New Beginnings
French speakers call it the la rentrée (the re-entry). Swedish speakers call it the upprop (roll call). Many Slavic-language speakers call it the pyehrvi zvahnohk (first bell). German speakers call it the schultüte (school cone). Lakota speakers refer to it in the sense of tokahe (the beginning), and both English and Spanish languages respectively refer to it as the “first day of school.”
Though our calendars begin with New Year’s Day, most of our relational, cultural, and church-activity rhythms revolve around the academic year. As we enter a new school year, we want to recognize several new beginnings in ministries across our district. Please join me in welcoming the following senior pastors, associate pastors, ministry residents, and field staff to our Converge Heartland family.
LEAD/SENIOR PASTORS
Pastor Mike Johnson (Faith Baptist Fellowship in Sioux Falls, SD): Mike and Maya Johnson have rich experience in missions, church ministry, and biblical counseling. After 10 years of fruitful ministry at Ridgeview Bible Church in Chadron, NE, Mike has accepted the call to succeed Dana Olson as the Lead Pastor of Faith Baptist Fellowship.
Dr. Jeremy Bradshaw (First Baptist Church of Cairo, NE): Jeremy faithfully served in pastoral ministry for many years in southeast Texas. His initial connection to Converge Heartland came through Pastor Kyle Campise in Ord, NE, with whom he studied in seminary. Jeremy, his wife Blair, and their two children have relocated to Cairo, NE, where they are succeeding Pastor Jack and Lori Boling.
ASSOCIATE PASTORS
Pastor Samuel Tschetter (Stromsburg Baptist Church, in Stromsburg, NE): This year, Stromsburg Baptist Church not only celebrated 150 years of faithful gospel ministry, but they also hired their first associate pastor! Samuel and Charissa Tschetter are graduates of Calvary University and Seminary in Kansas City, MO. Samuel hails from GracePoint Church in Ogallala, NE, where his parents, Curtis and Janean Tschetter, have served for 30 years.
Pastor Phil Newby (Community Bible Church, in Pierre, SD): Though CBC Pierre is not formally a Converge Heartland church, we enjoy a solid networking relationship with them. As such, we recently aided them in placing Phil Newby from Miles City, MT. Phil and Pam Newby are bringing a mutual ministry calling and many celebrated years of seasoned ministry experience.
MINISTRY RESIDENTS
Caiden Capaldo (Sun Prairie Baptist Church in Salem, SD): Having completed his undergraduate studies at Bethlehem College in Minneapolis, MN, Caiden and Ellie Capaldo are gaining small-town and rural ministry experience under the veteran direction of Mark and Dee Dickson. Caiden is continuing his studies through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.
Philip Reeves (Harvest Plains Church in Mapleton, ND): As one of Harvest Plains’ charter members, Philip is now serving as the Worship Ministry Resident. Philip, Sarah (his wife), and their three children reside in nearby Casselton, ND. Philip is continuing his ministry education through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.
Tyler Eastman (Center Baptist Church in Omaha, NE): No stranger to Cornhusker nation, Tyler comes from a ministry-family background in eastern Nebraska. As a high-school sports standout with a call to ministry, he met Pastor Davy Lee of Center Baptist Church through connections made with Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College in Kansas City.
Mike Johannes (Haven Baptist Church in Haven, KS): Previously an intern under Pastor Chris Powell, Mike now serves as a ministry resident at Haven Baptist Church. Mike and his wife, Rebecca, are newlyweds and recent graduates of Manhattan Christian College. They share a calling to gospel ministry and enjoy leading the youth ministry at HBC.
NEW CONVERGE HEARTLAND STAFF
Rev. Dana Olson, Director of Prayer First Heartland: Dana Olson will be refocusing his ministry to lead church-based prayer retreats and do other church-strengthening work. Connect with him at dana@convergeheartland.org and learn how to support Dana in his new ministry role.
Danny Fergen, Pastoral Search Coordinator: Danny Fergen is a gifted minister who oversees the worship, audio, and video ministries at Central Church in Sioux Falls, SD. We are excited for Danny to serve part-time with Converge Heartland and help us address the growing need for pastoral search services.
Chase Hill, Church Planting Catalyst: Chase Hill is the Founding and Lead Pastor of Gospel Life Church in Wichita, KS. Chase is now serving part-time with Converge Heartland to help recruit new church planters and identify potential church affiliations in our district’s southern tier.