Unity of Fairfax Hires New Senior Minister

The Unity of Fairfax Board of Trustees appointed Reverend Russell D. Heiland, Jr. as the senior minister of Unity of Fairfax after a competitive process. 

Rev. Heiland was chosen “due to his dynamic, energetic presence, his ability to embody spirituality, and a constant flow of great ideas. He will lead us into our next phase as a growing, loving community,” according to the church’s Board of Trustees.

During his interviews, Rev. Heiland shared his enthusiasm for youth, familiy and campus ministries, and said he finds young adult ministry to be especially rewarding. He said he invites church leaders to think, act and be outside the box. 

“Meaningful integration of all age groups within a community can be done to the mutual benefit of all,” Heiland said in a press release. “I look forward to not only getting to know the Unity of Fairfax congregation but also to reaching out to members of the surrounding community. It’s a very exciting time.”

Previously, Rev. Heiland served as the associate minister at First Unity of St. Petersburg in Florida from 2009 to 2012. Prior to that, he served as associate minister, co-minister and senior minister at Unity Christ Church of Wilmington in North Carolina for seven years. 

Rev. Heiland received his professional training at Unity Worldwide Ministries and is an Ordained Unity Minister. He has a bachelor's in international studies from Miami University in Ohio and a master's in liberal studies from the University of North Carolina - Wilmington. 

Rev. Heiland will help lead Unity of Fairfax's Season for Nonviolence closing ceremony on April 6. The 16th Annual Gandhi-King Season for Nonviolence is an international event honoring the visions of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For more information, visit www.unityoffairfax.org/season-nonviolence. 

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