MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Jared Bryan

Lead Pastor

Jared serves as the lead pastor of Heritage, providing spiritual and organizational leadership for the church, guiding its vision, discipleship, and mission. His role is responsible for shepherding the congregation, equipping leaders, and ensuring the church remains faithful to biblical teaching and Christ-centered living.

Jared grew up in Modesto, California, and felt called to pastoral ministry at sixteen after a dramatic encounter with the Lord. He attended an AG college and has served as an associate pastor and youth pastor in several churches, carrying a long‑held dream of church planting. In this season, he feels called to grow and empower leaders within the church and finds joy in truly pastoring people—getting to know them deeply and caring for them well.

Jared is married to the love of his life, Brook, his partner in both ministry and adventure. Outside of ministry, he enjoys baseball, comic books, road trips, and a rotating list of hobbies.

Jared loves serving at Heritage Vineyard Church because of the privilege of walking alongside people and helping them experience the love of Jesus.

You can reach Jared by email at Jared@vineyardtruenorth.com

Brook Bryan

Executive Pastor

Brook serves as the Executive Pastor at Heritage. She is the primary leader for the operational, administrative, and organizational functions of the church. Working closely with the Lead Pastor and leadership team, her role ensures that the vision of the church is effectively implemented through sound management, strategic oversight, and the coordination of people and resources.

Born and raised in Kalkaska, Brook has loved the local church her whole life. Growing up in a Christ‑centered family and serving from a young age, she developed a natural pull toward ministry and leadership. Her experience includes multiple internships, training through the Center for Global Action, and missionary work in Africa.

Brook has been happily married to her husband, Jared, since 2016, and is deeply dedicated to her extended family and many honorary nieces and nephews. Outside of ministry, she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, thrifting, reading, and creative projects like decorating and painting.

Brook loves having an eternal impact on the place she’s called home most of her life. Her hope is that everyone she ministers to encounters the Lord’s loving‑kindness and discovers a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus.

You can reach Brook by email at Brook@vineyardtruenorth.com

Zac Southwell

Associate Pastor

Zac serves as the Associate Pastor at Heritage. He supports the mission and ministry of the church through biblical teaching, discipleship, and pastoral leadership. This role works alongside the Lead Pastor and church leadership to nurture spiritual growth within the congregation and to provide guidance in areas of stewardship, teaching, and pastoral care.

Zac grew up in Kalkaska and has followed Jesus from a young age, committing more intentionally to his faith at 18. He sees his greatest calling as being a godly husband and father, leading his family to love the Lord above all else. Outside of ministry, he enjoys the outdoors, woodworking, sports, and time with friends—and he’s surprisingly skilled with horses thanks to growing up on a horse farm.

Zac loves serving at Heritage Vineyard Church because it allows him to minister without pretense, invest in the community where he grew up, and focus on relationships that reflect the heart of God’s Kingdom. His hope is that everyone he encounters experiences the love of the Lord and grows in their own love for Him.

Brett (BJ) Bontrager

Teaching Pastor

Brett serves as our Teaching Pastor at Heritage. He is responsible for leading and developing the church’s discipleship pathways, ensuring that all generations are being equipped to follow Christ faithfully. His role provides theological guidance, oversees children’s discipleship, and occasionally preaches to the broader congregation.

Brett grew up in Leetsville, Michigan, in a family that modeled service, faith, and authentic Christian living. With more than 25 years of ministry experience in roles ranging from youth and worship to outreach, leadership, and even behind a hot grill, he brings a deep love for the church and for helping people grow in Christ. In this season, he feels called to equip believers through teaching and encouragement, and to create an environment where children feel truly part of the church community.

He holds degrees in Business Management and Business Administration/Social Studies Education, is a Michigan State Master Gardener, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Biblical Studies. Brett and his wife, Kara, have a son, Alex, and two dogs, Bjorn and Greta. He enjoys time with family, fishing, gardening, games, and nurturing native flower gardens A fun fact: he loves everything 1980s and dreams of an ’80s‑style home in Southwest Florida.

Brett loves Heritage Vineyard Church’s commitment to helping Kalkaska flourish, and he hopes everyone he serves experiences the authentic heart and love of Jesus.

Tabitha Carlisle

Community Pastor

Tabitha serves as the community Pastor at Heritage by leading the church’s efforts to engage the community and extend Christ’s love through outreach, events, and pastoral care. Her role combines external ministry leadership with personal care for individuals in need, seeking to connect the church body with both local and broader community impact.

Tabitha grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and has spent more than 26 years in ministry alongside her husband, Jonathan. Originally drawn to helping others through nursing, she continued saying yes as God opened new doors, eventually stepping into pastoral ministry in 2020.

Tabitha feels called to care for and advocate for those who are overlooked or in need, finding joy in meeting practical and spiritual needs both inside and outside the church.

She and her husband have three adult children, a daughter‑in‑law, a grandchild, and a lively Australian Shepherd. Tabitha loves peaceful moments outdoors, time with family and friends, reading, vinyl records, games, and cross‑stitching. She also enjoys backpacking—especially along Pictured Rocks.

At Heritage Vineyard Church, her greatest hope is that people experience the Father’s love through her ministry.

Johnathen Somner

Co-Worship Pastor

Johnathen serves as the Co-Worship Pastor, alongside his wife, Bianca. Johnathen leads the church in Christ-centered worship while overseeing the technical ministries that support Sunday services and other gatherings. His role combines musical and spiritual leadership with technical expertise, ensuring excellence in worship and equipping volunteers to serve with skill and passion.

Johnathen grew up in Modesto, California, and has served in ministry from a young age—from kids ministry and Bible college internships to sound, worship, and multiple church plants. A lifelong musician, he’s been playing since he was thirteen and brings a passion for excellence in worship and production. His faith journey includes a season of drifting before finding sobriety in his early twenties while serving in church, where he later met his wife, Bianca.

He and Bianca have four children and love a lively family life full of sports, dance, movies, and music. Outside of ministry, he enjoys coaching, working out, outdoor activities, recording music, and quiet moments of solitude.

Johnathen loves the friendships and connections he has found at Heritage Vineyard Church, and he hopes people experience true surrender to the Lord through worship.

You can reach Johnathen by email at jtsomner@vineyardtruenorth.com

Bianca Somner

Co-Worship Pastor

Bianca serves as Co-Worship pastor, alongside her husband, Johnathen. She leads the church in meaningful worship, provides leadership to women’s ministry, and oversees church communications and marketing. Her role blends pastoral care, creative leadership, and organizational skills to help the church engage its congregation and community both in-person and online.

Bianca grew up in California and began serving in ministry at a young age, eventually developing a deep passion for worship and reaching the lost. Her experiences on missions trips to South America and her studies in Biblical and Theological Studies at Bethany University shaped her calling to serve the Church and lead people into God’s presence.

In this season, Bianca feels especially called to develop leaders and help others grow in their worship gifts.

She loves seeing people experience breakthrough in the presence of the Lord and counts it a privilege to be part of what God is doing at Heritage Vineyard Church.

Bianca is married to her husband, Johnathen, and together they have four children. Outside of ministry, she enjoys date nights, family adventures, and writing music.

You can reach Bianca by email at Bianca@vineyardtruenorth.com