2007 God started stirring them to plant a new church. Stew and Ali are passionate about being a “real” church that is relevant to all ages, life stages, cultures and life experiences, and thus the name “Real Life Church” was spot on!
The early days were all about small gatherings in living rooms—deep, authentic conversations over imperfect coffee, where real life was shared, burdens were carried, and genuine friendships were forged. We have members who have been with us for all the 20 years we’ve been going!
Those living room gatherings and the people who journeyed with us laid the DNA for what Real Life Church is today. The venue has changed (quite a few times!), the numbers have grown, but the heart remains the same: a commitment to radical hospitality, authenticity, real presence, and doing life together in pursuit of Jesus.
Led by family
Our Elders
St2 Steven
Visionary Leader
Alison Steven
Elder
Serving family together
Our Teams
Kings Kidz
Next Gen Team • Lead by Iro
Discipling kids to walk in freedom and presence.
Youth
Youth Team • Lead by Ali
Raising bold disciples who own their faith.
Worship
Worship Team • Lead by Amiel
Leading family into real presence.
Life Groups
Community Team
Doing life together midweek.
She Walks With God Ladies Ministry
Ladies Team • Lead by Ali
Sisterhood, discipleship & doing life together as women of faith.
Band Of Brothers Men's Ministry
Mens Team • Lead by Marius
Brotherhood, accountability & raising men who lead well.
SOZO
Freedom Ministry • Lead by Nonto
Inner healing and deliverance — Saved, Healed, Delivered. A safe space for breaking chains, healing the brokenhearted, and walking in wholeness and freedom in Christ.
Family, not organisation
Connections
We believe that people relate to people, not organisations to organisations.
The Kingdom of God is about family, and even church government works the same way. Over almost three decades in ministry, Stewart and the churches he's led have tried different models of 'accountability' and 'covering.'
What we've found works best is a relational model, not a positional one. It's the difference between being related to someone and simply reporting to them.
The people we're accountable to are the people who know our children's names. We do life together, the good seasons and the hard ones.
We are part of the apostolic leadership of a group of churches called Catalyst Connect. It is a dynamic family of churches that emerged in South Africa, partnering with other churches and ministries across the globe.
Mission — Being — Who We Are
To be a family of churches fulfilling the Great Commission of King Jesus together.
Our identity is rooted in the life, love, and lordship of Jesus, and our calling flows from His command to make disciples of all nations.
Vision — Becoming — Where We Are Going
To equip believers, develop leaders, grow new and existing churches as communities of God’s kingdom, through missional partnerships.
We envision equipping believers, developing leaders, and growing new and existing churches through strategic, Spirit-led, missional partnerships.
Stories of Transformation
“I have never felt so welcome, loved and at peace.”
Christa
“They didn't just send thoughts and prayers; they brought meals, prayed at my hospital bedside and cared for my kids. That's real family.”
Mandy
“Through serving and Connect Groups I found belonging and peace that changed how I handle everyday life and my family”
Iain