|
August 21, 2025 I knew Alan & Barb Heidecker in the early '90s when we attended the same church on Sunday mornings. This was before New Hope E. Free Church was officially organized, with no regular church services. Our relationship started off as very casual; a “Hi! How are you doing?" and a “Goodbye” kind of relationship. In 1993, seven families began organizing the infant New Hope Evangelical Free Church located in Orange City, Iowa. I believe Alan and Barb played a key role in the new church development and growth. Even though our families were not that close, we were undoubtedly partners working together for the betterment of the new church body and organization that emphasized God's love and grace. Alan and Barb were proud charter members of the New Hope Evangelical Free Church. Alan was also a faithful and talented singer on the weekly worship team. In the early church years, another thing that stood out was the outstanding hospitality of Alan and Barb. They hosted numerous Sunday lunches at their home in Sioux Center after the church Sunday services. The strategy was to invite new families that had attended the service, along with other current regular members present, thus encouraging the new attendees to come back to the service the following Sunday. This term may be overused, but I believe that the Heideckers were the “hands and feet of Jesus”. It was a good plan that worked, and the hospitality should be awarded a heavenly reward!😊 As the church attendance grew, another hospitality event which evolved, orchestrated by Alan and Barb (and other members), was a large group of church members meeting for lunch, after the church service, at the local Pizza Hut (Orange City location, now closed). I believe the church growth could be attributed to excellent preaching, evangelization, good food, and friendly people. Another area was Alan and Barb’s work and dedication to the yearly Christmas programs for the church youth. In the early years of the church, it became a memorable event that took a large amount of their personal time to plan and direct the program. Many other church attendees participated in the program, with the Heideckers helping or leading the way. As the church was being nurtured, in the early years, once, Alan and I needed to attend a meeting at Pastor Arlyn Abrams' office at Beresford, in South Dakota. (Arlyn Abrams was our first pastor). I believe it was a Saturday afternoon (because Alan and I both worked fulltime day jobs). We were using the Heideckers' car. Alan was driving, and we were headed south of Sioux Center on highway 75. There was no traffic in front or behind us, but Alan suddenly hit the brakes, and stopped in the emergency lane of the highway. Surprised, I asked Alan what was wrong, and he replied, “Bird”. A bird was sitting on the highline wire near the highway. I asked why that was important. Alan then explained he was a member of the National Audubon Society and needed to document the location, time, and species. After a short stop, we were back on the road to attend the meeting. Alan took his Audubon membership seriously... just as he did with his family and church responsibilities. Alan and Barb Heidecker symbolized an example of us being “the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden..."(Matthew 5:13-16). Thank you Alan and Barb for your exemplary Christian life style. Rest in peace, as we wait for our Lord's return! My condolences to the Heidecker family. May the Almighty comfort and be with you during this time of grief. Elmer (Bud) Baumgart Jr. (Charter member of the New
Hope Evangelical Free Church, Orange City, IA) |