The Susquehanna Conference is a network of Brethren in Christ congregations located in Maryland and central Pennsylvania.

As part of the BIC U.S., we facilitate church planting, hiring and supporting local pastors, and developing ministry initiatives within the Susquehanna Conference.

Meet Bishop Heather Beaty

Heather has served as bishop of the Susquehanna Conference since 2022.

Heather was born and raised in the BIC. Growing up, she attended Ashland BIC in Ohio where both of her parents pastored. Her formative years were influenced by the many students and teachers of Ashland Theological Seminary who were actively involved with the church. She graduated from Messiah College (now Messiah University) in 1999 with a degree in education and shortly thereafter married Bob Beaty.

Over the past twenty years of ministry, Heather has served in congregations across the U.S. She was the children’s director at Zion BIC Church in Abilene, Kans. and the pastor of family ministries at Solid Ground BIC Church in Alta Loma, Calif. She has also has held several leadership roles at the national level of the denomination, including serving on the Commission for World Missions and the Awaken Leadership Team. Most recently, she was the regional administrator of the Susquehanna Conference, leading the Bishop Leadership Team.

She and Bob live with their two children, Tyler and Alana, in Dillsburg, Pa. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, being outdoors, reading with a good cup of coffee, and cheering on her children at their sporting events. She is passionate about the local church and supporting them in their unique ministry settings.

Conference Map

Bold color – States/regions where BIC congregations are located.
Light color – States/regions without a BIC congregational presence.

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