
The journey began in May 2000, when Pastor Darryn Scheske, his wife Loree, and their three young children came to Fishers, Indiana. Over the next seven months, Darryn spent most of hi
s time meeting community leaders, prayer walking, and interviewing residents to learn, “What is a Hoosier? Why do only 2 out of 10 people in our community actually go to church?” In February 2001, the Scheske’s started a Bible study with 18 people in attendance (most do not go to church). The group grew to an average of 30 people over the next two months, and in May, 12 people took part in the first baptism service.That same month, after moving out of the house into the Fishers Holiday Inn, Darryn and this upstart “simple” church signed a lease on the old Elek-Tek Computer store building (our current building) at corner of I-69 and 96th Street. A summer of construction resulted in the grand opening of Adventureland Childcare on September 15, 2001, and, despite a torrential downpour, 154 people showing up for the “official” launch of Heartland Church on Sunday, October 14, 2001.
And the journey continues…
Sept. 2003 - 1st Members Class
Easter 2004 - 454 attend worship services
Feb. 2005 - 1st local Elders affirmed by Heartland members
Easter 2006 - 625 attend worship services
May 2006 - members vote unanimously to purchase 69 acres of land for $1.5 million, just east of Exit #10 (I-69)
Sept. 2006 - launched 1st daughter church, Indy Metro Church in downtown Indianapolis. The vision of Pastor Dan Pride, we sent our Youth Pastor, Aaron Story, his wife Carrie, and over 60 people to form the IMC launch team.
Sept. 2006 - members of Northway Community Church, under the leadership of Pastor Gary Stump, unanimously decide to join Heartland
Easter 2007 - 787 attend worship services
May 6, 2007 - aproximately 900 attend the first-ever ONELIFE Festival in the front parking lot of the building
May 19-20, 2007 - members pledge more than $2.7 million dollars to pay off land purchase and renovate our current building, providing more space for worship and kids environments
Summer 2007 - more than 800 regularly attending weekend worship services
October 19, 2008 - Grand Opening of a new 1,000 seat auditorium.
October 10, 2010 - Launch of the Hamilton Southeastern Campus, making Heartland a multi-site church, reaching even more unchurched people of the Indianapolis area.