Hannah Heilman: TCS Alumni On Mission For God
By Samantha DePriest
Class of 2022 Alumni Hannah Heilman first attended Trinity Christian School when she was in Pre-K. Her parents, Pastor Ben and Pastor Kami, both served as missionaries. While they traveled all around the world sharing the gospel, Hannah and her younger brother Ethan were enrolled at TCS whenever they were back in the States. Her family primarily served in Cambodia and were there for almost 8 years serving in various cities and towns.
Hannah Heilman
Hannah shares, “During my time at Trinity, I was involved in musical theater in fourth grade, and in high school in chapel worship, student council, Beta Club, and served as vice president of NHS. I also had the privilege of leading a discipleship group (D-Group) my senior year.”
The investment our teachers and coaches make into the lives of our students is invaluable. Hannah shares “I was blessed with many incredible teachers at Trinity who poured into my life and encouraged me to become who I am today. One of the most influential was Mr. Chris Pascal. He invited me to lead a D-Group my senior year, and each week, all the D-Group leaders met with him for mentoring. That investment had a huge impact on my spiritual growth and leadership.”
When asked what advice she would share with our current students, Hannah shared, “ I would say: surrender your plans to God—His ways are always better. I knew God had called me into ministry, but it wasn’t until the end of my senior year that I realized that call was to missions. Saying “yes” was difficult, but God has proven faithful every step of the way. I’d also encourage students to make the most of every ministry opportunity, whether in their local church or during college. Those experiences have shaped me deeply and helped me grow in my ministry gifts.”
After TCS, Hannah went on to attend Southeastern University in Florida and earned a degree in Missional Leadership. She has a heart for children and youth ministry and building up the indigenous church. Now she serves as an Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) Missionary Associate to Micronesia. She will be serving on the island of Pohnpei for two years working under the leadership of a veteran missionary. She will be working with the next generation as 65% of the population of Micronesia is under the age of 25. She is so excited to see how God uses her passions to minister to those in the islands of Micronesia.
The indigenous people speak a different language there. Hannah is up for the challenge and already preparing for her arrival. She shares, ‘I’ve started weekly language lessons with Gorinna, a Pohnpeian woman whose dad is an Assemblies of God pastor. She’s helping me learn basic phrases and culture before I move and she’ll keep helping once I’m on the island. I’m excited to learn!”
The calling on her life is great and God has prepared her for this next chapter. Hannah shares, “God called me into ministry at ten years old and laid the island of Guam on my heart. In my senior year of high school, God called me into missions. From here, I began going on mission trips and prayed about where God would send me. When the door opened to serve on the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia, I knew this was what God had for me. I hope to serve in missions for the rest of my life.”
The TCS family couldn’t be more excited for what God has in store for Hannah over the next two years. To join her prayer team and receive her bi-monthly newsletter, simply click the button below. This is a wonderful way for our students and families to learn more about life as a missionary and support one of our alumni in life after TCS.