Dr. Suzanne Heckman

Who I Am

After being raised in the Christian faith, but not knowing Jesus personally, Suzanne came to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ in her mid-30’s, a couple of years after graduating from the University of Florida Veterinary School.  She learned of CVM through their presence at the veterinary conferences she attended, and though Suzanne felt called to go on a short-term mission trip with CVM, for many years, the timing was never right.

In 2017, once Suzanne’s 4 children were grown and almost a decade after her marriage ended, and years after God-directed recovery work in the ministry of Celebrate Recovery, she was finally able to go with CVM on a short-term trip to Costa Rica. God’s timing was perfect, and it was a transforming experience! After a few more years of short-term missions, Suzanne felt a nudge toward long-term service. She attended CVM Short Course in May of 2020 and was challenged there: “Instead of asking, ‘Should I go, Lord?’, ask, ‘Should I not go?’” After much studying of Scripture and prayerful conversations with God, the Lord confirmed her call to long-term missions, and gave her peace that even with all her perceived past failures and present weaknesses she would be an asset to the ministry He would place her in to serve His purposes!

My Work / My Partner

After a year of language and culture learning in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia, Suzanne will serve Christ in the ongoing effort to establish Christian veterinary student (VetRed) groups as well as veterinary professional groups within each veterinary school in Bolivia. She will focus on encouraging leaders, discipling young believers, and sharing the Gospel to bring new believers into the faith, both on the school campuses and during community outreach clinics put on by the VetRed groups.