Hi, my name is Heidi Bak and I am pleased to meet you in the name of Jesus Christ as the Pastor of Porchtown Zion United Methodist Church. In an effort to help you get to know the church and me, I would like to share some of my background with you.
  

"I believe the quote from Corrie Ten Boom (a noted author who wrote of her experiences and her faith in God as she survived the Holocaust) is a very good summation of my life. She said, "Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." God has closed many windows & opened doors as He has drawn me to the Cross and full-time servant ministry."

"This is an exciting time in the life of the Church, as it experiences independence and growth and new ministries, and I am excited (and humbled) to be a part of it. I bring faithfulness and zeal and thank God for the privilege of serving Him through the people of Porchtown. You will not find a more warm and welcoming group of people. Come pop into our pond and check us out!"

Our Pastor

   Born and raised in New Jersey, I graduated from Sterling High School in 1975. I have been married for 30+ years to the love of my life, Ed. We have three beautiful children: Laura, Melissa & Jason, 3 granddaughters, and another grandchild on the way.  For many years, I worked as an office manager for various businesses. When my third child was born, I quit work and began a home-based, full-service sewing business called Heidi's Handiwork. As a member of Sicklerville United Methodist Church, I served on and chaired many committees, taught Sunday School and many Bible studies, was a Certified Lay Speaker and the Church's representative to Annual Conference. It was here that I knew the Lord was calling me to full-time ministry and I began the Local Pastor Licensing process.

When I closed my business, I was appointed to Asbury United Methodist Church in Woodstown, N.J. as the Coordinator of Children and Youth Ministries. I went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Bible and Minor in Leadership from Philadelphia Biblical University in July, 2001. That September, I began full-time studies at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in pursuit of a Masters of Divinity Degree (which I received in May, 2004). Meanwhile, I was appointed to Porchtown Zion Church in July 2002 where I started pastoring part-time while still in Seminary. That experience helped me to grow and apply what I learned as I served, much like a medical resident. Porchtown Church grew to become a full-time charge in 2004, where I currently enjoy serving three worship services per week plus Bible studies, as a coach with the Life Coach Ministry and mentor in the Delaware Bay District, among many other activities that help grow Disciples of Christ.