Grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma and Houston, Texas. I am a Lutheran (LC-MS) pastor, currently serving LifeBridge Community Church in Sealy, Texas. I am married to a wonderful woman and have two great boys (b.1999 and b.2001). Our youngest has Trisomy 21 (the most common form of Down syndrome).
PERSONAL
- Born April, 1969, in Ponca City, OK. In seventh grade, moved to Houston, TX.
- Married to Jennifer Heitshusen (née Stein) of Houston, since August, 1991.
- Two sons:
- Daniel (b. March, 1999). Studying to be a pastor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, along with my wonderful
- Daughter-in-Law, Rachel, also a student at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. She is studying to be a Deaconess.
- Benjamin (b. February, 2001). Ben has Down syndrome. He is a student in the 18+ Transitional Program at Sealy, ISD.
- Lutheran (LC-MS) pastor.
OBJECTIVES
- Further the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Take daily steps to be the most faithful servant and disciple of Jesus possible.
- Be in Scripture daily and in prayer continually.
- Be present, available, and loving to my family as Christ is to and for me.
- Work with the Body of Christ and others to end sex trafficking.
- Share the love, healing, and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus with those caught-up in sex trafficking.
- Advocate for victims of sex trafficking.
- Work to have laws enforced and changed to end sex trafficking.
- Work with the Body of Christ at LifeBridge Community Church to be the love, hands, and feet of Jesus in our community and the world.
- Help the family of LifeBridge and people in and around Sealy, Texas, put their faith and gifts into action.
- Do godly work that makes a difference in my family, community, and world.
- Work with other members of the Body of Christ in other congregations and organizations to focus and align the work to be done.
EDUCATION

Fall, 1991 — Spring, 1996
M.Div.

Fall, 1989 — Spring, 1991
B.S.

Fall, 1987 — Spring, 1989
CONGREGATIONS SERVED
LifeBridge Community Church

Pastor // September, 2018 — Present
St. Mark Lutheran Church & School

Associate Pastor // January, 2015 — September, 2018
Senior Pastor // July, 2006 — January, 2015
Trinity Lutheran Church

Pastor // November, 2001 — July, 2006
Trinity Lutheran Church & School

Interim Senior Pastor // December, 1999 — October, 2001
Associate Pastor // July, 1996 — November, 1999
St. John’s Lutheran Church & School

Assistant to the Pastors // Fall, 1995 — Spring, 1996
Vicar // Fall, 1994 — Spring, 1996
Hope Lutheran Church & School

Field Work Student // Fall, 1992 — Spring, 1994
CHURCH OFFICES, ACTIVITIES, ETC.
- Presenter at the 2020 Healing After Abortion Virtual Conference
October 30, 2020 - “Coach” orientation via the Texas District of the LCMS to help church planters
09/2012 – 08/2018 [approx.] - “Graduate” of the Pastoral Leadership Institute
06/2007 – 07/2011 - LCMS Pastoral Voting Delegate
2007 Convention - Involvement with “D.A.D.S.” {“Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome”}
Fall, 2006 – Present - Involvement with the Down Syndrome Association of Houston {DSAH}
Fall, 2006 – Present - Certified Child Educational Advocate through the “Parent Leadership Support Project;” Georgia Advocacy Office of the Georgia Governor’s Office
12/2005 - Board of Directors, Bethesda Lutheran Homes & Services, Inc.
11/2003 – 07/2007 - FL-GA District Stewardship Advisory Council
2003 - Certified Stephen Ministry Leader
Spring, 2000 - LCMS Pastoral Voting Delegate
1998 Convention - FG Great Commission Convocation Planning Committee
11/1998 – 08/1999 - LCMS Chaplain, University of Central Florida; Orlando, FL
02/1998 – 12/1998 - Florida-Georgia District Website Administrator
10/1997 – 08/1999 - Member of the Florida-Georgia District (FL-GA) Technology Task Force
08/1997 – 03/1998 - BOD, Orlando Luther Middle & High School; Orlando, FL
04/1997 – 08/1999