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Founding Team
Heritage Covenant Church is led by Jeremy Lyerla, Founder and Mission Lead, whose vision is to build a vibrant, Christ-centered community rooted in the Reformed faith and guided by the principles of God’s Word. As we plant this church, we will establish a temporary founding team to lead and support the initial development of our ministry. This team plays a vital role in organizing and laying the groundwork for our mission. Once the church is established, we will begin the process of identifying and training elders who will lead the church in a biblically faithful manner. Prospective elders will undergo a rigorous elder training program, followed by a corporate nomination process and confirmation to ensure they meet the biblical qualifications for eldership. This intentional approach ensures that Heritage Covenant Church remains grounded in Scripture and led by shepherds dedicated to serving the body of Christ.
About Jeremy Lyerla
Founder & Mission lead
Jeremy Lyerla brings extensive experience in church planting and leadership, having served as a missionary in Albania and Russia, where he helped establish churches and witnessed the transformative power of community through hospitality and the Means of Grace. In the USA, Jeremy has continued this mission, planting churches with a vision for a God-centered, Reformed community.
With a background in management and leadership, theological training from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and his ongoing pursuit of a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Jeremy is passionate about building a church rooted in historic Protestant faith while looking toward the future. His vision is to create a community where lives are transformed through the Word and Sacraments, where families are equipped for discipleship, and where believers live out their faith in all areas of life. His mission focuses on nurturing spiritual growth through intentional relationships, in-depth studies, and the regular practice of hospitality, with a commitment to both local and global missions.
Central to Jeremy’s philosophy of ministry is his commitment to raising up leadership to co-lead the church in the spirit of biblical eldership. He believes in the importance of equipping qualified leaders who share the church's vision and values, providing them with robust training and mentorship to prepare them for the responsibility of shepherding God’s people. Jeremy views collaboration among elders as essential, reflecting the New Testament model of shared leadership under Christ, the Head of the Church. This commitment to collaboration ensures that decisions are guided by collective wisdom, accountability, and a shared passion for serving the body of Christ.
Jeremy's unique blend of missionary experience, theological education, leadership development, and collaborative approach has shaped his conviction that the church must stand firm on sound theology in a culture increasingly marked by hyper-individualism. He believes the church’s future lies in recovering the rich heritage of faith passed down through the Reformation and building communities that reflect Christ’s love and truth. His leadership is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, intergenerational church that equips believers to impact families, vocations, and communities with the gospel.
