Chad McCarthy serves as Heritage Church's lead teaching pastor. Chad and his wife Heather have six children. Currently, their children's (three boys and three girls) school grades range from elementary to high school. Prior to coming to Shawnee, Chad and Heather spent most of the previous decade in north west Arkansas. Chad graduated Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY with an M.Div. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Missiology through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chad has a passion for discipleship— the kind of Jesus following that sees every Christian drawing closer to Jesus and committed to making disciples that make disciples. Chad's hobbies include the outdoors and gardening. He enjoys growing giant tomatoes and watermelon. He is on a quest to produce a 200+ lb watermelon, a goal he has not yet reached.
Aaron Hembree has been the youth pastor at Heritage Church since July 1, 2018. He lives in the church parsonage with his wife Jamie Hembree, newborn daughter Laynie, and an ever-extending family of individuals in foster care and transitional living. Aaron's passions are bringing people into community together and teaching them God's word. His formal education includes a BS in Environmental Engineering from OSU and he is currently pursuing an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His hobbies include drinking coffee and reading books. You'll often find the Hembrees at their local coffee shop, the Gathering Place, located downtown Shawnee.