My name is Pam Heidzig. I’m part of Lighthouse on the Hill, a Foursquare church in Omaha, Neb., pastored by Patrick Bergman. In the early 1990s, I met Sharon Pummel, who was married to Glen Pummel, then the pastor of Lighthouse. Sharon and I became friends, in spite of the ungodly way I was living at the time.
I felt compelled to “confess” to Sharon about my illicit activities. She just continued to love and pray for me. A few years later, she and her husband moved out of state to pastor another church. I continued my way of living for another 10 years.
In June 2002, after a short string of unhealthy relationships, I had my heart broken again. While working in the yard one day, I was crying. I lifted my hands to the Lord and told Him that I was done. I didn’t want to live life the way I had been anymore. I told God He could do with me what He wanted to do with me.
God didn’t waste any time. I’m a police officer and work the narcotics unit. So, I have a lot of contact with people who are down and out and sometimes bottomed out. Prior to my conversion, I would lecture them and warn them to get their act together.
After my conversion I noticed that I truly cared about and loved them. I would tell them about God and even cry with them. I couldn’t believe the supernatural love that had suddenly filled me. This was only one of numerous immediate changes that took place.
I also found myself desiring to go to church but felt that I needed a change. Prior to this, I was a Lutheran and attended church sporadically. I called Sharon, and she told me that Lighthouse was getting a new pastor whom she thought would be very good. Thus, the beginning of a beautiful relationship with the Lighthouse family.
Lighthouse’s biggest asset is the people. The Lighthouse family is blessed to have among us a group of people who have served as the church’s foundation for many years. One of these “elders” is Edna Thurston.
When I started going to Lighthouse, I was sort of a loner. Well, Edna was not going to have any of that. Almost immediately, she approached me and asked if I would be interested in being a greeter.
I was irritated that she would ask me to do anything. I didn’t know how to say no, so I agonizingly agreed. But Edna in all her wisdom knew what she was doing. I actually enjoyed greeting and began to establish relationships because of it.
Lighthouse has been instrumental in leading some of my family members to Christ, including my younger sister and younger brother. I’ve been a church council member for three years, and I still greet and will readily assist wherever I am needed.
God has a wonderful plan for Lighthouse in the Omaha area, and I feel privileged that I am, and will be, a part of that plan.
