When we founded Heartland in 1998, our heart was to re-engage our friends who had drifted from the church. We wanted to help them and other spiritual seekers become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ because we believe that following Jesus is the only way to experience life at its best. Now, more than 10 years later, we are still in awe at what God is doing.
Sometimes you’ll hear us refer to Heartland as an “Acts 2 church.” For us, that means courageous leaders, gifted teachers and devoted followers working together in an innovative, biblically functioning community to create defining moments—moments that inspire us, motivate us and mobilize us. People who are seeking to make changes in their life and others who have found a fresh faith find that Heartland is a safe environment where they can encounter truth and love.
Our desire is that people will discover what they were made for so they can acknowledge, accept, and act on God's leading in every area of their lives.
We believe that by providing transformational teaching about the Bible along with transformational worship and community, people will find meaning and inspiration for life. It ignites a passion for Christ and His cause and changes the trajectory of their lives. They become hope-filled. They experience remarkable ways to seek and follow God. And they re-discover life.
Shining for Him,
Mark Bankord Doug Thiesen
Directional Leader Lead Pastor
Weekend Experience
Heartland is a biblically functioning community where you will encounter truth and love in a casual setting. Over the years, thousands of people have experienced remarkable ways to seek and follow God and change the trajectory of their lives.
Each weekend experience is about an hour and ten minutes. There’s worship music, artistic elements including drama and video and practical biblical teaching. Teaching Pastor Mike Breaux and members of the Heartland Teaching Team provide transformational teaching that applies to your everyday life.
Dress casually. Everybody does. Take a look around. There are married couples, singles, young people, older people, professionals, laborers, stay-at-home moms…thousands of people come to Heartland every weekend. Each has a unique life story, just like you do. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you’re welcome to come and check out what God is doing at Heartland.
We love kids! And we want every child to know that God made them, God loves them and Jesus wants to be their friend forever. The Launch staff is passionate about launching kids into a relationship with Jesus through teaching, worship, and small groups. Rooms, environments, and experiences are designed for each age group, infants through 5th grade.
Every volunteer goes through a Child Protection screening to ensure your child’s safety, and a trained Observation Team provides a secure environment.
Check-in for first-time visitors is at “Command Central”. Volunteers are there to help you feel at ease and answer any questions you may have.
Genesis is for junior high students and helps them begin to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through a fun and high-energy experience. Genesis meets Wednesday nights for worship, teaching, small groups and time to just “hang out” together.
Junior high students at Heartland: Sun Prairie get together on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to experience Engage. There’s live music, drama, and teaching geared to the junior high mind. They learn a lot and have a lot of fun doing it.
Alpha is for high school students in grades 9 and 10. Live music, creative teaching and small groups provide students with a place to experience God through relevant teaching and authentic, life-transforming community. Alpha meets Wednesday nights at Heartland at 7:00 p.m.
Delta is a place where students grades 11 and 12 can learn who they are in Christ, own their own faith, make wise decisions, live on purpose and know life is not just about them through life-changing teaching, worship and community. Delta also meets Wednesday nights at Heartland at 7:00 p.m.
Delta in Heartland: Sun Prairie is for 9-12 grades and meets at 6:30 p.m.
Heartland:PM engages college students and twenty-somethings into the process of discovering how to live life intentionally, find valuable friendships, make sense of all the noise and understand who and what God designed them to be. Heartland:PM meets Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
Visit heartlandpm.com to learn more.
| Come As You Are
People consistently say that Heartland is a friendly, welcoming place. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you are always welcome. |
What To Wear
Be comfortable. Most people dress very casual. Jeans, shorts, business casual are all very appropriate. |
| No Expectations
If you’re a first-time visitor or just checking out Heartland, you won’t be expected to participate in our weekly offering. Be our guest. |
Kids At Heartland
Launch - Kids@Heartland is divided by age group. Each room is set up with your child in mind to maximize their experience! Heartland wants this to be the best hour of their week! While you enjoy a worship service designed for you, your children will enjoy an experience designed just for them. Whether you have an infant or a 5th grader or both, we’d love to meet your kids. |
| Check-In for Heartland's Childrens Ministry, Launch
For children ages birth to 5th grade, we have an automated check-in system. This ensures your children are safe, secure and accounted for. Just step up to the registration stations at the entrance to Launch for easy check in. If you’re needed during a service, your I.D. number will appear on the main screens. You’re just seconds away. |
The Weekend Experience
Come to any of the weekend experiences: |
| Have a Cup of Coffee
If you’d like a cup, there are kiosks located throughout the Atrium. Meg’s Daily Grind is open before, during and after the weekend experiences as well as throughout the week. You are welcome to bring beverages into the Auditorium with you, with a lid of course. |
Take the Message Home With You
At Journey…Books & Music you can purchase a copy of the message on CD to share with a friend or just listen to again. Several series are also on DVD. There are plenty of resources you can use no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. |
| Questions?
The Information Center is open before and after each weekend experience at all locations. And you can always call the office at 815-395-8000 Monday through Friday or use the Contact Us link on the Campus pages to get the info you need. |
Where to Park
If you’re coming to Heartland and have children with you, it’s easiest to use the main entrance on the south end of Heartland. If you don’t have kids with you, enter through the main entrance or through the entrance on the north side of the mall. You can even enter through the east side entrance during non-summer months. |
