Most people today are not aware that slavery is rampant in our world. There are over 27 million slaves worldwide—men, women, and children exploited by force for sex, labor, or body parts. To create awareness of the need for modern-day abolitionists, an newly formed organization under the Wesleyan Church—StAt (Stand Against Trafficking)—hosted a public forum on this issue. Heather wrote the script and directed the program on behalf of a coalition of Indiana citizens networking to abolish human trafficking. This coalition represents government agencies, first responders, civic organizations, and people of faith across our communities. The goal was to bring a powerful introduction to the horrible and growing concern of Human Trafficking so that we may have the ability to fight back.
Nearly 500 people attended the event, and 160 people went to an intense 3-day training on how to identify and care for victims of trafficking the following days.
After learning about its social justice roots and its strong emphasis on life transformation, Heather fell in love with The Wesleyan Church. (Good thing, because her husband was soon asked to serve as Senior Pastor at a local church in the denomination.) One of the premier Wesleyan churches is Celebrate Church in Sioux Falls. Heather had met the Senior Pastor, Keith Loy, at a church conference and later interviewed him for a news article, and was entirely inspired by the evidence of his good work in Christ. So when Keith asked Heather to share her testimony in his series on joy, she gladly accepted the invitation.
Heather spoke at their 5 services to their 3000 attendees, and heard many powerful personal testimonies from the congregation between services.
Heather has shared her story in Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, a collection of true stories written by women who have unexpectedly encountered grit and experienced grace through the difficult times. The Pearl Girls™ are praying this will be a “Blessed Seller” for the charities supported by the sales of this book.
"Perhaps you have heard the story of the oyster that unexpectedly gets a piece of sand stuck inside its shell. Nacre coats this irritant and creates a pearl. Like the oyster, we encounter unexpected grit in our everyday lives—illness, loss, disappointment, pain, changes . . . and the list goes on. However, God’s nacre of love and grace covers our pain and transforms us into precious pearls."
—Margaret McSweeney
Christianity Today's blog for Women, Her.meneutics, discusses relevant topics in thoughtful ways. Heather, a self-proclaimed Twit, was asked to write a defense of Twitter for the blog to help women understand the ministry potential this venue offers. That article runs today.
Sharing a deeply personaly story is somehow easier to do with strangers than with close friends and family. Heather was willing to take the risk with her church family so that they too could hear the powerful story of hope and unite in their passion to bring hope to others in their community: God truly does make all things good. Heather shared her testimony in the morning service to near record-breaking crowd and then spoke to the ladies at an evening Tea on Steps to Healing.
Heather's husband Larry has accepted the invitation by his own church, Fall Creek Wesleyan in Fishers, Indiana, to be their Senior Pastor. Larry is currently the editorial director at Wesleyan Publishing House and has been preaching at Fall Creek while the local church board searched for a new pastor.
Pastor Larry will begin his duties on February 8. Heather is excited to join him in ministry at this church they love so much.
To find out more about Larry's decision to go back into the ministry, see his blog.
"Twenty-three years ago, the Christian Action Council Education and Ministries Fund, which is today known as Care Net, asked President Ronald Reagan to create a special day to focus on the intrinsic value of human life and the fundamental right to life, as recognized by the American Founding Fathers.
"In 1983, President Reagan issued a proclamation establishing a National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS). Since 1983, the SOHLS proclamation has also been issued by Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.
"The National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is held on the Sunday in January that falls closest to the day on which the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions were handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 1973.
This year SOHLS will take place on January 18, 2009."*
Heather will be sharing her lifegiving testimony during Houston First Church of God's worship service.
While her American friends and family are enjoying leftover turkey, Heather will be speaking at a women's event in Ontario (Canadian thanksgiving was on October 13), encouraging her audience to live in joy no matter what the circumstances.
Susan Rumford, the event coordinator, heard Heather speak at a
retreat three years ago. Heather and Susan became instant friends, and are looking forward to ministering together again.
When Bridgitte Tetteh of Premier Christian Radio was asked which interviewee made the biggest impression on her, she said:
"It has got to be author Heather Gemmen. She wrote book called Startling Beauty, which tells her personal testimony.... In a society where race and faith is so divisive, it was the most powerful and heartfelt witnesses to faith I’ve ever heard."
*
Four years later, Heather and Bridgitte have the opportunity to connect again. Heather will be interviewed on Thursday; Bridgitte's show, Premier Drive, will air on Monday.
Gary VanRiper is a pastor of a Wesleyan church and a board member of the CareNet Pregnancy Centers in central New York—and shares so many connections with Heather they are surprised they'd never met. They'll get to meet this week when Heather delivers two keynote addresses for their banquets (Thursday in Whitesboro, Friday in Vernon).
CareNet is a pro-life organization that provides free and confidential services to women in crisis pregnancy situations.
Amy Huber, exuctive director of First Choice, heard Heather speak at CareNet's national convention last year, and contacted Ambassador Speakers Bureau to get Heather out to New Jersey for their annual banquet. Heather will speak tonight at a fundraising banquet for this Christian, pro-life ministry supporting women in crisis pregnancy situations. They have served the community since 1985, and have offices in Morristown, Montclair, and Jersey City.
Patrick Rivest attended a pregnancy center banquet in southern Indiana in anticipation of the banquet he would hold for his own pregnancy center, First Choice for Women, a few counties away. After hearing Heather speak there, he promptly invited her to speak at his own banquet.
Heather has spoken all over the country and overseas, but this event will be only a short distance from her home. What a thrill to minister in her own community.
Three years ago, Heather moved across the country with her four kids, one dog, two cats, and a bearded dragon to marry the love of her life. A few weeks later, a crew from Aspiring Women interviewed Heather in the Wilson's new home to share the story of Heather's journey from rape to restoration. That show will air again this week—and Heather wonders if the extreme stress and bliss of the times will be evident to the viewer.
Not much has changed since then, by the way (except maybe the stress). Heather is still blissfully happy and all the more delighted to give testimony to the transformational love of God.
Heather's agency, Ambassador Speakers Bureau, connected her with a prominent Pregnancy Crisis Center in Colorado. The Alpha Center is a Christian medical clinic that provides support, education, and counsel to individuals facing decisions about sexuality, relationship, and pregnancy issues. They have served the Larimer County area since 1985, and are uniquely qualified and experienced to understand what their clients are going through.
Heather will be joining them to present her testimony as the keynote address for the annual fundraising banquet.
After speaking for a church in Windsor last year, Heather was delighted to meet Judy Brown of the Sun Parlour Pregnancy Resource Centre (also Windsor). Judy is clearly passionate about her cause, and Heather was glad to discuss with her the possibility of joining in ministry together. The time has finally come. Heather will be speaking at two events Judy set up—a fundraising banquet for the Centre and community event to Celebrate Women.
A baptist church in the southeast corner of Indiana started a small crisis pregnancy center in their local area, the only center in their county to offer practical help and loving support to those facing an unplanned pregnancy. Choices for Women is now hosting a full-scale fundraising banquet, and has asked Heather to join them as their keynote speaker.
Heather oldest son (Antoine ... otherwise knows as Deshawn) swore in this morning, promising to serve his country with the USAF. He will be shipped out this afternoon to Texas where he will begin boot camp.
It is an exciting time of change and anticipation for his family (wife, Lauren and son, Zane), though the next few months will be trying for them as they are living away from each other. Please keep them in your prayers.
Last spring a small film crew from the Netherlands interviewed Heather, her family, and her friends to create a stellar documentary retelling Heather's story of rape to restoration.
Tonight Evangelische Omroep (EO) was awarded the Silver Crown Award in the category of documentaries under $50,000 by International Christian Visual Media (ICMV) for this work, entitled "Beauty out of Terror"—a very high and much deserved honor.
Many congratulations to Willem Van Schaaijk and Herman Haan for their excellent, compassionate, and godly work.
see documentary (viewing instructions are in Dutch: choose either Windows Media Player or Real Player and then choose "Snelle internetverbinding")
Christian publishers, authors, and musicians gather every summer to strut their feathers for retailers, to network, and to learn how to improve their professional skills. It's an exciting time to reconnect with colleagues, to meet artists and authors, and to be encouraged to keep up the good work.
Heather will attend just a couple days of the event this year, primarily so she can do a book signing for her latest book in her youth fiction adventure series, Lydia Barnes and the Escape from Shark Bay. Other highlights include a breakfast with the Academy of Christian Editors (ACE), a banquet with the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), and a tea with the Pearl Girls.
Heather's seventeen-year-old son Chad joined a team from Fall Creek Wesleyan Church who headed out to Waterloo, Iowa this morning to help flood victims.
World Hope International initiated the help efforts, asking churches around the country to respond. According to WH's web site, "Waterloo, Iowa, is ... at the heart of the massive floods. FEMA estimates that as many as 20,000 residents have been displaced in the community. The long-term effects from these floods could exceed Hurricane Katrina in recovery cost and will undoubtedly require significant long-term rebuilding effort."
Larry's son, Lance Cpl. Uriah Wilson, is serving in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. He won't be giving Larry a father's day gift today... or even a phonecall.
Instead, he'll be wiping sand from his face as he carries his rifle on enemy ground. The Herald Bulletin quotes Larry saying, "I’ll think about it; I’ll miss him." But what they don't know is that Larry has complete faith that his son is right where he is supposed to be and that the Almighty Father is watching over both of them.
Heather acquired a powerful heritage by marrying into the Wilson family. Larry's father and uncle are both giants in The Wesleyan Church—men who are deeply loved and respected by those they have ministered to and with over the past 50 years.
Larry's father Dr. Norman G. Wilson has been The Wesleyan Hour preacher for 33 years, and has influenced millions of lives through this ministry. Dr. Earle L. Wilson, Larry's uncle,
has been a General Superintendent of the Church, and has helped shape the Wesleyan movement.
Today
the brothers officially retired from service, but their lasting impact carries on.
The third book in Heather's youth fiction series staring Lydia Barnes is now available.
"I love Lydia," Heather often says. "I wish I could join her on all her adventures." Lydia does find herself in many crazy situations as she travels the world, bumping into world issues that broaden her social awareness.
In this book, she and her best buddy Ben enjoy the (forced) hospitality of a luxurious Jamaican resort as they make friends with the Jamaicans and enemies with their host. Action packed and thrilling, this book surprises you with emotional moments that help you to consider your own faith and how you live it out.
Howard Conder is the co-founder of Revelation TV, a Christian station in London, England.
He will be interviewing Heather and Larry live tonight and inviting guests to call in.
Heather's husband, Lawrence W. Wilson, launched a blog dedicated to encouraging people in daily Bible reading. Today is the first day of the summer reading program, in which he challenges folks to read the entire New Testament this season. He has set up a unique and meaninful reading plan, and he blogs daily to support the message.
"Sure, I'd love for people to read the Bible," Wilson says, "and maybe even post comments on the blog. But mosty I just want to see people living out what they read."
It's not too late to join in.
"Don't worry if you start late or miss a few days," Wilson advises. "The important thing is what you do today. Right now."
Both John Hall and Stephanie Fraschetti have vast radio experience. Listeners know John as the WORD-FM morning host for the past eight years, while Stephanie co-hosted a popular morning show in Pittsburgh for four years. Together, John and Stephanie use their experience to bring the best in afternoon talk to WORD-FM listeners.
Bill Feltner, whose daily interviews are with stimulating guests from all walks of life and Christian endeavor, has invited Heather to join him on his radio talk show—His People.
Join them in thinking through deep issues of faith so that you may be encouraged to walk boldly with God.
The church is often accused of being irrelevant; but Heather makes the case for the church being not only relevant, but also a critical instrument to healing.
"We can blame the church for many things, I suppose," she writes in her Christianity Today article entitled Calling on the Saints. "But if we are faithful to give to it as much as we receive from it, we'll find this community of saints to be a source of astonishing beauty."
Jim Lyon was called away to Ireland on short notice, and he called Heather to fill his shoes this Sunday. They're some mighty big shoes, as Jim is senior pastor at Madison Park Church of God, the leading congregation in Anderson, Indiana, and one of the true megachurches in suburban Indianapolis.
Heather will be sharing her story in both morning services with some 2,200 worshipers. Her prayer is that people will be inspired to hope and will see God's power at work even in their times of greatest weakness.
As the weather gets colder, the presidential race gets hotter as a new Rupublican leader arises. Mike Huckabee, who began as a niche candidate backed primarily by evangelicals, has proven himself relevant to a broader audience and is now tied with Rudy Guliano as the top Republican candidate.
Heather Gemmen Wilson first came to notice this candidate when her son Simon, an 8th grader, called him to her attention. Simon liked Huckabee for his name, so Heather did a little research to try to prove to her son that you can't judge a book by it's cover. The research, however, proved that this guy was as good as his name. Huckabee is smart, funny, and most importantly, godly in his political views.
"He's a leader I can follow," says Heather. It didn't take long for her to jump on board the Huckabee campaign. "I'm willing to volunteer my time to help get the right president in office."
Over 5000 runners braved the cold Thanksgiving Day weather to return thanks with their feet. They pounded the pavement before their turkey dinner so that others in Indianapolis could also enjoy a warm meal and shelter.
"The Drumstick Dash has quickly become a popular Thanksgiving Day tradition. In five years it's grown to include more than 5,000 people with all the money raised going to the Wheeler Mission," writes Mary Milz of Eye Witness News.
The tradition has caught on with the Wilson family. Heather Gemmen Wilson, three of her kids, her sister-in-law Dena, and her nephew Riis participated in the event. "And we'll be back next year for sure," Heather says. "Maybe next year I'll even run."
"Our strategy? To give our conferees value," says Lawrence W. Wilson, director of the Wesleyan Christian Writers' Workshop in Fishers, Indiana. The day and a half conference, held at the headquarters of The Wesleyan Church, saw a rise in enrollment from approximately 60 the first year, to 150 this year. WCWW 2007 boasted keynoters Alan Nelson, the executive editor of Rev! Magazine, and Dr. Dennis Hensley, professor of English at Taylor University. The faculty included an acquisitions editor from Waterbrook Press, a Division of Random House, the managing editor from Jerry B. Jenkins' Christian Writers Guild, and bestselling author Heather Gemmen Wilson, plus numerous other industry professionals. Workshop topics, among many, included How to Get Published, Advanced Writer Seminar, Crafting Winning Proposals, and Ten Ways to Improve Your Fiction Manuscript.
"Part of the vision of The Church is to equip leaders," says Wilson, "and the annual writers' workshop is one way we can do that well. I'm pleased to see so many people responding."
When the host of NPR's "Political Junkie" invited those who had spoken with a presidential candidate to call in, Heather complied. Sam Brownback had sought her out a few months ago to hear her story—he wanted "texture" on the issue of abortion in the case of rape, talking to real people rather than just discussing cold policies.
"I was impressed by that call," Heather said on air, "not only because I could brag about my daughter to a potential President of the United States, but because it showed me that Sam Brownback desires to be informed about his beliefs."
"More Than 400 Hear Speaker Tell Of Rape, Rebirth Of Hope," reported Hannah Northey where Heather spoke at the annual banquet of the Harrisonburg Pregnancy Center. (See article.) Folks at the banquet received encouragement to believe the promises of God even when he seems distant; but some readers of the arcticle did not see hope—they focused on potential problems of the delicate situation.
The truth is that God can, and does, make ugly situations beautiful. The question is, can we open our eyes to see it?
Heather (Hiemstra) grew up near London, Ontario, on a hobby farm where she hiked through corn fields with her faithful collie, swam in a water hole with the ducks, and shoveled manure in pig pens. She is the youngest of five children born to her Dutch immigrant parents, and she also had numerous foster brothers and sisters who made her life very rich. Her parents are godly people who remain strong role models of the faith for her.
Heather moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend Calvin College as a young adult and graduated with two degrees—a BA and an MRS—four years later. After graduation, she did editorial work for Zondervan Publishing House.
The Gemmens had two boys together, adopted another, and welcomed their baby girl into the family (see Startling Beauty for more). After ten years living and working in the inner city, the mountains of Colorado began to call their names. The Gemmens relocated to Colorado Springs where Heather took a job at Cook Communications as an acquisitions editor. She began her writing career by authoring children’s books and she continues to make editing and writing her livelihood today. In 2004 Heather began working from home—writing and editing for various Christian publishing houses.
After almost fifteen years together, much to Heather's shock and dismay, the marriage disolved when her husband informed her he was leaving. The divorce left Heather devastated. Rejected and afraid, she felt as though she had failed God, her kids, and her ministry. God, however, offers his wonderful restorative love to everyone, and Heather clung to it. The Psalms became her refuge—and she discovered for herself how those powerful words restore life.
While attending a writers’ conference in Florida as the keynote speaker in the spring of 2005, Heather met Larry Wilson, an author and editor from Indiana who was also faculty. They began chatting professionally and soon discovered they had much in common personally as well—and five months later they married (view wedding album). Heather and her four kids moved to Indiana, to join Larry and his two children.
In Indiana, Heather's oldest son married and had a child, making her a proud grandmother (view family album).
To rest in Christ’s love
so that I may be filled with the Spirit
and bear his fruit;
to be motivated by biblical principles,
and to act on them;
to look beyond my own perspective;
to be humble before God and people.
As the weather gets colder, the presidential race gets hotter as a new Rupublican leader arises. Mike Huckabee, who began as a niche candidate backed primarily by evangelicals, has proven himself relevant to a broader audience and is now tied with Rudy Guliano as the top Republican candidate.
Heather (Hiemstra) grew up near London, Ontario, on a hobby farm where she hiked through corn fields with her faithful collie, swam in a water hole with the ducks, and shoveled manure in pig pens. She is the youngest of five children born to her Dutch immigrant parents, and she also had numerous foster brothers and sisters who made her life very rich. Her parents are godly people who remain strong role models of the faith for her.