Written by Ben Cox– Heartland Church sits at the foot of the hill on Highway 279, just past the Lake Dam Road. An unassuming building, it looks like most churches should to the mind’s eye: parking lot, cross out front, and a steeple on top. Inside the building, however, is another story.
Pastor Jason Studdard is a man who is first and foremost passionate. As you sit with him and his wife, Jodie, who manages the church, one thing is abundantly clear: they love Jesus.
The warmth of their smiles and friendliness of their spirit radiate from within like the fountain that bubbles behind them in the foyer. A former Marine, with a shaved head, long beard and a Harley Davidson patch on his denim vest, one could be forgiven for thinking that Pastor Studdard is a gruff individual.
That illusion is dismissed immediately when you are within reach of a handshake or a hug. His eyes recede behind cheeks that seem perpetually raised by a gigantic smile.
Heartland Church had been in the area for over 25 years when Jason and Jodie came back to Brownwood and began serving as worship leaders on Sundays. Former professional musicians, they still play in the praise band.
Almost three years ago the couple became the resident pastors of Heartland Church. “What people know as Heartland Church, that’s when it began,” according to Studdard.
Pastor Ken and Miss Dawn, as Jason lovingly refers to them, remain Senior Pastors of the church and are still actively involved in the ministry. Their primary focus is The Feed Store church in Santa Anna, founded by Heartland Church. However, all decisions with some financial exceptions, are in the hands of Jason and Jodie.
At the worship service on Sunday mornings you can find Studdard in jeans and a motorcycle T-shirt, or a suit and tie if the occasion calls for it. Likewise, the music can range from bluesy gospel, to the inclusion of secular music up to and including a Van Halen or Doobie brothers song.
The church is affiliated with Kenneth Hagin Ministries of Oklahoma, and is part of the Rhema (pronounced Ray-muh) Bible Church movement.
Studdard says that the crux of the church’s ministry is “the Love of God. That is what we are rooted in, that’s what were anchored in, because that’s what the Word of God tells us to be anchored in.”
The church’s youth group meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the building behind the church, Sunday morning services are at 10:30 a.m. with children’s church happening at the same time. A Pre-Service Prayer is held at 9:30 a.m. The church can be contacted via their Facebook Page.
