Heather Everett | Empathy In Action, Training Facilitator
Tell us a little about your background
My name is Heather Everett. I am a South Jersey native with a passion for learning and community-building! Over the past two decades, God has led our family around the world and back again—a journey that’s fostered in me a deep curiosity and a lasting love for people and their stories. I am a retired military spouse, mother of seven, and career homeschooler.
Professionally, my passion for helping individuals grow and connect began with volunteer and leadership development, deepened through instructional design in both public and private sectors, and continued to thrive most recently in learning solutions crafted for churches and nonprofits.
These lived experiences—alongside a B.A. in Communications and an M.Ed. in Human Resource Development —have shaped my strategic, relational approach: I believe learning is most impactful when it is personal and rooted in relationship.
What led you to this area of work?
It is beautiful how God has woven my personal and professional experiences into just the right mix at the right time! I have a passion for learning that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and inspires meaningful engagement. Empathy in Action is a learning opportunity that embodies all of these things! I want to see people thrive in the places and spaces where God has them, and I believe strongly that He has something for each of us in every interaction we’re called to. I believe one of the ways the Church can be the hands and feet of Jesus is to display his radical compassion in a way that helps people see God and experience His love for themselves.
Why did you choose to join the Wild Oak Haven team?
In so many ways I feel like God has drawn my husband and me to Wild Oak Haven, in the same way that He drew us clearly to Hampton Roads (a story for another day!). We love this local area, and desire to see revival in this place! I believe Wild Oak Haven is already part of that, and that Empathy in Action is an important opportunity to equip and encourage the Church to reach the Seven Cities for Christ.
What are you most excited about in your new role, and what perspective or value are you hoping to bring?
This new role is a refinement of my ongoing work with Wild Oak Haven in outreach and community engagement. I am so excited to watch God do a new thing in His people through the renewal of the Empathy in Action program. I’m humbled that I get to bring a focus and intentionality to the growth of this initiative in a way that honors Him and equips His people to grow in ministry.
What are a few things you enjoy outside of work (hobbies, interests, etc.)?
My love for people and curiosity about their stories also comes to life in my free time—whether I’m exploring creative nonfiction, uncovering hidden gems of local history, or cultivating intentional roots within the Hampton Roads community. But most people don’t realize that I am actually an “extroverted introvert” – so when I’m not engaged with my big, beautiful family, I like to recharge by crocheting in my “Bible chair” and listening to hymns and worship music.
Do you have a favorite quote, motto, or life philosophy?
My favorite Bible verse is 1 Thessalonians 2:8, where Paul shares that he and Timothy cared so much that they were “delighted to share not only the gospel of God but our very lives.” This is how I want to live, and how I hope Empathy in Action will encourage my fellow believers to live: in deeply invested relationships with a heart that points to Jesus!