“I love the close-knit aspect of the community. Christ was involved in the communities He was in and visited. That takes time and effort to be able to gain people’s trust to build those bridges to them to even have the opportunity to do ministry.”

Pastor Tyler Ewer

The earliest Baptist churches began in Holland in the early 1600s under the leadership of varied pastors, including John Smyth and Thomas Helwys.  Roger Williams, founder of the state of Rhode Island, began the first Baptist Church in America in 1638. It was founded in what is now Providence, Rhode Island.  Established in 2009, Heritage Baptist Church is an independent Baptist Church nestled in the heart of Stanley. It adheres to the distinctives that they have recognized that Christ gave the Church through the Bible to operate decently, in good order and to be well-pleasing to God and to glorify Him. They express their faith in Christ and commitment to Him in two ordinances.  The first, they believe in water baptism by immersion which is an outward expression of an inward faith that one has believed on Christ, and He has cleansed them from their sins by His Death, Burial and Resurrection to live a new life in Him.  And the second ordinance is Communion, which is a remembrance that Christ died once for all for our sins so that we may live increasingly apart from sin. The Bible tells us that in Communion we show the Lord’s Death till He comes. (1 Peter 3:18, 1 Cor. 1:2) Heritage Baptist Church feels the call to exalt God by living apart from the sin they were saved from in the strength of their eternal position in Christ through God’s Grace. The mission of the Church is to chiefly love God and then others.  They cherish the opportunity to share His Love and free gift of Salvation with others. (John 3:16-17)

Pastor Tyler Ewer has been serving as the full time Pastor of the Heritage Baptist Church for 12 years. He has a degree in business management from Mt. Scenario College and in 2011, he received his master’s degree in English Bible from Maranatha Baptist Seminary. Pastor Ewer grew up in Ladysmith, WI and lived there until he was 21 years old, when he met his wife, Kori, who he feels is essential to his life. “Kori is an invaluable partner with me in the ministry and an amazing Pastor’s wife and mother,” Pastor Ewer expresses. He goes on, “We challenge each other to grow in Christ and have striven to nurture and raise our children in the instruction of the LORD.” (Eph. 6:4) Together they have six children, Jaidyn (22), Jenna (20), Jessi (17), Dawson (15), Landon (13) and Jordy (6).

 Pastor Ewer didn’t begin his pastoral career immediately, but he did identify the giftedness and the desire to preach at a young age.  He was slowly led to the ministry, not becoming a pastor until he was in his mid-thirties.  “I came about it a little later in life,” he discloses. Heritage Baptist believes that pastors or “under-shepherds to Christ” are equipped by Christ to instruct believers in Scriptures unto spiritual maturity. Having led Heritage Baptist Church for many years, Pastor Ewer has had the opportunity to observe and know them. Seeing their spiritual growth pertaining to spiritual maturity in Christlikeness achieved through Scripture is one of the most encouraging things about his congregation. He explains, “What I enjoy the most about them is the love that they have for one another and just seeing that love through the years growing. To see the fruitful spiritual growth in them, and it’s not always discernible in short little moments of time, but over the course of years. When you are able to look back, you see that growth over the years, that’s what’s exciting.”

Currently, pastors in Church ministry face many challenges, including criticism, time management, health issues, and financial struggles. Pastor Ewer discusses the biggest challenge facing him as a pastor.  “The biggest challenge is to make sure that what I’m teaching the congregation is relevant to their lives and not making things merely academic but making sure that it’s touching their heart,” he describes. Having his sons involved in sports at the Stanley school, interacting with other families and living life together has helped Pastor Ewer feel a part of the Stanley community. “I love the close-knit aspect of the community. Christ was involved in the communities He was in and visited.” He continues, “That takes time and effort to be able to gain people’s trust to build those bridges to them to even have the opportunity to do ministry.”

Pastor Ewer understands the hardships facing Christians in this present time. “A big challenge facing Christians is making sure that they are staying closely tied to the Truth of the Word of God. It’s always a challenge to be salt and light,” he expounds.  And then adds, “The biggest challenge is to stand on Christian principles.” One way to do that is to attend Church services where Heritage Baptist believes that believers mutually nurture each other in the character of Christ for a growing relationship with Him to produce spiritual fruit for a strong Biblical fellowship. 

Heritage Baptist Church believes that the Bible was given from God by the Holy Spirit and that it reveals to us the truth of who God is and His Will for us so we can have a relationship with Him. It is their authority for faith and practice. (2 Timothy 1:5) While the Book of Daniel is a personal favorite of his for its prophecy, Pastor Ewer’s favorite books of the Bible are 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. He explains, “The reason why is because it is a book that is written to a pastor as to how to shepherd God’s flock. It shows the heart of the under shepherd to do things well, to be well pleasing to the Lord and to glorify him in taking that role seriously.” Pastor Ewer enumerates, “I also like the Book of John because it very clearly teaches on the Deity of Christ and how He is our Savior. That’s one book I tell people, if they are just doubting or they’re trying to figure out where they fit in life, just read the Book of John.”

Services at Heritage Baptist Church are Sunday mornings at 9:00 am with Sunday School at 10:30 am and Wednesday night services begin at 7:00 pm. The worship music at Heritage Baptist Church is traditional, comprising of hymns and some choruses. 

For more information on Heritage Baptist Church and their doctrines, contact the office at 715-644-2382. You can also visit their website at hbc.com or follow them on Facebook at Heritage Baptist Church.