Meet the Discipleship Staff

Becky Stowers - Director of Discipleship

Becky Stowers graduated from Cedarville University with a nursing degree in 2001, but while there she grew to love Student Development. She worked full time for a year as an RN, but then the Lord opened the door for her to be a Resident Director at Cedarville University and after 9 years in that role she transitioned to the Dean of Women and served for 4 years in that capacity. In 2011, she completed her Master’s Degree in Human Services from Liberty University. In 2015, she moved to Florida to work at Palm Beach Atlantic University as the Director of Health and Wellness. Missing student interaction, the Midwest and family, she transitioned to Heritage Christian in the summer of 2017. Becky loves pouring into the lives of students and challenging them in their walk with Christ.

Q: What is your favorite way to spend time with students?
A: I love hanging out with students in my office, the hallways, at sporting events and at fine arts events. It's such a joy living life with them and getting into their world! Each interaction is important and a blessing.

Q: What fun things do you have in your office?
A: I have couches, a microwave, fridge, coffee maker and often candy or snacks. It is a great place to come relax for a few minutes!

Q: What's your favorite song to belt out in the car?
A: Whatever is on the radio!- typically contemporary Christian music.

Q: If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
A: I honestly have no desire to meet any celebrities as I always imagine the conversation would be short, awkward, and random! I'm a quality time person, so I would much rather get together with a friend, preferably over good food.

Q: Do you have any fun hobbies?
A: I enjoy outdoor activities - swimming, kayaking, hiking, etc. I also love traveling, especially internationally.

Q: What's your favorite food?
A: Hawaiian pizza (with extra sauce), chocolate(!), and most desserts

Q: What's your favorite part of your job at Heritage?
A: I love spending time with students - getting to know them, being a listening ear, encouraging them, challenging them in their walk with Christ, and investing in their lives.

Dina Furnish - Middle School & High School Discipleship Mentor

Dina Furnish has known she wanted to be a counselor since 7th grade. Through her journey with Christ, Dina discovered that God’s larger calling was for her to use her gifts to love His children and point them toward Jesus.

Dina graduated from Valparaiso University in 1987 with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. She earned her master’s degree in Counseling and Counselor Education from IU in 1990. Before having children, Dina counseled children and families as well as managed therapeutic programs in Indy and Pittsburgh. She transitioned out of full-time work to raise her children until her oldest was in 7th grade.

Dina joined the HCS staff in 2008, as she and her husband Miles sent their sons, Pierson (‘14), MJ (‘17), and Evan (‘18), to Heritage. She loves mentoring students, providing a safe place for them to work through tough issues, and speaking God’s word into their lives.

Q: What is your favorite way to spend time with students?
A: I love just doing life together with students. So, whether we're grabbing something from the cafe, taking a walk around campus, sitting together at lunch or having a heart-to-heart talk in my room...I've found that conversations happen best when students feel genuinely accepted and valued for who they are, wherever they are on their faith journey.

Q: What fun things do you have in your office?
A: Couch, pillows, pictures, candy and a fridge.

Q: What's your favorite song to belt out in the car?
A: Anything I know the words to or that is in my range (which is very limited).

Q: If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
A: I’m not sure if she would fit the category of “celebrity”, but the person whose life influenced me profoundly during my formative years was Helen Keller. I read every book I could find on her and grew strength from all that she overcame. On a lighter note, I grew up watching I Love Lucy and would rate Lucille Ball as one of my all-time favorite celebrities that I would have liked to meet.

Q: Do you have any fun hobbies?
A: In this “season” of my life, any extra time I have is spent enjoying time with my family and friends. My husband and I also love to travel.

Q: What's your favorite food?
A: I love all types of food, but especially enjoy eating Mediterranean or Indian cuisine.

Q: What's your favorite part of your job at Heritage?
A: There is something incredibly special about being able to speak God’s truth and grace into the lives of students every day and to have the privilege of equipping tomorrow’s generation to live boldly for Christ. I also love the “iron sharpening iron” discussions with colleagues and the blessing of being surrounded by such genuine Christ-followers. There is nothing that compares to the community we have at Heritage!

Tia Cavanaugh-Goggans - Diversity & Discipleship Coordinator

Tia Cavanaugh-Goggans has devoted her life to improving and protecting the welfare of children and their families. After completing bachelor's and master’s degrees in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Child Development and Child Psychology at IU, Bloomington, she worked for the Department of Child Services. She has also worked in the areas of foster care and adoption, residential treatment, assisted and supported living for special needs individuals, pediatric consultation, and public relations and marketing in the child welfare industry.

It is my sincere prayer that, together, we will continue to launch students, from all walks of life, onto a road of success and a lifelong journey with Jesus Christ.

Tia joined the discipleship staff in 2016 after sending her oldest daughter, Maya (‘22) to Heritage. Tia keeps busy running middle school small groups and student council, mentoring students, and working on the Diversity Council. “It is my sincere prayer that, together, we will continue to launch students, from all walks of life, onto a road of success and a lifelong journey with Jesus Christ,” said Tia.

As of summer 2018, she is a newlywed. She and her husband are the parents of five children.

Q: What is your favorite way to spend time with students?
A: I thoroughly enjoy just hanging out in the Commons area and in the Cafetorium just getting to know students. They've been great with helping me get acclimated to the "culture" of HCS and helping me to learn names and faces. I enjoy having them "school" me on the ins and outs of adolescence and keeping me adept of the latest trends and lingo. It keeps me young!

Q: What fun things do you have in your office?
A: Absolutely nothing! My plan, however, is to create a comfy atmosphere with comfortable seating and pillows, cushy rugs, and softer lighting. These fluorescent lights are killing me! I'm envisioning music. Music is life. Life is music. There's gotta be snacks, right? I'll let the students help me figure out the rest...

Q: What's your favorite song to belt out in the car?
A: Oh my goodness, there are so many! I can't name just one!
How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin
It's A Beautiful Day - Jamie Grace
Shake - Mercy Me
Worth - Anthony Brown
Take Me to The King - Tamela Mann
Higher - Unspoken

Q: If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
A: I don't know that they are celebrities, but well-known figures that I hold in high-esteem would include: Maya Angelou (now deceased) and President Barack Obama.

Q: Do you have any fun hobbies?
A: I am an avid reader! I LOVE to read anything I can get my hands on. I also love to write. I journal as often as I can. From the Word of God to historical fiction to DIY to self-help, I love to read and write about it all! I am also very musically inclined so singing and teaching and enjoying all kinds of music is a big part of my life. However, my greatest joy is time spent with my family.

Q: What's your favorite food?
A: All things seafood!

Q: What's your favorite part of your job at Heritage?
A: To date, my favorite part of being here at HCS is having heart-to-hearts with students. Sharing their joys and encouraging them through their sorrows is a special gift to me. I cherish every moment and I'm overjoyed when I feel like they walk away from interactions with me better than when they came.

Q: Is there anything else you would like future Eagles to know about you?
A: I just want the Heritage family to know that I'm happy to be here. This isn't a job. This is ministry. I count it a blessing.

Tom Flynn - Men's Discipleship Leader

Tom Flynn and his wife Amy have been involved with HCS since their children, Megan (‘05) and Justin (‘08), started attending Heritage in 1995. He has since served in numerous roles at Heritage, including as a member of the Board of Directors, Board Spiritual Formation Committee Chairman, and men’s and women’s lacrosse founder and coach. In 2016, he was named the Indiana High School Lacrosse Association Man of the Year for his service to lacrosse and the young men he mentors!

Tom graduated from Purdue University and was CEO and owner of a construction firm for 26 years. He’s currently a deacon at College Park Church and works alongside Iron 2 Iron Ministries and Impact 27:17 Ministries.

He stepped into a formal ministry role at Heritage in 2014. Tom has a passion to inspire, challenge, and encourage young men to seek Christ-centered lives in their current purpose, motivations, and convictions, as well as for their future roles in relationships, marriage, family, career, and community.

Q: What is your favorite way to spend time with students?
A: It's great to discuss life and faith individually or in groups with guys.

Q: What fun things do you have in your office?
A: In my room there is a ping pong table, foosball table, basketball hoop, and I stream ESPN all through the day.

Q: What's your favorite song to belt out in the car?
A: Wow, favorite song cannot be singled to one (depending on my mood)!
- DC Talk - Jesus Freak, My Friend (So Long)
- Third Day - King of Glory
- Guns-n-Roses - November Rain
- Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road
- Kari Jobe - Revelation Song
- Outlaws - Green Grass & High Tides
- Mason Williams - Classical Gas
- Charlie Daniels - Orange Blossom Special
- Trans Siberian Orchestra - Wizards in Winter

Q: If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
A: Prince William and Princess Kate. My wife follows the history of England and the Royals!

Q: Do you have any fun hobbies?
A: Lacrosse coaching, cycling, watching grandchildren, travel

Q: What's your favorite food?
A: ANYTHING Italian and pork chops!

Q: What's your favorite part of your job at Heritage?
A: When you have the opportunity to be a resource for students - whether it be walking through a difficult part of their life, ongoing pressures they are struggling with, plans for the future, or just how current events can/are affecting them...that is a blessing!

Shannon Cockrell - Diversity Discipleship Mentor

Shannon graduated from Crossroads Bible College in 2012 and then received an M.Div in Theological Studies from Liberty University. He has always wanted to teach and preach the Bible, so he pursued higher learning to become a better witness for Christ. God took Shannon on an interesting journey before arriving at Heritage in 2018. For 4 years he served as a hospice chaplain. Shannon says that his experience in that role sharpened his listening and caring skills which then helped him to interact and build relationships with his students. He loves learning each student’s "story" and helping them grow in Christlikeness. In fact, he believes that Christian education is "Likeness Transformation".

Q: What is your favorite way to spend time with students?
A: My favorite way to spend time with the students is interacting with them in the hallways and classrooms – greeting them and showing them the love of Christ.

Q: What's your favorite song to belt out in the car?
A: My favorite song to belt out in the car is anything by Eric Clapton. I actually wanted to name my first daughter Layla. (We went with Rhys.)

Q: If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
A: If I could meet any celebrity, it would have to be Shannon Sharpe. I love sports and I love watching him discuss sports topics. He was great football player and it helps that we share the same name. I am a football nerd.

Q: Do you have any fun hobbies?
A: I love collecting Bibles and pens. I have a huge collection of both. I also love cooking and traveling. Furthest place I have traveled is to Singapore.

Q: What's your favorite food?
A: My favorite food, hands down, is hot chicken wings. The spicier the better. A close second is fajitas. My family loves Hispanic cuisine.

Q: What's your favorite part of your job at Heritage?
A: My favorite part of my job at Heritage is getting to come to work everyday with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I get to help encourage and educate future disciple-makers. I love working in a Christian environment where glorifying God is the center of everything that is taking place.