Outreach for Christ Church

Gazing upon Outreach for Christ Church, one can almost hear the echoes of prophetic words that led to its founding. Outreach for Christ Church wasn’t built by accident. It arose from the shared vision of three leaders: Bob Heil, Linn Haitz, and Ron Sutton. They sought a place to house their respective ministries, a place where leadership training, missionary work, and a refuge for the lost could coexist. Bob Heil, a former Lutheran pastor, had experienced a spiritual renewal. He was drawn to the idea of signs and wonders accompanying preaching. He began holding meetings in his home, and it was there that he connected with Ron Sutton, one of his first students. Linn Haitz, a seasoned missionary, joined forces with Bob and Ron. Together, they found the perfect location: a former Catholic girls’ camp and, before that, a tuberculosis center. This land became the Christian Outreach Center, or COC, the precursor to Outreach for Christ Church. The property, with its 36 cabins and bunkhouses, proved ideal for Ron’s ministry to youth from St. Louis. Nearly 50 young people found refuge at the center, embracing a life of faith and learning to “live out the Word.” The center also birthed the Christian Outreach School of Ministries, COSM, fulfilling Bob and Linn’s vision of training missionaries and church leaders. A congregation formed, practicing the teachings of COSM, and eventually became Outreach for Christ Church. The center hosted vibrant Family Bible Camps, inviting renowned speakers and offering a haven for those seeking spiritual renewal. These camps became a catalyst for countless callings to ministry and missions, demonstrating the center’s role as a “light set on a hill.” Over time, Bob passed leadership to Nick Ittzes, who remained committed to the church’s founding values. Bob’s legacy lives on at Outreach for Christ Church. In 2009, the chapel was dedicated in his honor, becoming the Robert W. Heil Memorial Chapel, a constant reminder of his vision and the rich history of Outreach for Christ Church.