Our Team
Ephesians 4:12
To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ
Pastors
Zeke Pipher
Pastor
Zeke has been the senior pastor at Heartland since 2005. He’s been married to Jamie since 1997, and together they have three children and a daughter-in-law. Zeke earned a Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology (2001) and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2005). Zeke is also an author and freelance outdoor writer. His most recent book, The Far Bank: 40 Devotions for Anglers was published with David C. Cook on August 5, 2025. The Piphers live in The Briar Patch (their little acreage about a mile off the Platte River). For more information about Zeke, visit zekepipher.com.
Bob Seeger
Pastor
Bob started his ministry career in 2012 at Lincoln Berean church, but came on staff at Heartland in 2023. He is married to Kaytlin and has three children.
He has a diverse background of leading teams in all areas of church operations and ministry—both in a mega and mid-sized context—but he feels most at home when he is empowering and equipping others for the work of ministry.
His educational background is in English. He has a Master’s in Creative Writing and has written a few books for his children. Currently, he is working on a Masters in Discipleship at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Travis Purkerson
Pastor
Travis has been the Worship & Counseling Pastor at Heartland since 2017. He has been married to his wife Ruth since 1991. They have six children, two son-in-laws and two daughter-in-laws. Travis holds a bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Prairie Bible Institute and a Master’s degree in Biblical Counseling from the Masters University. He is licensed with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and works as a volunteer with his wife Ruth in Standing Stone Ministry. For more information about them, visit travruth.com.
Nathan Musgrave
Pastor
Nathan and Sandy have been married since 1997, and they have four children and a son-in-law. Nathan grew up in Central City. He and Sandy then spent 14 years working for Send International, a mission organization, serving most of that time in a creative-access country in Asia. Nathan joined the Heartland staff in 2011 as Pastor of Spiritual Formation. That means that he works to encourage the church in areas of discipleship and spiritual growth: becoming apprentices of Jesus in our ordinary, day-to-day lives, as God changes us together into the character of His son Jesus, and reshapes the way we think and feel and relate to one another and the world around us.
Nathan enjoys counseling individuals who are experiencing significant challenges; he also meets weekly with people, simply to help them think through areas of spiritual growth in ordinary life.
Nathan studied missions for three years at Moody Bible Institute, then earned a B.A. from John Brown University and an M.A. from Wheaton College. He enjoys reading, woodworking, raising a small flock of sheep, and coaching his kids’ basketball teams.
Staff
Jamie Pipher
Staff
Jamie's Bio
Jamie serves as the Women’s Ministry Director at Heartland. She is married to Zeke, and they have three kids and a daughter-in-law. When she began attending Heartland in 2005, Jamie was a young wife and mom. Now she and Zeke are empty-nesters. Jamie believes that the local church is the ideal place to equip women of all ages and in every season to find what it means to live in joyful submission to Jesus and to learn to serve one another.
Levi Landrigan
Staff
Levi's Bio
Levi has served as Youth Director at Heartland since 2021, bringing a passion for discipling students and building Christ-centered community. Married with four children, he understands the importance of faith in the family. Before joining Heartland’s staff, Levi spent seven years at Timberlake Ranch Camp, where he developed leadership skills, mentored young people, and created engaging programs that encouraged spiritual growth. His heart for youth ministry is reflected in his commitment to guiding teens in their walk with God, fostering relationships, and equipping them to serve. Levi’s experience and dedication make him a trusted leader and encourager for the next generation.
Kayt Seeger
Staff
Kayt's Bio
Kayt Seeger joined the Heartland staff in August 2025. She and her husband, Bob, are proud parents to three wonderful children and two lively dogs. Kayt has served in children’s, youth, and women’s ministries, taught preschool, and worked at both Nebraska Christian and Lincoln Berean Church. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Family Science, where she studied child development, family relationships, and education. Her heart is to create a welcoming, engaging environment where kids can grow, thrive, and discover the joy of knowing Jesus.
Melody Merchant
Staff
Melody's Bio
Melody has been on staff at Heartland since the fall of 2014 in a variety of positions. Her passion is designing and communicating ways for people to get involved in the work God is doing at Heartland. She is happiest when she’s enabling the people in this community to thrive. Melody and her husband Caleb have been married since 2002 and have four children – five including their daughter-in-law. In her free time, she enjoys reading in a sunny spot or taking walks down gravel roads with her family.
Paul Beyer
Staff
Paul's Bio
Paul currently serves Heartland as the Director of Productions, Facilities, and Security. Paul has been employed at Heartland since 2017 after volunteering with youth and other roles since 2007. He’s been married to Julie since 1997, and together they have four children along with two sons-in-law and four grandchildren. Prior to Heartland, Paul was in large retail management before starting his journey to be in local law enforcement. He also worked in landscaping and real estate along the way. Paul is currently a firearms instructor and owner of an audio/video integration consulting company. For more information about Paul, visit makethemark.us.
Angie Paul
Staff
Angie's Bio
Angie has been the Bookkeeper and HR Manager at Heartland since January 2024. She is so thankful that the Lord has called her to serve the body in this position and enjoys seeing God at work here in the Heartland family in all the different ministries. She’s been married to her husband, Jon, since 2002, and together they have four children. In her free time she enjoys camping, gardening, spending time with her family, trying new recipes, and baking.
JJ Springer
Staff
JJ's Bio
Coming Soon!
Drew Schreiber
Staff
Drew's Bio
Drew Schreiber, a Central City native, serves as Chief Operations Officer at Twin Rivers Health Care in Grand Island and Hastings. He and his wife, Lydia, are the proud parents of five sons—Riley, Tucker, Mason, Oakley, and Theo.
Drew has been connected to AWANA since childhood, first as a clubber and now as Heartland’s AWANA Commander, where he provides leadership and support.
Outside of his professional and ministry roles, Drew values time with family and friends, enjoys staying active, and is an enthusiastic supporter of Creighton Bluejay basketball and Husker athletics.
Ethan Merchant
Staff
Ethan's Bio
Ethan joined the church staff in early 2025 to help create a space where ministry can thrive without distraction. He handles the unglamorous but essential details—event setup, cleaning, and whatever else keeps things moving—while also pitching in with worship, tech, and youth group. A Nebraska Christian grad (class of 2022), he and his wife, Tabitha, live in Central City with Louie, their dog who firmly believes he’s part of the staff. Ethan is thankful for a team that encourages one another’s faith and models what it means to serve God with joy, regardless of the task.
Elders
Mark McHargue
Elder
Mark's Bio
Coming Soon!
Brandon Hamer
Elder
Brandon's Bio
Coming Soon!
Tom Dockweiler
Elder
Tom's Bio
Tom Dockweiler and his wife, Sherry, have attended Heartland Evangelical Free Church since they moved to Central City in the summer of 1985. They are grateful to God for the people of Heartland and for the opportunities to minister and to be ministered to throughout the years. They are especially grateful for the many individuals who came alongside their four children, Melody, Carmen, Zachary, and Jonathan, as they matured into the women and men they have become today. All four are now married and live out of state. Tom and Sherry also have 9 grandchildren. In addition to traveling to visit children and grandchildren, Tom and Sherry enjoy their jobs, their hobbies, their friends, their family, and each other.
Tyson Ratliff
Elder
Tyson's Bio
Coming Soon!
Scott Gamblin
Elder
Scott's Bio
Coming Soon!
Zeke Pipher
Elder
Zeke's Bio
Zeke has been the senior pastor at Heartland since 2005. He’s been married to Jamie since 1997, and together they have three children and a daughter-in-law. Zeke earned a Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology (2001) and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2005). Zeke is also an author and freelance outdoor writer. His most recent book, The Far Bank: 40 Devotions for Anglers was published with David C. Cook on August 5, 2025. The Piphers live in The Briar Patch (their little acreage about a mile off the Platte River). For more information about Zeke, visit zekepipher.com.