Sherrill earned her undergraduate degree in education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her masters from Eastern Michigan University with a minor in special education. Her thesis included the development of the “M.E. First” program; a hands-on approach to mission education for children in the church. She has taught in Pennsylvania and Michigan in grades 1 – 8 and developed cutting edge educational models for use in the classroom. In 1992 Sherrill accepted the position of Director of Children’s Ministry and as her job description expanded, her position became Director of Church Education Ministries.
Sherrill Heinrichs is a life-long Presbyterian! Her parents were church officers, Sunday School teachers, and chancel choir singers. Church was always a priority for her family.
As a freshman in college, Sherrill was asked to join the staff of the Philadelphia Presbytery Camps. For seven exciting summers she worked with children, youth and staff in three areas: teambuilding, biblical awareness and personal growth as they experienced what it’s like to live in a Christian community.
After her graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Sherrill accepted a teaching position in Levittown, Pennsylvania. There she developed an exciting classroom design called the “Do-Touch Learning Environment!” This program was well known throughout the state as an outstanding model for learning. Sherrill adapted it for use in church education programs in Philadelphia Presbytery.
Sherrill has served on the Education and Nurture and Resource committees for the Presbytery of Detroit. She served as the POINT person for our 92 churches for 5 years, responsible for introducing the Presbyterian curriculum, developing teacher-training modules, helping churches adapt these materials for the workshop rotation approach, and working with sessions and committees as they choose new curriculum. At the present time Sherrill is the coordinator of the program for the Certification of Educators through PC(USA). She coordinates the course offerings leading toward certification and serves as moderator of the educator’s reference groups.
At Northbrook, Sherrill staffs the following committees: Adult Education Children’s Ministry and Mission Connection committees. She oversees the LOGOS mid-week program. Her goal is to help people of all ages learn what it means to live the love of Jesus Christ and go out into the world and do it!
