Get to Know our Coordinators:

Meet Heather!

Heather McIlrath serves as a coordinator in our Alexandria Bay Chapter.

1) What is your favorite childhood memory?

One of my favorite childhood memories is playing in the backyard, making up plays to perform for my parents, and sewing clothes for my dolls–all with my sisters.

2) What's the most daring thing you've ever done?

The most daring thing I’ve ever done was teach English in Poland with a mission organization the summer before my Junior year in College. I really picked up the Polish language and was allowed to travel on my own to visit the churches of some of my students and meet their families. It was so powerful to share the gospel and sing songs with other believers in such a different place.

3) What do you do for a career?

I am a high school English teacher at Alexandria Central School.

4) Are you married? Do you have children?

I am happily married to my best friend and partner in ministry. My husband is a pastor in Alexandria Bay, at the Reformed Church of the Thousand Isles. I have four amazing children. Karissa is married and she and her husband, Ridge, just had my first grandchild, Rockwell, who is amazing and adorable and absolutely perfect. She is a kindergarten teacher and teaches with me at Alexandria Central School. Ian was married last summer to Delaney and he too teaches with me (Junior High English) at ACS. Alethea is our miracle. She was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) at 8 months old and is now 20 years and healthy. She sings in our praise team at church. Elijah is a Junior at Alexandria Central High School, loves soccer and basketball, and plays the drums in the praise team.

5) Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to sing–especially worship music. I love to cook, but not necessarily bake.

6) If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

If I could do anything for a day, I would go out on the St. Lawrence River with my family.

7) Who is your favorite author?

I love Beth Moore. I love Priscilla Shirer. My two favorite novels are The Hiding Place by Corrie TenBoom and Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard.

8) If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?

I’m not sure I would.

9) Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?

I could not go one day without connection with my husband.

10) If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would

they be?

I would want more than anything to have a meal with just my mom. She has been suffering with severe dementia for nearly 10 years now and there are so many things that I would just like to ask her, pray about with her, tell her. I would want to show her pictures of her grandkids and great-grandson–the ones she’s been praying for for so very long. I would want to connect with her over spiritual things and have her pray over me again.

11) What made you want to be a coordinator for an Activ8Her chapter?

The Lord just touched my heart in such a powerful way at the 2021 Conference. It was like I could not avoid it. I went with Jodi Cullen and as we drove home, we could not stop talking about the call that was upon us and the need for Christ, Connection, and Biblical Truth in Women’s Ministry up here in the North Country.

12) What is a highlight of your chapter meetings?

I love the discussion and the love and vulnerability that is shared. I love to hear the ladies laughing and connecting even after the meeting is over. Real relationships are being formed–with the Lord and with each other.