Faith in Family

By Braden Delannoy ‘13

Sometimes, a school leaves a meaningful imprint on a student’s life. Other times, a student leaves a lasting impression on their alma mater.

But in certain cases, the impact goes both ways.

The combination of Orange Lutheran and the Heim family is one of those special cases.

In the midst of Orange Lutheran’s 44 years of ministry, many families of great leadership and service have shown themselves to be simultaneously impactful and impacted by their time at Orange Lutheran. Over the years, the Heim family has emerged as a testament to God-centered service and the importance of the Lancer legacy.

Currently, Director of Student Life Drew Heim ‘03, Associate Director of Counseling and College Planning Elizabeth Heim, Drew’s wife, and Assistant to the Director of Missions Jessica Heim, Drew’s cousin, make up the trio of Heims on campus. But their legacy extends well beyond just those three.

Drew’s brothers - Matt ‘01 and Jason ‘07 - and his cousins - Dave ‘02 (Jessica’s husband), Sara (Heim) Yoder ‘03, and Zach ‘05 - make up the network of Heim alumni. Drew’s parents have served on mission trips since 2009 and are current members of the Missions Leadership Team.

Before becoming an integral part of student life as a staff member, Drew spent his years at Orange Lutheran playing tennis and basketball, all while influencing his peers through Fellowship of Christian Athletes. After graduating from UC San Diego, Drew spent the majority of 2008 doing ministry work in Australia with Christian non-profit organization, Cru.

Feeling a deep vocational call to ministry, Drew came back to OLu as a substitute teacher while waiting to start seminary at Biola’s Talbot School of Theology. He quickly saw his time at OLu as an immense ministry opportunity, realizing that God was beginning to call him deeper into the lives of the students.

Drew began to step into this call by going on an Orange Lutheran mission trip to Belize in the summer of 2009. Seeing Drew’s heart and passion for following Jesus and serving students, Director of Missions Mark Maietta invited Drew onto the Missions staff where he served in a part-time capacity until 2012, and then served full-time until 2014, when he became the school’s Director of Student Life.

Through his time at Orange Lutheran, Drew has had the opportunity to make many meaningful connections with various students and colleagues.

“I love having the privilege to walk with students over a long period of time and seeing their maturity and growth,” Drew said. “OLu was so formational for me as a student, and I love that I have the opportunity day in and day out to serve our students, to walk with them in their faith journey, to do missions with them, to assist in their development as people of character and integrity, and to help point them to Jesus.”

Drew’s involvement in Missions has not only led him to realize and fulfill his calling, it also played an integral role in his marriage to his wife, Elizabeth.

During her time at OLu serving in the counseling department, Elizabeth has been a mission trip chaperone, and even traveled to places like China, India, and the Appalachian region with Drew.

“I have grown tremendously in my faith walk through my involvement with OLu Missions,” she said. “Watching our students step out in faith to share their testimony to a group of children in rural India taught me to be bold and courageous in my faith. Watching students play with special needs children in China reminded me how powerfully healing simple demonstrations of love are. And watching students work for hours digging trenches in rock hard earth in Africa gave me hope in the work ethic and drive for our future generation and in their humility to serve in any capacity needed.

“Those experiences made me realize that I am called to action as well as to be a witness for Christ in all areas of my life.”

Elizabeth has spent 12 years of her life dedicated to school counseling, a culmination of her desire “to find a way to both serve a need and work in [her] area of gifting.”

“I have absolutely seen the Lord's faithfulness in utilizing my job here at Orange Lutheran to fulfill a need and serve and work within the context of my strengths and gifting. I leave each day feeling valued and energized by my work as I serve the students and families within the Lancer community. I get to see the Lord work in and through students over a critical 4-year period in their lives and it is a privilege to play a small part in helping them grow into adulthood.”

The Missions Program brought another Heim into the Lancer family in Jessica, who is married to Drew’s cousin Dave, a Junior High Youth Leader at Friends Christian Church, who also remarked about the wonderful gift it is to travel with the students, abroad and in their faith journey.

Drew, Elizabeth, and Jessica Heim (from left)

“Getting to travel the world with students as we serve and share the Lord’s love is such a sweet gift. These trips are a such a special time to connect with students because for those few days or weeks, they are disconnected from everything that distracts them at home. Everyone is fully present with each other and we are willing to engage on deeper levels. I’ve made so many wonderful relationships with students on trips and have seen the Lord transform and change the lives of these students.”

“It is a tremendous blessing and privilege to work in a place where everyone is seeking the Lord, and that pursuit of Him and his glory is the driving force behind everything that we do,” she added. “It isn’t just a workplace -- it’s a truly unique and special community where I am encouraged, supported, and loved.”

Beyond the familial bond, Drew, Elizabeth, and Jessica have one thing in common -- their passion and love for OLu students and the Lancer family is unending and flowing deeply from their relationships with the Lord.