Dear Calvary Family,
Today, we share important news regarding Heather Whipple, who after over two decades of dedicated service, and after a few years of prayer and planning with our leadership team, and directly with me, will be stepping down from her role on our church staff. I am incredibly proud of Heather, her walk with Christ, and her fruitful ministry. She is a treasure to me and, though I do see God’s hand in moving her on from her current role, I will miss her terribly in that role. But we both think this is the best next move for her life.
Heather’s journey at Calvary has been remarkable. Starting as a youth worker, she advanced through roles including youth pastor assistant, pastoral assistant, events coordinator, and most recently, facilities coordinator. Beyond these titles, Heather has filled countless other roles, consistently serving with a heart deeply aligned with the biblical gift of helps (1 Cor. 12:28).
Heather has been more than an employee; she has been a fiercely loyal servant and friend, deeply cherished by so many within our community. She has an extraordinary gift for loving people, connecting with newcomers, and reaching out compassionately to those on the fringes.
While it can be unsettling to imagine Calvary without Heather’s daily on-staff presence, we recognize that as our church has grown and evolved, our organizational needs have shifted significantly. Much of Heather’s current role has become logistical, which has, in some ways, limited her unique strengths and passion for personal ministry.
Someone recently said to me, “I heard we are losing Heather.” My internal impulse was to reply, “We aren’t losing her. Through this transition, getting her out of operations and back into her giftings as a warm and welcoming believer who is called to help connect people to the body of Christ, we are going to find her!” As her friend and pastor, my hope is that through this transition, Heather will rediscover and fully embrace the roles that truly reflect her gifts. In a very real sense, I anticipate “finding Heather” again as she moves into this new season.
We acknowledge that no single person could fill Heather’s shoes. Moving forward, we plan to adapt our staffing structure to meet the expanding needs of our growing church community. We look ahead with excitement and faith, anticipating greater effectiveness in discipleship, outreach, and community engagement.
Please join us in expressing profound gratitude to Heather Whipple for her exceptional service, and pray with us for God’s richest blessings on her next chapter.
In Christ,
Nate Holdridge
Calvary Church Leadership Team
