CLICK HERE FOR ELDERS FAQ

Darryn Scheske - Founding / Lead Pastor

Loree and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this year. We have 3 wonderful children, Nick, Jordyn and Lauryn, and our long-haired dachschund, Penny. We’re third generation missionaries. I grew up in the West Indies … places like Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Haiti. Loree grew up in Holland and Hong Kong. My grandparents spent 43 years in Africa. Loree’s grandparents spent nearly 50 years in India and the Philippines. In the summer of 2000, we moved to the northeast side of Indianapolis to start Heartland Church. Heartland began with 17 people including our mortgage broker, realtor and homeowners insurance broker and their families. I love to read, especially historical biographies. Other passions include scuba diving, motorcycles, , and cooking up a hot West Indian curry!

Gary L. Stump - Associate Pastor

As a native Hoosier I was in the business world for almost 20 years.  I became a pastor after my wife was killed when our car was hit by a drunk driver leaving me with four children to rear.  Through this experience God taught me the value of my faith and my family in a profound way.  In 1989 I remarried, Kathy, and together we raised our four children - all of whom are now married and faithfully serving the Lord through the ministries of their local churches.  In addition to the four children, we have one more son born in 1998, and ten grandchildren.  One of my greatest joys is having all the kids and grandkids over to our house for dinner.  The chaos and noise is awesome!  For recreation I root for the Colts, play golf and fish with my son in the pristine streams and rivers of upstate New York.

Warren Byrd - Elder
(Advisory Team 2001-2005, Elder 2007-2010)

I have been happily married to my high school sweetheart, Doreen, for 24 years, with two teenage daughters, Erika and Alicia. I am currently the Chief Operating Officer of the ADESA Corporation, an auto auction company. Formerly, I practiced law in downtown Indianapolis after graduating from Notre Dame Law School in 1989. My family and I helped start Heartland Church in the Scheske’s home in 2001. I gave my life to the Lord at a young age and grew up attending church, youth camps, Christian school and college. I helped serve in Campus Bible Fellowship while in law school, have served as a Family Care Deacon in a previous church and as an advisor here at Heartland the last several years. I have taught adult Sunday School class and helped my wife with the children’s classes. Doreen and I have lead our small group together. On a fun note, I do love to drive motorized vehicles - cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, planes - you name it.

Tom Heidenreich- Elder (2009-2012)

Our family has been coming to Heartland since it began meeting in our present location. My lovely wife Jennifer and I have been married since 1978. We have a son, Eric, who is 29 along with two married daughters named Jessie Sears (Eric) and Katie Wraley (Jeff). They are 27 and 23 years old, respectively. My wife works at the Wesleyan World Headquarters, but we jointly operate a Manufacturing Representative Agency business specializing in heat processing equipment and have Indiana as our territory. I have been involved in this industry for since 1980. My wife and I enjoy serving God by serving as Small Group Directors, One Life Follow Up, and mentoring newly engaged couples prior to exchanging their vows. In past churches I have been involved in Men’s Ministry and Children's Ministry Administration. My interests include Purdue sports, fixing up our home in Cicero, power boating, canoeing, and bicycling.

Fred Knight- Elder (2007-2010)

Teresa and I have been married over 35 years. We have four married sons, nine grandchildren, and two Chihuahuas. We are a close family with all four sons and their families living in Indianapolis. Three of our sons and their families also attend Heartland. We have attended Heartland for over two years.

I am a Disaster Recovery Architect in Information Technology at Sallie Mae, a large financial company specializing in student loans right here in Fishers. Twenty-two of my thirty-one years in computing have been with this company. Teresa and I recently completed a year helping launch Heartland’s daughter church, Indy Metro, a new church in downtown Indianapolis. Now back at Heartland since July, we look forward to serving active roles in Heartland’s small group life, recovery ministry, and whatever other roles God may assign. My other interests include enjoying family events with our children and grandchildren plus a passion for reading, learning, and helping people in recovery.

Randy McFarland - Elder (2009-2012)

My wife Charlotte and I have been married for seven years and we live here in Fishers.  I am the Public Information Officer for the Fishers Police Department and my duties includ e coordinating community related services and programs offered by the police department such as the Neighborhood Watch Program, Citizens Academy, Explorer Program, Teen Academy and various others.  In addition to these duties I also am the Department’s liaison to the media with responsibility of informing the public regarding newsworthy department events and issues.  I have served on the Fishers Police Department for the past 15 years.  I became a Christ-follower when I was 11 years old, and have developed a deep commitment and love for Jesus and His church, and so I am willing to serve Him in whatever capacity God would provide.  Several years ago (while I was attached to the HSE School system as the School Resource Officer) God gave me a heart for troubled youth.  So I combined my love for fishing and the outdoors with my Christian love for students and began a new ministry called “Catch and Release.”  Each week throughout the summer I would take as many as 7 “at-risk” boys fishing to spend time with them one-on-one, so that I could be a positive male role model and encourage them to set their young lives on the right path.  I have been serving in many capacities at Heartland Church.  I have led and co-led small groups since 2002.  As part of the Host Team I oversee security.  I have 3 children ages 18, 16 and 14 who are part of the Heartland student ministry.  In my spare time I love fishing, hunting, and studying the Bible.

Ned Kivett - Treasurer

Ned is a Certified Financial Planner professional. He earned his Master of Science degree in Industrial Administration from Purdue University‚s Krannert School of Graduate Management.  Ned came to Christ while a student at Purdue through the ministry of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship in the late 60's.  At about the same time Sandy came to Christ thru the ministry of Campus Crusade while she was in graduate school in Alabama.  As a couple they have been involved in several church planting efforts and small group leadership activities in the different communities where they have lived in the past 35 years, including the last 5 years at Heartland.  Ned has served on the Elder Board in these ministries as well. Ned and Sandy have three children and four grandchildren.