Grace UMC

Bruce Heydt

Bruce graduated from West Chester State College in 1980 and spent the first 23 years of his professional career in the belief that God had called him to be a journalist. He realized his error in 2004 when his former employer, no doubt inspired by God to correct this mistake, packed up shop and moved to Leesburg, Virginia, leaving Bruce to seek a new line of work.

In October of that year he applied for the position of Director of Adult Discipleship Ministries at Grace UMC and then-Pastor Barry Wolfe, not knowing any better, offered him the jobs of Director of Outreach Ministries and Lay Preacher as well. Not knowing any better himself, he accepted and has served the Grace community in all three capacities since January 2005.

Currently, Bruce preaches at both the Traditional and contemporary Souljourn services. He leads Disciple Bible Studies and various other short-term small group programs. He is also active in the intrachurch Homes of Hope ministry, which provides transitional housing for homeless families in the Penn Manor School District. His approach to ministry is summed up by Proverbs 3:27: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”

Bruce’s other passions include his wife, kids, and the Philadelphia Flyers, although not necessarily in that order.