About

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

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