John Vaught – 2007 Graduate

The journey of ministry life has been an enriching experience since graduating Heartland Baptist Bible College, in 2007. The Lord has allowed me to be in full-time ministry, filling positions of Assistant Pastor, Youth Pastor, College Director and now, Pastor.  In 2009, I joined the pastoral staff at Fellowship Baptist Church in Liberal, KS under the leadership of Pastor Bill Prater, for the purpose of being trained and equipped to plant a church.  

In August, 2011, God made it clear that it was time to begin the process of determining the location of where we would plant a church.  Shortly after, my long-time, church planting burden became God’s call to start NorthWay Baptist Church in Scottsdale, AZ. The first service of NorthWay was November 3, 2013.  We saw the Lord do wonders during that first service, and we continue to witness His wonders through the ministry and lives of the people He has assembled in this new, baby church.

The extraordinary ride of ministry these past seven years has given me a deeper appreciation for the faithful men of God who served as teachers and mentors at Heartland.  These men emphasized the need to walk in dependence upon the Lord.  The longer I am in ministry the more I recognize the immense truth of their example and influence.  I am learning that the key to being used of God and being able to see Him do great things is to simply walk in dependence upon Him, persistently asking God to preserve me and help me to remain faithful to Him.  By the grace of God, I anticipate many years of exciting ministry ahead.