STAFF
WES HILLIARD
Lead Pastor
Wes & Allison came to Heritage in June of 2001. They have two grown children, Lindsay Staggs (Josh) & Libby and three grandchildren, Claire, Emma, & Samuel. Wes has a passion to see the Church of Jesus Christ thrive with power, vitality, faith, emotional health, & life-changing zeal to make the presence of Jesus real to our world. He believes, "If Jesus & the early church did it, so should we!"
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Wes has been an ordained minister for over 32 years. He has also spent over 30 years associated with the military as a cadet, field artillery officer, & chaplain. This has taken him around the world & exposed him to many life-changing encounters. Wes retired from the military in February 2015 as the Joint Forces Headquarters Staff Chaplain & the Senior Army Command Chaplain for the Arkansas National Guard.
BRIAN SEEWALD
Discipleship Minister
Brian & his wife Shawnna joined the staff at Heritage in January of 2006. Brian and his family took a leap a faith to move to Arkansas from California, leaving behind their family, friends, and his band Shadowbox Puppets. He is awed that God would allow him and his family to be a part of Heritage Church. They have 3 children, Madison, Alyssa, and Parker. Brian feels so blessed to be able to work with the students at Heritage Church. Brian began ministry at Heritage as the student minister. In 2018 he transitioned into the Discipleship Minister.
He has a deep passion for the Word of God, a love for the community, &a love for being with others. He also loves showing people how to walk with Jesus, encouraging all to embrace the Great Commission of being a disciple who makes disciples.
BOBBY BOYAKIN
Business Administrator
Bobby and his wife, Diana began attending Heritage in January 2009. They joined the staff in September of 2017. They have one daughter and three grandchildren.
Bobby spent 34 years in the business world but has always had a heart for ministry. During those years, He pastored a small congregation for four years.
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He enjoys his family, especially the grandkids, and his church family. The friendships developed at Heritage, especially through Life Groups, have blessed he and his family beyond measure.
CALEB LESTER
Worship Arts Minister
Caleb and his wife Shalon moved here in 2017 from Oklahoma City. Caleb is the Worship Arts Pastor and Shalon is our staff accompanist. They have quickly grown to call Van Buren and Heritage their home. When she is not playing at the church Shalon is an adjunct professor of piano at UAFS as well as teaches her own private students. Together they have two little girls who bring them many laughs and joy. They love to worship and serve the body through their gifts and talents as well as equip others to do the same.
MADISON SIMMONS
Children's Minister
Madison grew up in Van Buren and is a product of the ministries of Heritage. She graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 2018 with a double major in Speech Communications and Emergency Management and a minor in Recreation and Parks. In college, she was a ministry intern with the Wesley Foundation, an intern for UMCOR, and a counselor at Camp War Eagle. Madison married her husband Jake in 2017. Since 2018, they have served to point children, youth, and young adults at Heritage to Christ. She has a passion for seeing the next generation take hold of their faith.
JAKE SIMMONS
Youth Minister
Jake grew up here in Van Buren. He graduated from ATU with a Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management. Recently he received his Masters of Divinity from Liberty University. In college, he served as a intern with the Wesley Foundation fostering discipleship relationships with freshmen and ministry team leaders.
Jake is married to his high school sweetheart, Madison Simmons who is our Children's Minister. Jake has a passion for showing youth age students how to become who Jesus created them to be. He is excited to lead our youth ministry into the future.
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BECKI KNEELAND
Welcome Minister
Becki and her husband Mike joined the staff at Heritage in July of 2011. They have 2 children. Becki's passion is people. She is a hometown girl that believes God has gifted her in such a way that she never meets a stranger.
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She loves to develop long-lasting Christian friendships that go well below the surface. She believes that every person has priceless value in the eyes of God.
REBEKAH HUTTON
Communications Director
Rebekah came to Heritage in 2021. A Fort Smith native, she graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a degree in music. After college she lived in Washington, D.C., for many years working in government and the nonprofit sector. She continues to provide communications and outreach consultation to federal agencies in education, labor and justice. She loves Heritage Church. Her passion is Jesus, and she seeks to live a life that inspires others to deepen their faith and walk with Christ.
SHAWNNA SEEWALD
Preschool Coordinator
Shawnna Seewald became a part of Heritage Church in 2006 as her husband, Brian Seewald, was hired as their new youth minister. They are originally from Southern California. Shortly after their arrival, Shawnna began her involvement at Heritage Preschool as a classroom teacher. Since then, she has been Assistant Pre-school Coordinator and has filled the role of Preschool Coordinator since fall of 2015. She loves Heritage Church, has a huge heart for kids and loves the city of Van Buren.
PAM JAMES
Staff Secretary
Pam and her husband, Kip, joined the staff at Heritage in April of 2013. They have 3 children, Colt and his wife, Victoria and Jennifer and her husband, Cade. She is also a proud Grammy of two boys and a girl! Pam is the Staff Secretary and is one of the first people you might hear on the phone at Heritage. She loves to help, encourage, and pray for everyone!
Most important to her is her family and friends! God has called her family here to grow and be blessed. Growth and blessing opportunities abound at Heritage!
KIP JAMES
Associate Pastor/Cowboy Church
Kip has had a heart for ministry since childhood by actively serving in his small hometown church in Southeast Kansas from an early age. Kip became lost to the world as a young adult and in 2005 due to God’s grace and Heritage, the calling to ministry was restored. Kip currently is serving as the Pastor at John and Pat Poole’s Adonai Tsuri Cowboy Church.
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The most important things to him are his family – wife Pam, son Colt and daughter-in-law Victoria, and daughter Jennifer and son-in-law, Cade. Heritage has been a place for restoration for Kip and he desires nothing more than to share the heart of Jesus. He has been truly blessed by Heritage family.
BAKARY DOUMBOUYA
Missionary in Residence
Bakary is always on the mission field. He serves in a variety of countries across the globe. He is fluent in 7 languages which helps him to reach many groups of people. If you ever get the chance to meet Bakary you will probably hear one of the powerful stories of how God is at work around the world.
