Welcome to Vine,​​

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I'm writing to you from my home in the Swartland wine region of South Africa, probably looking out at my garden and the vines beyond, and definitely sipping on a cup of coffee. Here's a little overview of my life so far, where I got to know God as the Good Gardenere or Vinedresser, His pruning, His leading, and - always - His presence:

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Growing up, I also lived on a wine farm, but I never guessed I'd end up here. When I started dating my husband, Armand, he wasn't anywhere near a winemaking career (and I was studying to be a speech therapist).​ But as time passed, it seemed that I couldn't quite escape the imagery of vines and wines. 

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God redeemed my history, gave meaning to my life & is writing my future all at the same time. 

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I grew up in the faith, volunteered in kids ministry from a young age, and always understood the reality of God. Then, when I was eighteen, I was surprised to find my faith was rather flimsy as I plummetted into bad decisions and depression.

 

Yet in that mess, I had a radical encounter with God where I felt Him invite me deeper. He said: "But you haven't tried Me".

 

After that, I dropped out of University and enrolled in a Christian gap year program instead. It was not long before I knew what I wanted to do with my life:
I was going to help kids in one way or another. 

 

I wanted to study Sociology but the applications were closed so I was kind of forced to join a Seminary. Stubbornly, I said I'd move over to a different faculty at the first possibility - but then something strange happened:

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God met me in Theology. I was sure He wanted me to stay, so I did.

 

I completed my degree, postgraduate diploma, and Master's in Youth Work, a subdivision of the academic field called Practical Theology. 

 

Practical Theology is not only concerned with reading the Bible and preaching it, but - essentially- with living it out in real life. 

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Youth Work describes any person under the age of 35 - So, a leading question is: "How are younger generations experiencing God?"

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As someone who grew up in the church, fell through the cracks, and somehow found my way back again this question really fascinated me. How could I help younger kids to not have to go through the same things I did? How do we help them form a real faith - and with that I mean a faith that can withstand opposition, temptation, and even doubts?

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While I studied I continued volunteering with youth organizations, leading summer camps, and helping out in both a youth and a kids ministry. 

 

Armand and I finally got married (after six years of dating) in 2020 and I also started working in full-time ministry at that time. I worked as Kids Ministry Coordinator for a church plant out of the US for four years, until we moved out of the city and onto a winefarm. 

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We craved a slower life and more quiet.

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My thesis topic was on the strange phenomenon of the missing generation, where young adults are missing from the pews both locally and globally. I also focused on the kinds of churches they are choosing instead.

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I've always been deeply embedded in my writing - even my academic writing echoes my story, beautiful imagery, and a part of who I am. 

 

Now, I work from home as a Christian writer, editor, and illustrator with believers worldwide. This was probably the dream job of my younger self and I feel incredibly thankful for how God has developed me into someone who can do this. 

 

I get to partner with people and help them clarify their messages - in books, curricula, and more. I also write for multiple Bible ministries who send out daily newsletters (one for teens, one for adults). And then - just for fun - I do an illustration project here and there. I'm currently drawing Bible coloring pages that will form part of a new kids Bible storybook.
 

'Abiding' (John 15) and Vine Creative Studio is more than an idea to me. It's something I feel in the core of my being. 

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I am a branch bearing fruit for the glory of God. I just stay near Him and let Him grow in me. It makes so much sense to me! My most recent favorite quote about this is: "The branch that bears the most fruit bows the lowest". ​ That's a hard idea to write about on here. What does it mean to abide? to bow low? to stay in Him? 

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Often writing such personal details on a public website feels like pouring out good wine on the ground... 

​My whole life is but an offering. I am poured out for His glory as every new day breaks.

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I recently (Sept '26) decluttered this website to only be home to kids ministry content. Before, it was a little bit of everything. 

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My vision for this site is that parents, churches, and leaders of kids ministries can come here to find something different - not just another Sunday School lesson, but a Spirit-led resource to guide children into real encounters with Jesus. It's not just entertainment. It's real discipleship. 

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Kids don't only need to know the stories in the Bible. They need to know God - not hear about Him but meet Him, enjoy Him, taste and see how good He is.

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& a most recent life update at the time of writing this (Oct '26):

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Now I'm about to become a mom through adoption & our little boy can come home any day now.

The vineyard Armand planted in our garden is flourishing & the rest... is yet to come.

 

May you find space here to

pause, reflect, and abide.

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       xx

        Eljoh Hartzer

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  P.S. 

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