Wyoming Ministry Network Elects Nicole Heidt as Superintendent

Nicole B. Heidt broke new ground in the Assemblies of God as she became the first woman elected as a district/network superintendent in the Fellowship’s 111-year history during the Wyoming Ministry Network’s annual conference held April 6-8 in Casper. Heidt, who was elected to serve as the Wyoming Ministry Network’s secretary/treasurer in 2020, is also the lead pastor at First Assembly of God in Rock Springs.

The Assemblies of God has a long history of supporting women in ministry. Three women currently serve on the Fellowship's Executive Presbytery, including Donna Barrett, general secretary. Currently, 29% (11,046) of all AG credentialed ministers in the U.S. are women – a percentage that has been growing annually since 1994 (15.2%).

Heidt, 50, has been actively involved in the Wyoming Ministry Network for nearly three decades. She served on the network’s Women’s Ministry team for 10 years, including as its director. She also served alongside her late husband, Troy, as the Wyoming District Youth directors for six years. Troy and Nicole, who met while attending Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, North Dakota, served in the pastorate at Lighthouse Assembly in Upton for 13 years and then, in 2012, began ministering at First Assembly in Rock Springs.

What adds to the story of Heidt’s historic election is that when Troy unexpectedly died from surgery complications in 2016, she initially thought her calling to pastoral ministry had closed — she was not a licensed minister at the time. But to her great surprise, First Assembly asked her to stay on as lead pastor. Working with Alan H. Schaberg, the former ministry network superintendent, Heidt ultimately agreed to stay on as pastor — after receiving 100% of the votes to become First Assembly’s pastor — and simultaneously pursue her credentials.

In 2021 at the General Council in Orlando, Florida, Heidt was interviewed by Assistant General Superintendent Rick DuBose during an evening testimony service about overcoming — she shared about ministry through brokenness and how God brought new life to her and His calling upon her life.

“It was a delight to be able to witness this history making election,” states AG General Superintendent Doug Clay who was a guest speaker at the conference. “Nicole has the spiritual and natural gifts to serve effectively in this office.”

“In trying to soak this moment in, I can’t help but look back and think of all the moments that culminated to this point,” Heidt says. “All the pieces of my life coming together like a puzzle and seeing that each piece was creating a beautiful picture of our Savior. It’s breathtaking to think about how God ordains and orders our steps. Each one with purpose. Every moment with meaning. Every step with significance.”

"I am so humbled that my Wyoming Ministry Network family has confidence to entrust me with this assignment," Heidt continues. "I am so grateful to now see with greater clarity that God has been preparing me for this long before the election. My story really isn’t about how a woman was elected superintendent. My story is how with God nothing is impossible.”

Dan Van Veen

Dan Van Veen is news editor of AG News. Prior to transitioning to AG News in 2001, Van Veen served as managing editor of AG U.S. Missions American Horizon magazine for five years. He attends Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri, where he and his wife, Lori, teach preschool Sunday School and 4- and 5-year-old Rainbows boys and girls on Wednesdays.