ABOUT US

Heritage Staff

Meet the Staff at Heritage

Lead Pastor

Barry Long

Barry and Jessica have been married for 30 years and are blessed with three children, three bonus children, and four grandchildren who bring great joy to their lives. Ministry has shaped their entire adult journey, with Barry serving faithfully in volunteer ministry long before entering full-time ministry in 2001; he holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Christian Leadership from Liberty University, while Jessica serves others with compassion through her Nursing degree from Colorado Christian University. Their calling has taken them across Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, and now Kentucky, where they moved in June 2022, helping revitalize churches and plant new ministry works along the way. Their vision for Heritage is to build a strong generational ministry where every person feels needed, wanted, and equipped to use their gifts for the Kingdom of God, guided by the conviction: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Children's Pastor

Nathan Shute

After graduating from Welch College in 2026, Nathan Shute joined Heritage Church with a passion for investing in the next generation and building strong relationships with families. He is committed to creating a children’s ministry that goes beyond programs by helping children grow in their understanding of God’s Word and develop a lasting foundation of faith. Nathan has a heart for discipleship and desires to partner with parents as they lead their children spiritually in the home. His love for children, relational approach to ministry, and vision for a strong discipleship culture make him an important part of the ministry at Heritage Church.

Administrative Assistant

Andrea McCoy

Andrea McCoy and her family began attending Heritage in June 2022. She and her husband, Luke, have been married for 13 years and are blessed with two wonderful children. Together, they actively serve within the life and ministry of the church. Andrea also oversees several of Heritage’s community outreach ministries, including the Local Teacher’s Supply Closet and the School Food Bag Ministry, helping meet practical needs throughout the community.

In addition to leading these ministries, Andrea serves as the Administrative Assistant at Heritage, helping support the daily administration and organization of the church while also assisting the pastor in various areas of ministry and communication. Her heart for people, attention to detail, and servant-minded leadership make her an important part of both the staff and the overall ministry of Heritage Church.

OUR HISTORY

Heritage Free Will Baptist Church was prayed into existence on July 5, 1979. Sister Nellie Griffith donated a parcel of land for the church to be built upon.

The first service occurred in what is now the Children's Nursery on Sunday, August 17, 1980. Heritage Free Will Baptist Church joined the Bluegrass Conference in February 1981. The first service inside the Ministry Center occurred on New Year's Eve, 1982. In the early 2000s, the new Family Worship Center and Life Group rooms were constructed.

OUR MISSION

Heritage exists to Gather people into authentic community, Glorify God through worship and obedience, Give generously of our time, gifts, and resources to further the Kingdom of God, Grow through biblical discipleship, and Go into our homes, community, and world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

OUR VISION

Gather-God’s people coming together to worship, connect, and strengthen one another as we share life in community.
Glorify-Responding to God with worship, reverence, and joyful surrender
Give-Serving others through generosity, compassion, and sacrificial love
Grow-Learning to follow Jesus more faithfully as we walk with Him, deepen our faith, and are shaped into His likeness through intentional discipleship.
Go-Taking the message of Christ into our everyday world as we make disciples who guide others to walk with Christ.