Snowman Consulting— Mentoring & training the church for turnaround change, succession and transition.
"The Kingdom has come, is coming, and will come—but only ever through cruciform love."
What if the bigger miracle wasn’t the tongues of fire, but the resultant gathering of the scattered nations and ethnicities—into one, inclusive, single, Spirit-filled new humanity?
Bigger Things – is a bold and unflinching journey through the heart of the modern Church, inviting readers to rediscover the beauty and mess of authentic spiritual renewal. With a theologian’s depth and a pastor’s vulnerability, Melt van der Spuy explores the thresholds where Word and Spirit meet, where suffering and hope coexist, and where the church must reckon with empire, exclusion, and its own addiction to triumphalism.
Drawing on decades of ministry in post-apartheid South Africa and the Canadian Arctic, the book weaves personal story, cultural critique, and Vineyard theology into a compelling call: it’s time to rethink renewal. It’s time to embrace the Kingdom’s “already, and not yet” reality with wisdom, justice, and joy. It’s time for way bigger things.
“Bigger Things is a beautiful, theological road map and an inspiring account of Melt’s journey with Jesus through the nations. All the stories are told with Melt’s wit and wisdom; I enjoyed the read and benefited from his insight. I especially appreciated the connections Melt made between suffering and love. In my life, and in this book, that’s the heart of what it means to live the Jesus way.”
- Brian Doerksen Worship leader, Vineyard pastor and leader and Juno Award-winning singer and songwriter.
Melt van der Spuy is executive pastor at New Joy Vineyard, a mentor, seminary professor, and former NGO leader who lives between Canada and South Africa. After 15 years in logistics and distribution management, he entered vocational ministry in 2001. Since then, he has pastored four Vineyard churches across both countries and currently serves on the National Leadership Team of Vineyard Canada, with a particular focus on mediation, transition, succession, and leading for turnaround change.
He holds a Master’s degree in Systematic Theology from Stellenbosch University and a Doctorate in Ministry from Fuller Seminary, specializing in leadership and succession studies. Melt is also an affiliate professor of mentoring at Kairos University Sioux Falls, USA. Bigger Things is his first published book.
Melt and his wife Anida, a chef, have three biological daughters, two adopted children, and a grandson. Their family is spread across South Africa and the Netherlands, while Melt and Anida continue to live and minister between continents.
A former first-class rugby player in South Africa, Melt remains a supporter of the game. Since moving to British Columbia, he’s taken up golf again and tries to play every week. Beyond ministry, he’s passionate about good food, honest conversation, Jesus, the local church, and traveling.
"We become so animated at the things that are not really the thing. The things that only ever point to our King."
— Excerpt from Bigger Things
“Just when I’d shrunk my kingdom expectations down to something tame, manageable and small…”
Just when I’d shrunk my kingdom expectations down to something tame, manageable and small, Melt’s book dropped into my hands and provoked me to consider Bigger Things. Not flaky, trendy or provincial things – but things that matter, things that are durable, things that deserve my re-kindled attention. I wasn’t expecting this: solid theology wrapped in a riveting story and prayed over me by a guy with a huge heart. Thank you Melt.
Brady Wilson, thought leader, author, keynote speaker and co-founder of Juice Inc.
“From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”
To read Bigger Things is to be drawn into the reflective, authentic and conversational flow of Melt’s long obedience in the same direction. Weaving between narrative memoir, political commentary, deep theology, and a hint of sass, Melt reaches into his depth of lived experience, and pastorally calls the Vineyard back to an integrated, holistic radical middle. Bigger Things is refreshing in its cadence, inviting us to steep in the deep truths of Scripture and orthodoxy, while also being curiously and expectantly awake to the work of the Spirit. A worthy read!
Krista Heide, Artist, Spiritul Director, Doctoral student, Pastoral Ministry Leader Vineyard Canada
“Melt offers timely course correction and, for some, an excellent primer in the priorities of the Kingdom of God…”
It is timely, because the church is beset by worldly values that skew theological thinking. The idea of “dominionism,” where “power over” has eclipsed Jesus’ Kingdom teaching of “powerless power” and loving others, is one example of how Melt refreshes our Kingdom memory. Bigger Things directs the reader to the sometimes unseen and ignored arc of God’s purpose. Melt points to responsible hermeneutics as key to debunking pop theology and trends in the church. Trends which few are willing to challenge for fear of not toeing the party line. Bigger Things is not about big events, or “bigger being better.” It is about is about the almost forgotten teaching of Jesus who sacrificed himself for others and teaches us to do the same. It is about how we are to grow in the character of Jesus, resisting the world’s ways. It is about how to use the gifts or tools the Holy Spirit has given us responsibly. It is about how the Father plays out His “long game” of redemption through us when we listen and submit to the bigger things God is doing.
Rik Berry, Ph.D., Vineyard pastor and Regional Team Leader. Vineyard National Leadership Team Canada
“Absolutely crammed with robust theology, practical orthopraxy…”
Bigger Things by Vineyard pastor and leader Melt van der Spuy is a terrific and rollicking read. Absolutely crammed with robust theology, practical orthopraxy and personal anecdotes, it is a helpful guide for Christian leaders and pastors trying to navigate the way forward with hurricane force winds coming from all directions.
Larry Levy, Halifax Metro Vineyard Church and USA/Canada Vineyard Partnership Coordinator for East Africa
“Simple yet profound.”
Simple because the author’s theology is embedded in the author’s story. Profound in that that same theology is thought-provoking, challenging, and rich. Written predominantly to and for the Vineyard movement, Bigger Things deserves a wider audience. Especially for those in any form of leadership. I look forward to reading it again.
Michael Arnold, Anglican priest, school chaplain, and author of The Forgotten Feast
“Bigger Things doesn’t shy away from the messiness of renewal, nor does it settle for nostalgic retellings…”
Like a seasoned archer drawing the string back—tension building, breath steady, eyes locked on the mark—Melt van der Spuy takes aim at the tangled tensions within the charismatic movement. With humility, theological depth, and unflinching clarity, he releases a word that flies true. Bigger Things doesn’t shy away from the messiness of renewal, nor does it settle for nostalgic retellings. Instead, Melt invites us into a courageous reframing—holding critique and hope in dynamic tension, tethered to the ancient path and animated by the Spirit’s living work. This book lands its arrow true—calling the Church back to her missional core, away from shallow triumphalism and toward a Spirit-empowered, Christ-centered renewal. With the wisdom of an elder and the heart of a shepherd, Melt helps us reimagine what renewal might look like—not just in our gatherings, but in our justice, our suffering, our everyday mission. If you’re hungry for a faith that is deep, wide-hearted, and Spirit-led—Bigger Things is a gift-laden quiver. Read it slowly, reflect deeply, and let it recalibrate your aim.
Todd Rutkowski, author, storyteller, culture shaper, Vineyard pastor and leader.
BA Christian Ministry Cum Laude, Postgraduate Dip Th Cum Laude, MTh, DMin
