Heritage Pastoral Staff (click on name to contact via email)
Jim Zippay has served as Lead Pastor of Heritage from its beginnings in September of 1989. Since coming to Christ while a student at the Ohio State University, Jim has been committed to following Jesus with others in a faith community. Jim’s gifts as well as his passions and education revolve around his love for the Word of God. His educational experience includes a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Luther Rice Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Winebrenner Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Jim and his wife, Beth, reside in Westerville with their two children, Gabriel and Andrea.
Pavi Thomas serves as Lead Pastor at Heritage. A member of the senior leadership team of Great Commission Ministries from 1995-2006, he has served as a lead pastor, church planter, teacher and mentor.
Pavi holds a PhD from OSU. Pavi and his wife, Jeanne, have two children, Micah & Hannah.
Andy Sieberhagen joined the pastoral staff of Heritage in June of 2009 as our Missions Pastor. Andy studied for four years at Baptist Theological College of South Africa, and he has served as a full-time student pastor and associate pastor at a Baptist church in South Africa. Andy brings a wealth of personal experience in overseas missions along with a big heart to reach the ends of the earth with the good news of Jesus! He and his wife, Lynn, have two beautiful daughters, Stephanie and Rebecca.
John Thomas serves as our Care Pastor. He joined Heritage’s Pastoral Staff in January of 2007 as Group Life Pastor, and prior to that, John served as Men’s Director and Life Group Director.
John and his wife Karen have 3 grown children, Shalla Johnson (Richard), Jonathan (Delaine), and Heather Hertel (John) and 7 grandchildren. The most exciting thing in ministry is to see people trust God and realize the glorious impact He will make in and through them, their families and the world around them.
Bob Buchan serves on the Heritage staff as the Family Life Pastor. He came into a relationship with Jesus during high school and has walked with Him ever since. Bob has rich Christian background through his former involvement with Young Life, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Campus Crusade for Christ.
He was awarded a B.A. from Otterbein College and then went on to receive Master’s degrees from Georgia State University (M.Ed.), and International Seminary (M.Th.). Bob began his ministerial career as a youth pastor. During the 80’s and 90’s took the lead in starting four churches in central Ohio. Throughout the years, Bob has enjoyed serving as a consultant to church leaders both locally and abroad. Bob and his wife, Linda, have been blessed with five children, C.J., Amy, Matt, Meredith and Michael. Bob is also the author of the book, First Love that Lasts, published by Destiny Image.
Terry Bartley has served as a pastor for more than 30 years and is currently the Group Life & Student Pastor at Heritage.
Coming to Christ as a result of college campus ministry has fueled a life-long passion to reach the next generation and to raise up young leaders. He was the director of the High School Leadership Training program in Myrtle Beach for 10 years. In the past, he has directed the (SIP) Summer Intern Program and the Nehemiah Project to train leaders for high school and college ministry. God has used these programs to transform hundreds of lives. Early in their marriage, Terry and his wife, Jennifer, did ministry together in 5 cities, in 5 states, in 5 years and ended up with 5 children! He enjoys many sports, but unfortunately has been a Detroit Tiger fan his entire life.
John Buckles joined Heritage’s pastoral staff in June 2003 to serve as our Connection Pastor. He received undergraduate and master’s degrees in Communications from Indiana State University, and is a graduate of the Vineyard Leadership Institute. Before coming to Heritage, he was on the faculty of Otterbein College for twenty years.
John desires to see any barriers reduced and removed that restrict ones from getting close to God and one another, and his passion is to cultivate a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Heritage. John and his wife, Sally, live in Westerville with their four children, Michael, Nahom, Meron and Jayden. They also have custody of Samuel in Honduras, whom they hope to have with them someday soon. In his discretionary time, John enjoys distance running and being with his family in the outdoors.
Joel Esala joined the Heritage staff as Young Adults Pastor in August 2009.
He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2001, where afterwards he served as a college minister for 3 years. He earned a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in 2007 and a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2008. He also served as the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, Pennsylvania before coming to Heritage.
His passion is to equip and empower a missional community of the next generation. Joel and his wife Sarah met at Ohio State and have been married for over 10 years. They live in Westerville and had their first son Asher in March 2009. Joel is raising Asher to love Ohio State football, St. Louis Cardinal baseball, good books and good food.
Zoe Hafner was appointed to Heritage’s Pastoral Staff in Aug 2010, but is not new to Heritage. The Hafners came to Heritage in 2003 and immediately felt at home. Zoe joined the Heritage Staff in 2005. Initially, she served as the administrative assistant for the Care Ministry and then in 2007 for Women’s Ministry. After graduating from Vineyard Leadership Institute in 2009, she became Director of Women’s Ministry where she continues to serve.
Zoe delights to see the Word of God come alive in the hearts and lives of people bringing transformation, healing and joy. Zoe’s husband Bill is an enthusiastic member of our worship team and together they count it a privilege to serve Jesus. God blessed Bill and Zoe with five treasured gifts: Eric, Hannah, Joel, Austin and Adam.