Senior Pastor:

Dr. Philip Willingham

Secretary:

Rhonda Willingham

Pastor Philip Willingham, born in northern Alabama, has a Bachelor of Theology; Master of Theology; Master of Divinity; and Doctorate of Ministry. He and his wife, Rhonda, have three children: Sunshine, Matthew, and Amber. Pastor's ministries have included revivals, crusades, pastoring, conferences and youth camps. His hobbies are golf and horses.

"My purpose in life: to encourage my family, friends and others in my sphere of influence to live lives of commitment to their familiies and Jesus Christ; by living a Godly life, applying God's Word to every situation they face, and teaching others to do so." — Pastor Phil Willingham

Sister Rhonda has her P.H.T. Degree (Putting Him Through), received when Pastor earned his Bachelor of Theology. Her hobbies are painting, photography, and walks enjoying nature.

The Willinghams met at church. Sister Rhonda's father was an evangelist who preached revivals in the church that Pastor Phil's father pastored. They came to Heartland Christian Center in November 2000 and enjoy spending time together.

Foundational Verse: Philippians 1:21 -  "For me to live is Christ to die is to gain."

Heartland Ministry Development Center Dean:

Pastor Regin and Kelly Johnson

Raised in Michigan's upper peninsula, Pastor Regin enjoys photography, music, hunting, remodeling houses, and computers. He has earned degrees in Communications and Electrical Engineering at Michigan Technological University and also studied at the Berean School of the Bible. His ministry has involved over 20 years in music, Chi Alpha Campus Pastor, Youth Pastor and Discipleship Pastor. Since joining the team in September 2004, his role has developed to include Executive Pastor, and Dean of the Heartland Ministry Development Center.

Regin met his wife, Kelly, at a Chi Alpha Retreat. Raised in central Iowa, Kelly studied Elementary Education at Iowa State University. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking, country decorating, and crafts.

Regin and Kelly have four children: Abby, Emma, Caleb and Noah. Together they enjoy playing games, visiting family, going on field trips and being involved with the nursing home ministry.

Foundational Verse: Romans 12:1-2

Student Ministries Pastor/Worship Leader:

Pastor Matt and Leslie Willingham

After being raised in Kentucky and Alabama, Pastor Matt went on to receive his Bachelors in Liberal Arts from Purdue North Central. Pastor Matt is the Student Ministries Pastor which includes Junior High Ministry, Senior High Ministry, and College and Career. Matt enjoys basketball, golf and working out and says his foundational scripture verse is Jeremiah 29:11.

Pastor Matt's wife, Leslie, was raised in Colorado and Indiana. She obtained her Associate Degree of Nursing from Purdue North Central. Leslie's family came to Heartland the first Sunday Pastor Phil was the new pastor. Pastor Matt came to Heartland to live with his family, to begin his life in the ministry and to meet Leslie (the girl his mom would never stop talking about). Leslie enjoys taking pictures, scrapbooking, and spending time with family.

Together, they enjoy going to the beach in the summer,  to the movies and out to eat.

Pastor Matt and Leslie have two boys, Mason and Jeremiah.

Children's Ministry Pastor:

Pastor Jeff and Paulena Nice

Before joining the Heartland staff in March 2007, Jeff interned at 1st Assembly of God in Waterbury, Connecticut as the Children's Pastor. Together, Jeff and Paulena served at Mission Possible Ministries in Citrus Spring, Florida as Children's Pastor from 2004-2006. Afterwards, Jeff served as the Youth Pastor at 1st Assembly of God in Inverness, Florida for a few months.

While Jeff enjoys watching sports (a Green Bay Packers fan), reading, spending time with people and video games, Paulena enjoys scrapbooking, reading, sleeping, and dancing. They mutually enjoy playing board games, watching television and simply spending time together.

Jeff attended Zion Bible College in Barrington, Rhode Island and Paulena attended Alma College in Alma, Michigan. Their foundational scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6.

Custodial/Pastoral Care:

Pastor Byron and Sharon Benedict

Both born and raised in Northwest Indiana, Byron and Sharon married in 1972. Byron became licensed with the Assemblies of God in 2007.

Before coming to Heartland Christian Center in 2004, Pastor Byron served as youth minister at Calvary Temple in Portage, IN for three years. In 2007, he accepted the position of Pastor to the Young at Heart group at Heartland.

In his spare time, Byron enjoys watching wrestling and solving Sudoku puzzles. He is in the process of learning computers and "joining the 21st century" in that regard.

Sharon enjoys taking walks, reading, and baking.

Jr. High Pastor/Sound Technician:

Pastor John Kilavos

Born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana, Pastor John is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Purdue University North Central, and after acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree he plans on obtaining a Masters in Biblical Studies.

Pastor John currently heads up the Junior High Ministry which is a part of our student ministries led by Pastor Matt. Pastor John enjoys playing golf primarily along with just about any other sport, and also riding his motorcycle.

His foundational scripture verse is Romans 1:16.

Multimedia Director

Greg Michalec

Born and raised in Northwest Indiana, Greg graduated Magna Cum Laude from Valparaiso University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. His tenure at Heartland Christian Center marks his first ministry position.

He founded Silverline Studios in 2007, and produces original music under the artist name of Sole Signal. In his free time, he enjoys playing any kind of sport, reading, and creating videos and music.

Office Administrator

Sarah Guajardo

Born in Illinois and raised in the South and Illinois, Sarah graduated from Governors State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2008 with plans to pursue a Masters in International Media and Film Production. While working at Hammond First Assembly of God as the sound technician, Sarah came across Heartland Christian Center in 2008 when an opportunity to go on a missions trip to Spain came up.

Sarah enjoys watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, reading books, and playing with her dogs.