Pastor Heiser is serving in Russia where he assists Russian churches with church planting and mission outreach programs.

From 1994-1996, Matthew served as a volunteer missionary in Moscow where he taught English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes and was the ESL coordinator. Till April 2003, he served his vicarage assisting Russian churches with church planting and mission outreach programs. Born in Dearborn, Mich., he is a life-long member of Guardian Lutheran Church in Dearborn. Matthew holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a master's from Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich. and attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., where he was ordained as pastor in June 2003. Rev. Heise will serve as Theological Education Coordinator. Russia is the country of his grandparents' origin. His hobbies are sports, traveling and reading.