Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
OUR PASTOR
Rev. Bradley Heinecke grew up in Wisconsin, the fourth of six children. So, there will be lots of talk about cheese, Green Bay Packers, and the Wisconsin Badgers. I have not lived there for thirty years but you just can’t take the Cheesehead out of the Wisconsin boy.
Two events in my High School years seemed to have touched me the most. The struggles in the Missouri Synod over the inerrancy and authority of God’s Word had just went through an important point and was very evident at Concordia St. Paul where I attended college. Many of the professors were in support of the break off group in our church body as seen at Seminex (Seminary in Exile). It caused me very early in my studies to make sure that I understood the liberal theology that was being espoused by some in church body and in the Christian Church at large. A second event in America also took place in the mid-1970s, that being the legalization of abortion. These two events have continued to weigh heavy on my heart for the past 45 years.
During the last year of my college studies I met the love of my life. A quiet young gal, named Debbie, who sat in front of me in band. Within two months I knew she would be my wife and we were married the next summer before heading to Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne. Four years later, and three children later, I graduated in 1982 and received my first call to Wisconsin. I served in Wisconsin for about 8 years before moving out West. For the next 29 years I served parishes in the Wyoming District. The last congregation I served was St. Paul’s Lutheran in Sidney, NE from 2000 to 2018. Sidney was the home of Cabelas and when they were bought by Bass Pro they were closed down and the town, and the congregation, went through difficult times. Due to those problems I determined it was best to “retire” and move to our new home in Florida, hoping that I might still receive a call to serve a parish. And that is where you come in. What a joy to receive the call to serve you here in Horseshoe Bend.
Debbie and I have five children, Jerry and Erica live in Buffalo, WY (where he serves as pastor) with four of our grandkids; Josh and Allisa and two grandkids live in Montrose, CO; Chris and Dawn live in Kennewick, WA; Andy lives with us; and Beth and Michael and three grandkids live in Holt’s Summit, MO where he serves as pastor. You will get to know Andy and his big smile as you see him around church and out for walks. He has seizures, which for the most part are under control, but his biggest problem is severe head pains that doctors have not been able to diagnose.
Being where God puts you is a great place to be, for pastors and lay people alike. This area is indeed beautiful and Debbie and I love traveling and seeing the sights. We have kept our retirement home in Florida and plan on having many of our Elder and Council Meetings there. (Hoping that idea might catch on so that many will want to serve as officers in the congregation.)
OUR CHURCH
On March 31, 1974, thirty-six interested people met with Rev. Berthold J. Lossel, Interim Pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Hardy, to discuss the formation of a Lutheran Church in Horseshoe Bend. Rev. Ralph Bird the newly called Pastor at Peace Lutheran in Hardy, conducted the first service at the Lion's Den on July 21, 1974, with seventy-five people in attendance. The name "The Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church" was selected.
In January 1975, clear title to a church site was announced and a building committee was appointed. A ground-breaking service for the new sanctuary was held on April 11, 1976 with 150 attending. The unique features of the new $170,000 structure was the installation of solar heat panels and seven memorial circular faceted stained glass windows depicting the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23. On May 1, 1978, Rev. Ralph Bird and Dr. Wilbert Griesse, President of the Mid-South District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, led the service of dedication.
On October 1, 1978, Rev. Walter Rueger, was installed as the first resident Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills. On January 6, 1980, two members of the congregation, George and Ruth Brandau were commissioned as lay workers to Liberia, Afica. The Lord Jesus in His wisdom called Rev. Rueger to his eternal home on January 13, 1980. On October 11, 1981, a beautiful 17 foot textured stainless steel sculpture of the "Good Shepherd leading His Flock" was dedicated to the Glory of God in loving memory of Rev. Rueger and mounted on the front of the church.
On October 12, 1980, Rev. Eric Cash was installed as first full-time Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills. On September 18, 1983, a new Rodgers organ was dedicated to the Glory of God in memory of many faithful servants of God. On June 26,1988, Pastor Cash retired from the active ministry. On July 1, 1989, Rev. John Reimold was installed as the second full-time pastor of the congregation. During this time a Tape Ministry was started for shut-ins and the church's first Newsletter was printed. Rev. Reimold retired from the active ministry on May 31,1996.
On November 17, 1996, Rev. David Tews was installed as the congregation's third full-time pastor. The fellowship hall has been expanded and handicapped accessible restrooms, a Sunday School room, a choir room and storage space have been added. Pastor Tews retired from the active ministry on December 31, 2018.
On November 3, 2019, Rev. Bradley Heinecke was installed as the congregation's fourth full-time pastor.