Paul Fries is our Lead Pastor. He is originally from Richland County, Wisconsin where he was raised with his 7 brothers and sisters on a dairy farm. After high school graduation he joined the Air Force. Upon his retirement, with 20 years service, he entered full-time ministry. He graduated from Florida Baptist Theological College (now The Baptist College of Florida) with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. He also attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he did additional graduate level work. Previous to his becoming the Lead Pastor here at Heartland he was a Director of Missions in Bonifay, Florida. He has also served as a pastor in Florida and Missouri.

Paul has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1975 and they have three grown children. Micah is married to Tracy and along with Paul’s granddaughters Sarah Grace and Kessed, they reside in St. Joseph, Missouri where Micah is Senior Pastor of Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church. Jared is married to Tammi and resides in Johnson City, TN. Rebekah is presently working as an Admissions Counselor at The Baptist College of Florida and resides in Graceville, Florida.