Posting to First Baptist Church is returning home for minister

Pastor Dave Heinrichs started at First Baptist Church in September. The Port Rowan-area native wanted to return to the area after working in British Columbia and the Prairie Provinces during his career. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Starting at the First Baptist Church in Tillsonburg was like returning home for Pastor Dave Heinrichs.

Growing up in Port Rowan and attending Valley Heights Secondary School, he went to bible college at the University of Winnipeg, and then completed his Masters of Divinity at the Canadian Baptist Seminary in Langley, British Columbia. He then worked in western Canada for his entire career.

“When I came back to visit friends and family, I felt I wanted to come back and work in the area,” he said.

Heinrichs has two daughters, one of whom lives in Toronto. This move will bring him closer to her.

“I’ve always loved this area – the fall colours, the forests, the lake,” he said. “Wherever you grow up with, it’s in your heart. I loved the mountains of BC and the prairies, but it was never home. This is still home.”

Growing up, Heinrichs attended Port Rowan Mennonite Brethren Church, which is similar to a Baptist church. At first after graduating high school, he looked at being a pilot as a career and worked at TDS while figuring out his calling. Then, in 1990, after his first year of university, he worked in Port Rowan as a youth minister.

“I felt it was the direction I should go was to be a pastor,” he said.

There is also a personal connection for Heinrichs with Tillsonburg as he grew up playing hockey against Tillsonburg, saw his first movie in the Strand Theatre and his first summer job was at TRW.

He is coming to a congregation of 130 to 150 people. There is a part-time ministry assistant at the church to work with youth, as well as administrative personnel.

Heinrichs has a theme to his return: the church of second chances.

“I wanted to give people a second chance and wanted people to be able to come back to the church wherever they’ve been and have a place with God,” he said.

Heinrichs has also experienced second chances, being divorced in 2009.

“People feel life has gone south for them,” he said. “If people want to come here, you don’t need a perfect life because I don’t have one. That’s part of the second chance with God.”

Worship service is Sunday at 10 a.m. and there is a Bible study on Tuesday afternoons.

The music at the church is traditional mixed with contemporary.

“The attempt is to try to relate with the younger people as well,” Heinrichs said.

Outside of worship hours, Heinrichs is in the office Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“My door is always open for anyone who wants to come by and say ‘Hi’,” he said.