CREATING A LEGACY

When Coach Heimer steps onto the football field, the linebackers of Normal Community’s Varsity team know the rumors.  Coach Heimer is one of the most fun and fiery coaches on the staff.  Coach Heimer loves to strategize and compete.  Coach Heimer is serious about teamwork and integrity.
Coach Heimer is creating a legacy.
It’s a legacy that began on a hog farm out in Colfax.  When Casey (as Coach Heimer was known in those days) began high school, he knew that teaching and coaching were on the horizon.  His love for sports was fused with solid experiences as a multisport athlete at Ridgeview High School before becoming a Heartland Hawk.
After two years of community college, he transferred his avion loyalties over to the local Redbirds and sprinted through the School of Education’s PDS program (a yearlong student teaching experience that allows emerging teachers to see an entire year in the classroom).
Along the way, God’s grace transformed Casey’s heart.  A campus ministry provided him with a tangible experience of the gospel.  The good news of his salvation propelled him into an active leadership role within the ministry.  After being faithful in serving as a student leader, Casey was asked to join the staff of that ministry and set his teaching and coaching career aside.
At the time, it seemed like the God-ordained path for his life.  Being a pastor in the ministry that changed his life was one of the most appealing offers before him.  But after a few months on the ministry staff, he started to feel out of place.
The next few months were hard as the transition from student leader to staff member took it’s toll.  The joy and life so evident in Casey as a student was being syphoned away.  Slowly but surely, the ministry job was killing his soul.
After a tough year in ministry, Casey was not asked to return to the ministry staff.  Instead, he was encouraged to return to teaching and to deploy his gifts in the education system.
God was quick to open the door to multiple schools in His efforts to draw Casey back into education.  As an elementary school teach erby day, Mr. Heimer is actively igniting a joy for learning in the hearts of nine and ten year olds.
But, by night, he is Coach Heimer, a legend in the making.  Only time will tell all that God has planned for this extraordinary example of faith and work.
HEAR MORE

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE TOILET

Andrew Mueller

Construction sites are no place for soft hands, or soft speech.

Most people don’t possess the skills or tools to be their own handymen. Over the years, the trades have become a lucrative career as less and less people know electricity, heating/cooling, and plumbing. It appears that there will always be a job market for those skilled with their hands.

READ MORE

A SCHOOL YOU CAN TRUST

David LaFrance

Build relationships. Make a difference.

This is what Oakland Elementary School is doing.  This public school in Bloomington is setting the pace when it comes to relationship building in education.  They know that they are entrusted with a huge privilege and responsibility.

READ MORE

THE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT

Joni Parker

Joni did not want to be one of our “extraordinary” stories. She is convinced that she is just an ordinary person who does an ordinary job. But Joni is extremely faithful.

READ MORE

CREATING A LEGACY

Casey Heimer

When Coach Heimer steps onto the football field, the linebackers of Normal Community’s Varsity team know the rumors.  Coach Heimer is one of the most fun and fiery coaches on the staff.  Coach Heimer loves to strategize and compete.  Coach Heimer is serious about teamwork and integrity. Coach Heimer is creating a legacy...

READ MORE

WHEN DEVIATIONS LEAD TO DESTINY

Rachel Dalton

There is not a specific moment Rachel can look back to and pinpoint the moment she came to know Jesus. Her faith was simply there, an ever present anchor that she could turn to from even her earliest days. She grew up in a Christian home, and as a little girl she thought she’d wind up on the mission field or as a teacher like her parents, and set out to work towards those goals. She learned that the best opportunity for missions is to be a doctor....

READ MORE

ALL IN

Mike Somers

Mike Somers is the son of a hardworking entrepreneur, who was a constant example of what it looked like to chase hard after your goals and make your own way. When Mike was around 12 years old there was a shift in the home when his dad came to know the Lord. He began to exemplify what it looked like to be intentional with your faith in all areas of life – work included, he was all in...

READ MORE

FAITH IN EVERY SEASON

Kristin Moore

If you asked anyone who knew Kristin 10 years ago what she would be doing today, there is no doubt that the answer would involve singing. She has a God-given gift when it comes to vocals, and from the moment she graduated high school and moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University, pursuing a career in the music industry was a no brainer.

READ MORE

WORKING TOWARDS THE END GOAL

Chase Simpsen

There was never a time when Chase had to question what hard work looked like. Some of his earliest memories are of watching his dad and grandpa not only working, but enjoying it. That love of work was ingrained in him and is something he has carried through to his own career. From watching them, he learned that if you want something, you set goals and...

READ MORE

SETTLING INTO ADVENTURE

Rachel Lovejoy

Rachel has always had a bit of a restless soul. Growing up, her family moved around a lot and each new place brought its own set of adventures. This “on to the next thing” mentality has carried itself full-force through to her adult years. Since graduating high school she’s moved a total of 5 times...

READ MORE