Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Tommy Artmann, Pastor
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Now in his eleventh year as the pastor of Heritage, Tommy came to the church in June of 2000. He holds a deep a passion for Bible study, service, missions, and outreach. As a pastor, Tommy feels a deep sense of calling to share the Gospel and love of Christ with people of every age: children, youth and adult. Having worked in youth ministry for 18 years before becoming a pastor, Tommy offers meaningful and helpful insight in to the lives of people and families in every age and stage of life, A graduate of Millsaps College and Asbury Theological Seminary, he was chosen to study in the highly selective Beeson Pastor's Program at Asbury Seminary and is a 1997 graduate of that program. Before coming to Heritage, Tommy served in ministry at FUMC in Clinton, Christ UMC in Jackson, and FUMC in Magee. The vision of Heritage closely reflects Tommy's personal life vision to be part of a Loving, Winning, Growing Community of faith. He and his wife Paula are the proud parents of three college students.
Rev. Scot Jones, Minister of Program and Outreach
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Scot's role is to help each person in the Heritage Congregation find his or her own special place of belonging and service in our church family. Scot comes to us with a wide range of ministry experiences including children's ministry, youth ministry, missions trips, community mission projects, Evangelism Explosion, and teaching high school. He has a special love for missions and has led mission trips in Cuba, Belgium, Ukraine, and Jamaica. Scot is a graduate of Mississippi State and holds a Masters of Arts in Religion and Education from Mid-America Seminary. He and his wife, Leigh Ann, have three sons. Originally from Clinton, Mississippi where he was a youth in our pastor's youth program, Scot has served several churches in Mississippi communities including Coldwater, Olive Branch, Columbus and Clinton.
Mr. J Nelson, Youth Ministry
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J joined the Heritage UMC staff in July, 2010. He is a native of Columbus, MS and graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in secondary education. From there J moved to Jackson, MS where he completed a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Wesley Biblical Seminary in 2008 while he helped start the student ministry at Wesley Chapel. He is married to Wesley and they have one little girl.
J has a passion for students and specifically the discipleship element of ministry. J enjoys Mississippi State sports, acoustic guitars, skiing (both the water and the snow..."He's not picky"), cycling, reading, and ultimate frisbee. He and Wesley also share a passion for international adoption and feel a specific pull towards the Far East.
Rev. Patrick Hutto, Overflow Worship Pastor
Patrick is currently serving Heritage as Worship Leader for the Overflow praise and worship service. He graduated from the University of Mississippi and has his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. Patrick and his wife, Lauren, have a heart for student ministry. He serves as Wesley Campus Minister at The University of Southern Mississippi. If you are a college student, join Patrick during the Sunday school hour for a chance to grow in your faith walk.
Rev. Andrew LeBlanc, Minister of Music
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Andrew joined the ministry team at Heritage in August of 2011. He is passionate about music and worship and his passion is contagious for all who get to know him. Andrew previously served Crossgates UMC in Brandon, First UMC in Corinth, as well as churches in Florida and Tennessee. In addition to his ministry as a choral conductor, he has taught on university voice faculties in Texas and Alabama. Along the way Andrew has sung leading roles with orchestras in numerous oratorios, operas, and musicals throughout the southeastern states.
Andrew is married to Sandy who is serving Main Street UMC in Hattiesburg as Children’s Minister. They have a daughter who is married with two children, and a son who is a student at University of West Florida (Pensacola) majoring in Exercise Science. Andrew enjoys cooking (Cajun food), traveling, and being a grandfather!
Mr. Wes Cameron, Music Accompanist
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Officially, Wes serves as the Heritage Church organist. Unofficially, Wes does a whole lot more. As a native of Hattiesburg who grew up at the old Broad Street Church (which relocated to become Heritage UMC), Wes has filled many a gap in his years at Heritage. In the past he has served as the Youth Choir director, Chancel Choir director, and Handbell Choir director. A graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi where he received his Master of Music degree with an emphasis in conducting, Wes currently serves on the staff of William Carey University. He is the director of the pep band, instrument ensemble, jazz combo, instructor for music technology, world music, and music literature.
Mrs. Marcia May, Music Accompanist
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Marcia came to Heritage as accompanist in January, 1996. She was born in Columbus and grew up in Florence, MS. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.A. in Piano Performance and a B.E. in Voice Education. Marcia has a deep love for the children and youth of our church and actively volunteers in our children's ministry and youth, and youth choir program. She is married to Mike May and has 4 children; 2 boys and 2 girls.
Mrs. Ann McCullen, Children's Ministry Director
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Ann McCullen began serving as our director of children's ministry in August 2010. Prior to joining the staff of Heritage, she served over ten years on the staff of a downtown United Methodist church. Throughout her membership in United Methodist churches in north Mississippi and Oak Grove, Ann has extensive experience volunteering with Confirmation, Vacation Bible School and children's Sunday school. She enjoys spending time with children, especially making crafts, having story time, and sharing laughter and smiles.
While earning her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University, Ann met her husband of 25 years, David. They are the proud parents of a teenage daughter. Ann is a long-time member of the Hattiesburg District Committee on Ministry for the United Methodist Church and is passionate about supporting missions locally and internationally.
Mrs. Edith Davis, Director of Nursery Ministries
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Edith joined our staff as Director of Nursery Ministries in February 2009. She has served as the childcare coordinator for our elementary aged children since 2007. Edith is eager to serve in this exciting, growing ministry of the church. She graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and worked as an Assistant Vice President for SunTrust Banks for many years before deciding to stay at home to take care of her children. She enjoys volunteering in our children's ministry and teaching 3 year old preschool. Edith and her husband Mike have been members of HUMC since 2004.
Mrs. Tiffany Rowell, Mom's Day Out Ministry
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Tiffany has volunteered in the nursery, Vacation Bible School, and with the Breadbasket ministry. She also serves on the Stewardship and Hospitality committees. She and her husband, Todd, have two daughters. Tiffany received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Child Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. She has worked extensively with abused children which has helped instill in her a strong desire to nurture and protect young children. She is now committed to providing a safe, loving and stimulating environment for the youngest members of Heritage.
Mrs. Lisa Cothern, Children's Ministry Assistant
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Lisa officially began her ministry with children at Heritage in August of 2000. Prior to that, she was a volunteer in Vacation Bible School and Godly Play (4&5 yr. old children's worship) for 3 1/2 years. She and her husband Robert are proud parents of three young children, who have enhanced even more her love for children. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelors degree in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Programming. She was a programmer for Magnolia Federal Bank and the Naval Oceanographic Office at Stennis Space Center for a total of three years before becoming a stay-at-home mother. She is now devoted to her family and the spiritual growth of the children of Heritage Church
Mrs. Cara Buffington, Director Weekday Preschool
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Cara has taught taught public school for 14 years, most recently at Oak Grove Lower Elementary. She is a graduate of Mississippi State University and has completed graduate courses at William Carey as well. She and her husband Cliff have 3 children, a girl and two boys. She and her family attend Parkway Heights United Methodist Church where she has been actively involved in the children's ministry. She has taught Sunday School, assisted with Vacation Bible School, and served on the preschool planning board. She feels it is a privilege to serve the precious children and families of the Heritage Preschool.
Mr. Jim Bush, Director of Finance and Facility
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Jim grew up in Hattiesburg and returned in the spring of 2006 to work at Heritage. He is an active member of the Love Sunday School class and the Prime Time Adults. He is very active in Cursillo and foreign missions and has been on medical/dental mission trips to Central America each of the last eleven years. He has participated in several Promise Keepers events including the “Stand in the Gap” rally held in Washington D.C. several years ago. Jim is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and has worked 32 years in private industry in the computer and telecommunications fields. His wife Tommie is administrative secretary at Heritage UMC, and they have two children and four granddaughters.
Mrs. Tommie Bush, Secretary
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Tommie has been church secretary since February 2006. She has been to Cursillo and has been on mission trips to Honduras and Nicaragua. She has a B.A. and M.S. degrees from USM. After teaching English/speech/drama for 25 plus years in public schools, she worked five years as on office manager before coming to Heritage as secretary. If you have questions regarding the church schedule or church events, Tommie is the person to call for assistance with your questions.
Mrs. Deanna Brent, Administrative Assistant
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A long time member of Heritage UMC for 12 years, Deanna quickly became involved in ministry to children, serving as Assistant Director of Heritage Preschool, Director of Vacation Bible School and KidsCamp, Children's Missions Coordinator, Sunday School teacher, Fun Night teacher, and Younger Elementary Choir Director. She believes that service to children is the best work of life. Deanna is a 1986 graduate of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She and her husband, Randy, have two sons.
Mr. Johnny Paul Rice, Custodian
Johnny Paul has faithfully served the congregation of Heritage Church as our custodian for over ten years. Whether it is setting up chairs for worship, tables for a church dinner, helping the preschool, or keeping the church in order, Johnny Paul is an indispensable part of the ministry team of Heritage Church. He is greatly loved by the adults and children of Heritage United Methodist Church.
