ABOUT
Our goal is to bring the saving message of Jesus to the valleys.
In 2018, Christians from Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church (Reno) and The Springs Lutheran Church (Sparks) saw the growing community of the North Valleys as a great place to reach out with the good news about Jesus. With the support of our national church association (WELS), the first worship was held at O'Brien Middle School in March 2018. In May 2019, about 30 people (see picture) officially became part of the Light of the Valleys family, as they committed to work together to share the good news of Jesus in our area.
Since that time, we are blessed as God keeps adding chapters to our story. Some highlights include being able to host four pastoral interns from 2020-24. In 2024, when Pastor Heckendorf was elected president of the Arizona-California District for the WELS, we were able to add our second pastor, Pastor Daniel Waterstradt. In 2024, we also were able to purchase four acres of land just off the Red Rock exit and we look forward to building a permanent home in this community over the next few years.
Above all, we are thankful for the people that make up Light of the Valleys. By the end of 2025, over 115 people call Light of the Valleys their spiritual home and we look forward to how God will continue to bless this church family in the future.
OUR HISTORY
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:16
We believe and teach that no amount human effort can possibly earn God's favor or lead to eternal life. Thankfully, God's love caused him to send his Son Jesus Christ to live and die for us. God offers forgiveness and salvation to the whole world as free gifts. Everyone who puts their trust in Christ as their Savior will be saved.
CHRISTIAN
CHRISTIAN
GOSPEL-CENTERED
BIBLICAL
LUTHERAN
The word “Gospel” means “good news.” The whole bible can be broken down into two main teachings: law and gospel. The law stresses what God requires (dos and don’ts). The gospel stresses what God has done. The good news (gospel) is that our loving God sent Jesus to fulfill all the requirements (law) on our behalf. As a gospel-centered church, we believe the gospel is the only way that leads to eternal life in heaven. We also trust that same gospel will work faith in our hearts and transform our lives on earth.
GOSPEL CENTERED
CHRISTIAN
GOSPEL-CENTERED
BIBLICAL
LUTHERAN
We believe that every word of the Bible is God's Word. We also believe that the Bible is its own interpreter. Rather than approaching the Bible with a predetermined idea of what it says, we let the Bible speak for itself.
BIBLICAL
CHRISTIAN
GOSPEL-CENTERED
BIBLICAL
LUTHERAN
- By Grace Alone (we are saved not by anything we have done, but by God’s free, undeserved love)
- By Faith Alone (it is only through trust in Jesus as our Savior that we receive the benefits of God’s grace)
- By Scripture Alone (God works faith in Jesus only through Scriptures, i.e, the Bible).
Lutheran
CHRISTIAN
GOSPEL-CENTERED
BIBLICAL
LUTHERAN
After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2001, Joel served at two large congregations in Wisconsin. In December 2018, he and his wife, Mary, moved to Reno to launch Light of the Valleys. In addition to being at Light of the Valleys, Joel and Mary both serve our national church association (WELS). Joel is the president of the Arizona-California district and Mary serves as a ministry recruitment counselor. Outside of ministry, the Heckendorfs love to travel to spend time with their adult children and their families.
PASTOR JOEL HECKENDORF
meet the TEAM
PASTOR
NEXT
Pastor Abel Bain joined the Light of the Valleys ministry team in 2026. He grew up in Wisconsin and is the second of six brothers. His experiences in a large family, multiple communities, and Lutheran education helped shape his passion for gospel ministry. A graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Abel gained ministry experience in both Wisconsin and Colorado, where he ministered in English and Spanish.
He and his wife, Hannah, are high school sweethearts who married in 2022. Hannah, an educator, has taught students of all ages. She spent part of her childhood in Malawi, Africa, where her family served as missionaries and instilled in her a love for people and cultures. Abel and Hannah are excited to make Reno their home and serve alongside the Light of the Valleys family.
