Highlands Family,
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with you! After nearly a year of prayerful and careful searching, we have hired Mark Heilman as our new Executive Pastor of Ministries. He will officially be joining our team on July 1.
Throughout this search process, our highest priority has been finding someone marked by Christlike character — someone who loves God deeply, genuinely cares for people, and lives out the gospel with humility and integrity. We were also looking for someone who shares our theological convictions, fits our church culture, and brings the leadership gifting to shepherd our church family with wisdom and grace. We believe the Lord has graciously provided that in Mark.
What Will Mark Do?
As Executive Pastor of Ministries, Mark will help provide pastoral leadership and oversight across all our ministries — from kids to adults — ensuring they’re healthy, aligned, and thriving. He will:
- Invest relationally in our staff and key leaders
- Coach and develop our ministry teams
- Oversee our church-wide discipleship strategy
- Help ensure our ministries are moving forward with clarity, care, and gospel-centered growth
What Were We Looking For?
As we’ve prayed and planned, we were looking for someone who:
- Loves God and people — someone marked by humility, joy, and relational wisdom
- Shares our theological convictions — happily affirms our Statement of Faith and embodies our Core Values
- Leads pastorally — someone who desires for every person to be known, cared for, and equipped to follow Jesus
- Cares about our neighbors— someone with an evangelistic heart and a desire to reach and welcome those outside the church
- Thinks strategically — someone who can align ministry efforts for the sake of mission
- Invests in leaders — someone who delights in helping others discover and develop their God-given gifts
A Little About Mark
Mark currently serves as the Outreach Manager for the City of Bellevue, where he’s led neighborhood walks, managed crisis response efforts, and worked to build welcoming environments for a diverse community. He’s also served in multiple pastoral ministry roles throughout his career, and most recently as a volunteer elder at his church in Redmond.
Personally, I’m excited for Mark to join our team because he brings an encouraging spirit, a humble and thoughtful leadership style, a deep care for people, as well as a wealth of wisdom and experience. I believe Mark’s strengths complement me well and help make us a stronger team.
Here’s a message from Mark:
“Diana and I look forward to becoming part of the fellowship at Highlands! This spring, we’ve spent wonderful time with ministry leaders, and we’re excited about the mission to help our families, coworkers, and neighbors to find and follow Jesus together.”
“In pastoral ministry and community outreach jobs, in dynamic and interesting places, God has taught me that everyone longs for genuine care and needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. Returning to fulltime ministry with Highlands has been a clear affirmation of God’s purpose for us.”
“We’ve felt called to share grace in the churches, jobs, and communities everywhere that God has placed our family. My primary gifting is in shepherding and strategic planning. I love helping people connect their stories to God’s bigger story and aligning ministries to serve people well. And now, I’m excited to serve with you as we offer sincere welcome and eternal hope.”
Please join us in praying for Mark and his wife Diana as they prepare to step into this new season with our church family. We invite you to join us on Sunday, July 6th, in the Fellowship Hall after each of our services for a special opportunity to meet Mark, welcome him, and hear his heart in person.
Pastor Nate