Transformation

Adapted from a conversation with Shaun Pretorius on the Follow Forward Podcast.

I once wrote a series of blogs called “Leadership Myth-Busting” (which you can find here). The Message South Africa CEO Shaun Pretorius has a leadership journey that, I believe, busts a whole lot of myths.

Perhaps the biggest myth he dismantles is the idea that emerging leaders need to fill the shoes of their predecessors and/or mentors. Shaun has had to walk his own path—in his own shoes—following the unique journey that Jesus has for him. This is largely because his story doesn’t begin with the confidence of a natural-born leader.

Rather, his origins are marked by rejection and insecurity.

Shaun’s early life in Cape Town was shaped by a deep sense of not belonging—primarily fuelled by a dysfunctional home environment and his father’s rejection.

“There was this element of rejection… from a very, very young age… I never felt okay with who I was.”

By the age of 13, he turned to drugs, trying to numb what he couldn’t fix. But nothing filled the gap.

“It could not fill what I was feeling on the inside.”

A Moment That Changed Everything

He spent over a decade walking the road of addiction. Then, everything shifted one Christmas Eve when a friend invited him to church. Although restless and resistant, he began to respond to God.

“Jesus gripped my heart, and I never looked back.”

Following Jesus came at a cost. He had to let go of destructive friendships and start afresh. Transformation didn’t mean the absence of struggle. At times, he felt his situation might be too broken for God to restore—and yet:

“God was faithful, and He gripped my heart. It brings to mind that Scripture: ‘He who has been forgiven much, loves much.’”

Over time, God gave him what he once feared losing: a loving family, a committed community and a godly purpose. As he grew in his faith, God began to lead him into unexpected spaces, developing his leadership gifts along the way.

Preparation Before Promotion

Shaun’s leadership journey didn’t follow a straight line. He joined The Message South Africa in 2015, transitioning from a difficult work environment. Although he quickly felt at home, he went through a season of job rotation—serving in a variety of roles before eventually becoming Head of Creative Mission.

Then came an unexpected moment: the invitation to become CEO of The Message South Africa. I remember that moment clearly, as our Trustees and I sensed the Lord leading us to approach Shaun to succeed me in this position. His response?

“I felt surprised… humbled… and honoured.”

But beneath that was a familiar struggle—the fear of not being enough.

“I don’t want to disappoint… what if I’m not enough?”

You Don’t Need Someone Else’s Shoes

This is where a shift in perspective was needed. While many people told Shaun he had “big shoes to fill,” I was able to say to him:

“You don’t need to fill my shoes—you’ve got your own shoes to fill.”

That changed everything. Following forward meant embracing who God created him to be—not comparing, not performing, but trusting.

Today, Shaun leads with a vision shaped by his story. As he walks his own leadership pathway, his passion is to help young people trapped in poverty and gangsterism discover their God-given purpose. As he eloquently communicates:

“The darker the world gets, the fewer the options become for young people… I believe that God is calling us to create more than just the option of becoming a gangster or nothing at all… My heart is that we will reach a lost generation with truth… that we would go into these communities, tirelessly serving, believing that God will lead people into the fullness of what He has for them.”

Keep Following Forward

Shaun’s journey is a powerful reminder: God doesn’t call us to imitation.

Other leaders and mentors have an important role to play. But we are not called to recreate their story, assume their identity, or walk in their shoes.

Can you relate to this myth? Have you ever tried to fill someone else’s shoes to the detriment of your own leadership journey?

What correction might you need to make to discover the leadership path that Jesus has for you?

As for me, I’ve never once regretted handing the reins of The Message South Africa to Shaun. It was one of the best decisions I’ve been part of—and I’m so glad he isn’t trying to fill my shoes.

Our forerunners have one primary purpose: to help us more fully and faithfully follow Christ’s example and imitate His life… while firmly walking in our own shoes.

*To find out more about the Follow Forward Podcast, click here.
To listen to Ali’s interview, choose your preferred platform: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.