The Midwest Regional Church Planting Team is made up of a bunch of wise Church Planters who have been around the block a time or two! They are an incredible resource and would love to chat with you more about Church Planting.

Our Team

Michael and Brenda Gatlin, Regional Church Planting Coordinators
Duluth Vineyard, Duluth, MN
Michael and Brenda co-pastor the Duluth Vineyard and enjoy spending lots of time with potential church planters. They have a wealth of experiences with planting and have been involved in over 6 church plants personally. They have helped plant and coach church planters all over the country.
Email Michael or Brenda

Heather Maruska, Regional Church Planting Coordinators' Assistant
Duluth Vineyard, Duluth, MN
Heather and her husband Jon have called the Duluth Vineyard home since December 2005. She joined the Vineyard staff in the fall of 2008 as the Office Manager and has now moved into the position of administrative assistant to Michael Gatlin & Casey LaCore.  She loves gardening, art, good books and playing along the shore of Lake Superior reveling in the beauty  that God displays through nature . You can contact her with all your administrative church planting needs at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jeff and Le Que Heidkamp
Mercy Vineyard, Minneapolis, MN
Jeff and Q pastor the Mercy Vineyard in Minneapolis. They planted from the Champaign Vineyard, with a team of 11 folks in 2004. They have a passion to build a large multi-ethnic church planting church that extends the kingdom of God in the Minneapolis and the surrounding areas.
Email Jeff or Le Que

Hillside Community Church, Duluth, MN
In the winter of 2001, God placed a specific vision in the hearts of a few people: to gather and plant a church in the heart of Duluth - an area called "The Hillside."  Hillside Church was born on Easter Sunday ,2001. Since then, hundreds have given their lives over to Jesus and experienced God in a powerful way. Ryan and his wife Krista are passionate about seeing people experience the Living God in a powerful way. Email Ryan

Rand Tucker
Hydepark Vineyard Church, Duluth, MN
Rand Tucker moved to Hyde Park to partner with a group of college students to start the Hyde Park Vineyard Church.  Rand and his wife Almee are both fully committed to following and serving Jesus and ministering to  the people of Hyde Park Vineyard so that they to will grow in their relationship with Jesus. Rand's personal mission statement for ministry is "to expand God's Kingdom through starting new churches and new ministries withing the church, to equip God's people and leaders for life and ministry, and to expose God's word through preaching and teaching. Email Rand