Heritage Baptist Church

Elder Prayer Update

Elder Prayer Update

As we continue to lift up the needs of our church community, we want to take a moment to focus our prayers on our elders. These faithful leaders carry the weight of shepherding, teaching, and caring for the spiritual well-being of others, often while navigating personal challenges of their own. Praying for our elders is vital—not only for their strength, wisdom, and protection, but also to encourage and support them as they lead with humility and faith. Let’s come together to intercede on their behalf, trusting God to refresh and sustain them in every season.

Learn more about our Elders and their positions here.

 

Nathan Smith | Senior Pastor

Personal: Caden’s senior year and praying about direction for college next year. Caden 17, Lydia 15, Jason 13. Prayer for the right priorities for a busy season of life and a house of teenagers on the go!

 

Ministry: Clarity, power, fidelity in the preaching of God’s Word every Sunday. I cannot overemphasize how much prayer is needed simply for the weekly preaching of God’s Word so that Jesus is glorified and the people of God are edified. The wisdom to prioritize the right things, people who need to be ministered to, and next steps in caring for and building God’s church.

Kevin Haglund | Pastor of Worship Ministries

Please pray Galatians 6:6-10 over Suzanne and I and our family.
Pray for the Worship Ministry as we take the deep community that has been established and begin to leverage it to expand God’s Kingdom locally.

Dave Ashburn | Pastor of Community Life

Personal: Please pray that Megan and I would love each other well, disciple our children lovingly and intentionally, and find meaningful ways to care for our parents who have increasing health needs.
Ministry: Pray that each adult at Heritage would embrace the invitation to abide deeply in Christ and that, as a result, we would see the fruit that God longs to produce in and through our church.

Nathan Fox | Pastor of Student Ministries

Meditating today on Psalm 150, to boast in the Lord in praise and adoration at all times and in all places. Prayers would be that in this season of much for our family (trips, camps, counseling) we would make it a regular rhythm of our time as a family to pause, reflect on the Lord’s goodness, and declare with thanksgiving His work in our lives. And that such thanksgiving would fuel further delight and obedience!

We are on the cusp of three mission weeks, as well as a week of Summer Camp. Prayers for transformation for our teens and leaders, as they understand further and further what Gospel living looks like in this context and beyond, and what the Lord has for them in the work of making His name known! 

Joshua Hankins | Pastor of Kids Ministry

Personal: Please pray that Kelsey and I can grow in wisdom in parenting well and for our house to be filled with the joy of Jesus.
Ministry: Please pray that our kids ministry volunteers would continue to serve our kids with a posture of invitation into the body of Christ.

Pastor Rob | Pastor of Global Ministries

Personal: Stamina found in Christ, not ourselves. The daily flood of opportunities and needs feels overwhelming, but we are reminded “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.” Psalm 29:10
Ministry: In the first few weeks of Go Group, the team has met and had eternal conversations with people from the USA, India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Romania, Senegal, Pakistan, Poland, Bangladesh, Spain, Afghanistan, and Vietnam! We are asking for God to bring fruit from the many seeds being sown. Also, at any given time several of our Global Workers are wading through cross-cultural and spiritual challenges that threaten to thwart health, family, and ministry. Pray that we will give wise counsel, support, and help as the Lord provides.

Jeff Scott | Pastor of Biblical Mentoring

Personal:
1. Grandchildren to come to truly know Jesus: Cole, Evelyn, Gabriella, Candler, and Cade
2. Care for our parents, all in their mid-to-upper 80s (Larry & Joan Scott and Wayne and Virginia Deverna)
3. Ruth Ann and I: We are approaching retirement age, and we deeply desire to finish strong in what the Lord desires.
Ministry:
1. I(Jeff) deeply desire to raise up more groups of men who will serve Jesus and His Kingdom well (discipleship).
2. Strength of mind in training the next movement of GOERS theologically
3. Faithfulness in mentoring and training of leaders, teachers, future elders, pastors
4. Serve my fellow staff elders where there is a need

Mike Crump | Pastor of Engagement

Romans 15: 4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Pray for me and my family to endure well in the midst of difficulty. Though the seasons of struggle may not last long, we desire to abide well in the truth of our glorious Savior, Jesus.

I ask for prayer for the body of Christ at Heritage that we may truly be united in our pursuit of Jesus and that we would seek to celebrate the work of God in our lives, homes, and church.

Keith Metzler | Lay Elder

Colossians 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.“ 

Personal: Balancing ministry opportunities and responsibilities with family needs. Health challenges for Keith.
Ministry: Wisdom and effectiveness in shepherding our global workers and local body. Several global workers are facing extremely difficult circumstances amidst spiritual warfare.

Matthew Hankins | Lay Elder

Personal: Amongst the busyness and demands of different ministries, and in this grand-parenting phase of life, pray that Rhonda and I are able to be intentional to devote time to one another and our marriage.  For successful back surgery in October.
Ministry: For ample time to spend in prayer. For humility, wisdom, and graciousness in every opportunity the Lord presents to shepherd HIS flock.

Ben Forrest | Lay Elder

Personal: Prioritization of that which will last. Hearts, within our family, that are soft to the things of the Lord. Please pray that the love of the Lord would so affect me that it flows into my children (15, 13, 11) and my wife with joy and selflessness.
Ministry: The ability to discern what is the right investment(s) of time. September has flown by and some good things were accomplished and other things surely missed. I pray that I (and we, my family) would see what is needed each day. I pray that we would trust the Lord with that which goes beyond our boundaries and borders. In October, we are setting aside some purposeful time to practice spiritual disciplines in community with some of the college students. This is something new and we are excited for it, but it will take more time than our usual events.

Matt Durand | Lay Elder

Personal: Our kids are 16 – 13 years old.  Prayer for them in this critical season that they would follow the Lord and walk in the light.
Ministry: Sensitivity of the eldership to the Lord‘s leading, specifically regarding financial stewardship and giving.