The month of May is special in the Heinen household, because we celebrate both Leah’s birthday (May 18th) and Mother’s Day. We love to celebrate Leah! This is what I shared on Facebook:
“Happy Birthday 🎂 to Leah Heinen, my wife who is as lovely now as when we first started to date what seems like just a few years ago. You are the most incredible mother and you are truly my best friend. I love you!”
Happy Birthday, and Happy Mother’s Day, sweetie!
I also wished my mother, Jane LeBreck, and my step-mother, Mary Heinen, a Happy Mother’s Day! They both were hospitalized during this COVID-19 season. They are now home after quite a scare, and are recovering. My dad, Robert, and step-father, Duane, also have been hospitalized in recent months. Please pray for my parents to experience the healing, sustaining grace of Jesus.
Maria is now done with a very successful school year at Arkansas Tech University and is busy doing childcare for the summer. Rebekah is enjoying her newly married life in New Jersey, even in the midst of the pandemic. Victoria lost her adjunct job at the high school because of COVID, but was just hired for the fall semester as the vocal music director for the nearby Atkins school district (K-12). She and Noah get married in a little over one week!
Please wish them congratulations and pray for them as they begin their lives as one.
I have faced some challenging days physically, but have also experienced God’s presence in a soul-strengthening way. I greatly enjoyed participating in a support group which was also part of the training required to lead trauma/healing groups. One person has said that due to various COVID-related problems, people suffering from trauma will be the largest mission field around the world in coming months. Only the peace and presence of Jesus Christ can bring healing to such wounded hearts. I look forward to reaching out to many with the mercy of our Lord.
Our church began to meet again in May, with masks and proper social distancing. I am doing some premarital counseling, thanks to the internet. I am making slow progress in my disability case, and am anticipating a hearing the end of July. I am excited about how my personal ministry is developing even with my health challenges and our ever-changing world. Here is part of what I shared from our last newsletter, for those of you who missed it:
After three decades of pastoral ministry, including planting churches, acting as chaplain, serving as a children’s/youth worker, leading as camp director, and shepherding existing congregations, I am now beginning a private ministry that will serve pastors and local church fellowships. Details can be found at bheinen.com. Many pastors, especially those serving in smaller congregations, often need people to come alongside and encourage them and assist them with duties that they don’t have time to fulfill. The foundation of this new ministry is prayerful dependence upon our mighty God, and I will take every opportunity I can to personally pray for my pastor friends. My family remains committed to praying specifically for our neighbors as we reach them with the love and truth of Jesus Christ.
To exalt Jesus, I will focus on three main areas:
- Communicator. I hope to give pastors a needed break by providing church pulpit supply. I also am available to speak at camps and conferences. I am a trained FaithSearch Discovery presenter, and encourage your church or group to host this wonderful evangelism/apologetics seminar. Check out what FaithSearch is all about at faithsearch.org.
- Counselor. Many pastors just don’t have as much time to invest in biblical counseling as they desire. I will make myself available to help busy pastors out in this area. I am now a SYMBIS premarital assessment facilitator, and would love to do premarital counseling for those whose pastors are too busy to do so. I am also a certified Fresh Hope group facilitator, and hope to lead support groups all around our community for those with a mental health diagnosis (and those who love them).
- Coach. The role of a life coach is to help people decide where they want to go in certain areas of their lives and help them get there. The Christian Life Coach helps people discover where Jesus Christ wants them to go, and helps them get there by the power of the Holy Spirit. I would love to help individuals and groups be all that Christ wants them to be. My special areas of interest are Spiritual Formation, and equipping people going through transitions in life. If your church is between pastors right now, I would love to “coach” your entire church family during this transition.
Jesus Christ is my life, my everything. I want everyone to know Him. To borrow words from the apostle Paul, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28 ESV). This is my desire. Would you help me?
I need your prayer! Only the Holy Spirit can change hearts and lives. I simply want to be His instrument. Contact me to be part of our prayer team.
I need your financial partnership. Would you prayerfully consider giving a generous gift to help me get started? How about a monthly gift? I hope to make all my services available for whatever people can afford. This means I will need supporters like you to supplement what clients can give. Right now, until we become a 501c3 organization, donations will just be considered gifts and are not tax deductible. You can give by sending a gift to our home address or by visiting bheinen.com. I realize that during this time of economic upheaval in our nation, this is the worst possible time to ask for funds. Yet, there are so many now who need spiritual encouragement.
I need you to use my services and refer them to others. How can I serve you? Your group? Your church family? Please let your friends know I am available. I can’t wait to share my incredible Savior with you and your friends.
Please contact me if you have any questions or if I can help in any way.
How can I pray for you? Please let me know.
Rev. Brian Heinen
802 E 23rd Street Russellville, AR 72802
(479) 886-0765 bheinen.com brheinen1@gmail.com
Behold, the Lamb of God! 