Weekly News and Updates

January 29, 2026 | Volume 40, Issue 4

FROM YOUR PASTOR'S HEART ... BIG MONTH AHEAD!

We’ve got a ton of important things happening in the next month or so.

• Today, 1/29, we launch Celebrate Recovery at 5:30 pm! Join us or pray for us!
• Friday and Saturday is the Refresh Conference with JD Walt in Fayetteville.
• Sunday, we get to the heart of the power of Jesus’ blood. See Hebrews 9:11-28. I’m calling the message, The Way to LIFE.
• February 3-7, Pastor Brian Seewald, Greg McClure, leader of Heritage Prayer Ministries, and I will be in Atlanta for the Global Gathering of the College of Prayer International. 
• February 8 we’ll have a town hall meeting at 3:00 pm to present the Chaffee Crossing Campus proposal and answer questions. We’ll get you home in time for the Super Bowl!
• February 18 is Ash Wednesday! We’ll have a service at 7:00 pm. I’ll bring a short but really important message on Hebrews 10:26-39 called A Terrifying Thing: Why the Cross Still Matters.
• February 22 at 3:00 pm, we will have a Church Conference to discuss and vote on the possibility of helping plant a Heritage Church Campus at Chaffee Crossing.
• March 1 at 6:00 pm, we will have a Community Night of Worship and Prayer at Butterfield Church. Several congregations will come together as we worship the LORD and intercede for our region, nation, and world.

It’s been an interesting week with all the snow, ice, and cold weather. Sign up for our text alerts by texting "join" and your email address to 479-425-7983.

Grateful to get to see you in person for worship this Sunday. Invite someone to come with you! It’s going to be a powerful morning! Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed unto humans once to die, and then to face the judgment.” Are you ready for that day? You can be – with hope and boldness!

Wes

P.S. Larry Shackelford will be blessing us with cheese omelets on Sunday morning! Come get one in the Fellowship Hall before either service.

Timothy Team Parents

February 4, we will cover lessons 16 and 17 in class, so please have children complete both lessons in their workbooks. 

Parents of children 3 years old through Kindergarten will receive the coloring page for lessons 17 and 18 on February 4. Teachers will cover lessons 16 and 17 on that night. 

Opportunity for a Heritage Campus at Chaffee Crossing

We’re continuing our exploration of a second Heritage campus at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith. Last week, we gave some background (click here to see last week’s newsletter). This week, we’ll look at why expanding Heritage is preferable to the conference over planting a brand-new church, and the impact of such an expansion on our current congregation.

Before we look at those questions, a word about the proposed model of expansion. We are looking at a central management model in which financial, operational, and administrative functions remain at Heritage Church Van Buren. The second campus would have a full-time campus pastor under the existing leadership of Heritage Church. Initially that campus pastor would be the only paid staff, but over time, additional full- and/or part-time staff could be hired as needed, still under the umbrella of Heritage Church central leadership. Finance and administrative oversight would remain centralized, and campus teams would carry out their respective roles under one leadership team. There would be certain items that would be the same at both campuses, such as identity, messaging, and core values. Others would be flexible depending on the campus, such as song choice, individual sermons, and outreach activities.

Why a second Heritage campus instead of a new church plant by the conference? The Trinity Conference and Heritage leadership feel that multiplying Heritage’s “good DNA” is a better, healthier model than planting a new Global Methodist church independently. It promotes unity across campuses, enhances collaboration, and provides clear accountability in leadership. It allows us to share our “good DNA” in ministry, processes, curriculum, resources, and culture.

How might this impact our current Van Buren congregation? While there are some East Fort Smith/Chaffee Crossing area members who want a campus closer to home, there are also many Fort Smith residents who attend Heritage and plan to stay at the Van Buren campus. As mentioned above, a central management approach also seeks to multiply what is good, which we believe would result in two strong, flourishing campuses. 

If you would like a copy of the Expansion Opportunity overview document, please stop by the office anytime. Next week, we’ll have our Town Hall meeting on Sunday at 3:00 pm. If you have questions that you’d like to see addressed, please click the button below to submit them. 

Wes

Celebrate Recovery Launches Tonight!

January 29 at 5:30 pm in the New Room

A Christ-centered approach to find freedom from your hurts, habits, and hang-ups in a judgment-free space.

Schedule:

5:30 pm Meal

6:00 pm Large Group

7:00 pm Open Share

2025 Contribution Statements

2025 Contribution Statements are now available. If we have an email address on file for you, you should have received an email with a link to download your statement.

If you would prefer a printed copy, please contact the church office, 479-474-6424, and we will be happy to provide one.



Thank you for your continued support of the ministries at Heritage!

Snack Packs

We will be stuffing Snack packs on February 11 at 1:00 pm. If you'd like to help stuff, please reach out to me. We need to collect a few more items in bulk of 50. We need: Mac and cheese cups, fruit cups, Cheese-filled crackers, Pretzels, & or Rice Crispy treats. If you want to provide a snack, please also let me know so I can mark it off the list. Thank you! 

Madison Simmons msimmons@heritage.church

Financial Support Needed for Students

Spring Break is approaching quickly. We have a few students who do not have the means to pay for it. If you feel led to donate to help a student who is in need of financial help, please contact me. The total cost per student is $600. I know these students who are in need, and I would greatly appreciate your financial contribution towards their trip. 

Jake

jsimmons@heritage.church

Introducing the Heritage Church Medical Ministry Team

We are excited to announce the formation of a new ministry designed to serve our congregation and community in both practical and compassionate ways—our Medical Ministry Team.

Click here to learn more!

Clothes Closet Needs Men's Clothes

The Clothes Closet is in need of men's clothing. Specific needs are men's: jeans & khakis and knit pullovers. If you have any donations please bring them to the bin in the Fellowship Hall or take them directly to the Clothes Closet (open Monday's 9:30 am-12:00 pm, Thursdays 4:00-6:00 pm).

The Hospitality Team Needs YOU

Have you ever felt the call to help a family in need?

Dreamed of saving someone from the elements?

Suspected—deep down—that you might be made for more?

You just might be the hero Heritage is looking for!

We’re excited to expand our welcome ministry into the parking lot by greeting guests right at their cars—armed with a smile, a helping hand, and an umbrella when the rain rolls in. With designated visitor, family, and handicapped parking, you’ll know exactly who to look for as you swoop in to save the day during our upcoming spring season.

If you’re ready to serve as a Hospitality Hero, let Haley know! Catch her between services or send her an email to hcrutcher@heritage.church.

Because sometimes the smallest acts—like holding an umbrella—make the biggest difference.

Interested in Connecting Around Autism?

Do you or someone you love live with autism? Are you looking for a place to learn, connect, and feel understood? We are exploring the possibility of starting a support group for individuals with autism and for family members and friends who want to better understand and support those on the autism spectrum. If you're interested in participating in such a group, please contact Deb Bandimere at deb4autism@yahoo.com.

This Week at Heritage and Prayer Concerns

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