Our Founding Pastors
Higher Ground Ministries was founded in 1984 with 4 people in the home of Pastors Kerry & Ginny Twing in Westminster. After outgrowing their home and the Westminster Town Hall, HGM moved to the City of Gardner on Central Street where they rented Hirons Furniture factory for nearly 20 years before purchasing the building in 2006. 3 of the 4 floors of HGM have been dedicated to reaching the children and youth of the community and beyond.
Today HGM is full of excited families who lives have been changed by the power of God and the Word that is preached each and every week.
The Vision of HGM is to seek out and save those who are lost by showing them the love and forgiving power of Jesus Christ.
On April 13, 2009, Pastor Kerry unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord. The congregation and community were stunned and shocked. Over 1000 people attended his wake and funeral. He touched the lives of so many and will always be remembered as a man of joy!
Pastor Kerry left a legacy of a "no quit" tenacious Spirit filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, and a giving heart.
His wife, Pastor Ginny has determined to see the Vision fulfilled of thousands of people coming to know Jesus- building a new building to house the new congregation- turning our current building into a youth center and holding a Saturday night 3rd service.
Today, the congregation has come alongside Pastor Ginny and her family as she determines to lead HGM into fulfilling the Vision God gave her and Pastor Kerry over 27 years ago. Pastor Ginny determines to keep HGM steady on the path she and Pastor Kerry paved when they both laid the foundation for this mighty church.
Coupled with her love for people and the call God has placed on her life, Pastor Ginny has risen up to take her place in the great body of Christ seeing to it many peoples lives are changed for the Glory of God.
Today HGM is full of excited families who lives have been changed by the power of God and the Word that is preached each and every week.
The Vision of HGM is to seek out and save those who are lost by showing them the love and forgiving power of Jesus Christ.
On April 13, 2009, Pastor Kerry unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord. The congregation and community were stunned and shocked. Over 1000 people attended his wake and funeral. He touched the lives of so many and will always be remembered as a man of joy!
Pastor Kerry left a legacy of a "no quit" tenacious Spirit filled with the Power of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, and a giving heart.
His wife, Pastor Ginny has determined to see the Vision fulfilled of thousands of people coming to know Jesus- building a new building to house the new congregation- turning our current building into a youth center and holding a Saturday night 3rd service.
Today, the congregation has come alongside Pastor Ginny and her family as she determines to lead HGM into fulfilling the Vision God gave her and Pastor Kerry over 27 years ago. Pastor Ginny determines to keep HGM steady on the path she and Pastor Kerry paved when they both laid the foundation for this mighty church.
Coupled with her love for people and the call God has placed on her life, Pastor Ginny has risen up to take her place in the great body of Christ seeing to it many peoples lives are changed for the Glory of God.
Pastor Kerry A Twing March 29, 1954 - April 13, 2009
His Legacy Lives on!
Pastor Kerry A. Twing, 55, of 7 Bean Porridge Hill Rd., Westminster, founder and Pastor of the Higher Ground Ministries in Gardner died peacefully Tuesday, April 13, 2009 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner after being stricken ill at home.
Pastor Kerry was born in Gardner on March 29, 1954 and moved with his family to California when he was in 7th grade. He graduated from Righetti High School in Orcutt, California in 1972 and quickly returned home to his native Massachusetts.
He graduated from Faith Alive School of Ministry in Millbury and was officially ordained a Pastor in 1985. His journey in faith began over 25 years ago, and in 1984, Higher Ground Ministries was formed, beginning from the ground roots level in his home.
Pastor Kerry will be remembered as having a true servant heart. He has been solidly committed to the call and his life reflected leadership in everything he did. Pastor Kerry oversaw many churches that have branched out from Higher Ground Ministries. Several pastors have submitted their churches under the umbrella of wisdom and protection that Pastor Kerry brought. He has truly been a pastor to pastors. More important, his outreach to our community was steadfast. His devotion to the youth of our community was strong, devoting three entire floors of the Higher Ground Ministries to children and youth.
To his family, Pastor Kerry will be remembered as the ultimate family man. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed camping trips with his family and vacations on Martha's Vineyard Island. To his beloved grandchildren; he will be forever remembered as "Pops" or "Papa." He loved them dearly and his loss will be immeasurable.
He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife; Virginia "Ginny" C. (Pisaruk) Twing with whom he celebrated nearly 31 wonderful years of marriage, his parents; Donald A. and Dorothy (Hancock) Twing of Westminster, two daughters; Katie M. Kamenski and her husband Jon of Westminster and Sarah E. Hessel and her husband Dave of Westminster, three sisters; Kathy A. Fredericks and her husband Steven of Plymouth, Janie D. Higgs and her husband John of Littleton, Colorado and Jackie Trainque and her husband Paul of Westminster, four grandchildren; James Twing, Jake Hessel, Jessica Kamenski and Levi Hessel and several nephews and nieces. Pastor Kerry was very excited about the birth of his newest granddaughter; Carly Kamenski who will be born in nearly five weeks.
Pastor Kerry was born in Gardner on March 29, 1954 and moved with his family to California when he was in 7th grade. He graduated from Righetti High School in Orcutt, California in 1972 and quickly returned home to his native Massachusetts.
He graduated from Faith Alive School of Ministry in Millbury and was officially ordained a Pastor in 1985. His journey in faith began over 25 years ago, and in 1984, Higher Ground Ministries was formed, beginning from the ground roots level in his home.
Pastor Kerry will be remembered as having a true servant heart. He has been solidly committed to the call and his life reflected leadership in everything he did. Pastor Kerry oversaw many churches that have branched out from Higher Ground Ministries. Several pastors have submitted their churches under the umbrella of wisdom and protection that Pastor Kerry brought. He has truly been a pastor to pastors. More important, his outreach to our community was steadfast. His devotion to the youth of our community was strong, devoting three entire floors of the Higher Ground Ministries to children and youth.
To his family, Pastor Kerry will be remembered as the ultimate family man. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed camping trips with his family and vacations on Martha's Vineyard Island. To his beloved grandchildren; he will be forever remembered as "Pops" or "Papa." He loved them dearly and his loss will be immeasurable.
He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife; Virginia "Ginny" C. (Pisaruk) Twing with whom he celebrated nearly 31 wonderful years of marriage, his parents; Donald A. and Dorothy (Hancock) Twing of Westminster, two daughters; Katie M. Kamenski and her husband Jon of Westminster and Sarah E. Hessel and her husband Dave of Westminster, three sisters; Kathy A. Fredericks and her husband Steven of Plymouth, Janie D. Higgs and her husband John of Littleton, Colorado and Jackie Trainque and her husband Paul of Westminster, four grandchildren; James Twing, Jake Hessel, Jessica Kamenski and Levi Hessel and several nephews and nieces. Pastor Kerry was very excited about the birth of his newest granddaughter; Carly Kamenski who will be born in nearly five weeks.