Heather has shared her family's story regarding years of battling mental health and addiction. In recent months those battles have surfaced in a way that requires extra effort and focus. Working together with the Board of Elders in this season, it was mutually agreed that her family needs to take top priority. In that, the love and vision for Freedom House resulted in her stepping away from her Lead Pastor role. We continue to love and support Heather and her entire family during this transition.

Neither. This decision was very difficult and only made after a collaborative journey together with Heather, the Elders and tremendous support from the Church Staff. And in all of it, God’s will for his church has been the focus.

Throughout October, we are making cards available for people to share their thanks, favorite stories, lasting memories and more. Feel free to fill out a card and drop it off any Sunday in October, or show up a few minutes early to service to fill out a provided card. We will deliver these cards to her after October 25th.

Elders will lead the creation of a Search Team to find the next Lead Pastor. In the time, between now and finding the next Lead Pastor, with all our support the Staff will continue facilitating Freedom House’s Mission: To show people who Jesus is.  
In addition to the great leadership provided by the Staff the past several months, we will be looking into additional support including things like guest speakers and Interim resource.

We continue to be a church that is Staff Led, Elder Supported. The Elders and Staff are working closely together to identify and address any gaps that the absence of a Lead Pastor creates in the effective operations of the church.

Yes. The Elders will lead the creation of a Search Team to find the next Lead Pastor.

We believe God already has our next Lead Pastor identified. We also believe our job is to honor Him in the search process until He is ready to travel that person to us. Ultimately, God is in control of the timeline and we submit to His timing. 

When it comes to a next location or building, Freedom House is in the same place we’ve been over the last ten months. We are keeping eyes and ears open for locations that are available within our current budget. If God opens a door, the church will step in. Until then, we have loved our time at Anderson University and are aware of the huge blessing it has been to partner with our local college. We have incredible gratitude and see our location as an opportunity more than a stand still towards our mission.

We believe that God has some big and exciting plans for Freedom House ahead of us. We plan to continue to pour into the next generation. We plan to continue to show up to serve around the corner and around the globe. We plan to continue to build a community that grows deep roots together. If you want to be part of all of it this season here’s three things you can do:

Pray. Pray for the church. Pray for the staff. Pray for the Lead Pastor search. Pray for the Elders. Pray for the city. 

Give. Be part of what God is doing through generosity, not forgoing the discipline of giving. Not giving currently? Click here and set up rhythms today. This is an investment in Kingdom impact not the temporary. 

Participate. Join a group. Serve. Show up. Worship. Invite someone to church. Reach out when you need support. Choose unity. Let’s do this together!