Pastoral Team

Senior Pastor, Kris Palmer

Dr. Kris R. Palmer served in a leadership role at Heartland for many years alongside Pastor Charles Sharpe and other team members, then stepped in as the lead pastor of Heartland Community Church in 2017. He also continues to serve as President of Heartland Christian College.

Pastor Kris and his wife, Martha, have made their home at Heartland since 2002. Kris is a graduate of Atlanta High School, Truman State University, Liberty University, and holds a PhD from Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania. Martha is the Academic Dean of Heartland Christian College. The Palmers are parents of four grown children and have ten grandchildren.

Elder, Dave Barton

In addition to his role as General Manager of CNSIMI, Dave serves as the Director of Missions for Heartland Community Church. Church mission teams have traveled to places like Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Moldova, India, the Philippines, Egypt, Israel, Thailand, and Tanzania. “When we go, we are not just going on a trip,” says Dave, “but to serve alongside the many awesome friends and family which God has joined us to through the years.”

Dave has a MA in Ministry from Carolina University (formerly Piedmont International University). His favorite title these day is Pa Pa to his grandchildren, who can often be found around the table at the Barton home along with another generation of international Bible College students he and his wife Judi continue to pour their lives into. 

Elder, Mauricio Toro

Mauricio holds a Masters in Business Administration from Quincy University and currently serves as the Principal of Heartland Christian Academy. His desire is to ignite a passion in students to honor and glorify God with every part of one’s life. As a native of Colombia, South America, Mauricio brings a love for the nations to the Heartland campus.

He and his wife Heather have four active children (and two dogs) which keep things lively in the Toro casa. In the Church, Mauricio serves as an Area Life Group Leader, preaches occasionally, and helps with administration.

Elder, Julian Vera

Julian has served in various capacities during his time at Heartland. What started out as a young man from Colombia looking for help through his immigration process has evolved into Julian becoming a pillar in the community. Julian holds an MBA from Quincy University and currently works as the Operations Manager of CNS International Ministries, Inc. He serves as an Area Life Group Leader, oversees our Adult Sunday School teachers, and preaches on occasion. 

Julian and his wife Kelly are proud parents to five young children (one son and four daughters) and they regularly practice the gift of hospitality to love and serve others in their home and in the church.