Growing up in Redding, Calif., Eddie Heinrich loved spending time at Leoni Meadows. When he was old enough, he began to work there during the summers as a camp counselor. The five years he spent working at Leoni Meadows had a large impact on his life.

It was during this time that he started to feel the call to enter youth ministry. “All those years working at summer camp, working with kids, feeling that I can make a difference in their lives, made me want to be in youth ministry,” said Heinrich. He has been ministering to youth ever since.

Heinrich accepted the Northern California Conference Executive Committee’s invitation to become the new NCC youth director March 5. “This is the place I grew up,” said Heinrich. “I’ve always dreamed of being the youth director of Northern California.” During the 15 years he has spent working for the Adventist Church, Heinrich has served as a pastor, camp director, and academy chaplain in Minnesota. Most recently, he ministered for eight years as the youth director for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.

Though Heinrich has spent a lot of time away from northern California, he is happy to be returning to familiar territory. Heinrich graduated from Rio Lindo Academy and Pacific Union College and still has family in the area. His brother, Craig, is the current administrative director of Leoni Meadows.

“Coming home is exciting — being able to be closer to family,” said Heinrich. “Northern California has always been a very special place for my family and me. My wife has ties to this area, too — her grandfather was the former pastor of the Santa Rosa church.” Eddie and his wife, Tammy, have been married for close to 16 years, and they have a 7-month-old son, Braeden.

People are glad to have a person with Heinrich’s talents and experience as the youth director. “He is a very energetic person, and I know he has been very successful where he has been,” said Alice Merrill, associate for family ministries and Adventurers. “I’m sure he will bring the same success and energy to the NCC.”

James E. Pedersen, NCC president, believes that Eddie Heinrich’s love of youth ministry will benefit the conference greatly. “Eddie brings both experience and passion to his new role. We're so blessed to have him leading out in this ministry,” said Pedersen. “I'm certain that God's Spirit is going to move in a mighty way through our youth.”

Heinrich is looking forward to the opportunities he will have to reach young people for Christ. “I know this may sound simplistic, but I really want to get kids excited about Jesus and having a genuine relationship with Him,” he said. “Leoni Meadows was a key experience for me when I was younger, and I hope I can help others have similar meaningful experiences.”