Welcome to HeartFirst Ministries

About HeartFirst Ministries...

HeartFirst Ministries came about through the marriage of Bessie and Roy Rhoades in 2002. Realizing that God had drawn them together with like hearts and desires (though very different personalities and preferences!) they sought the Lord as to what would be their calling together.

Roy and Bessie felt pulled by a desire to reach and love internationals. They felt a strong desire and anointing to pray for those with broken and wounded hearts. They felt a compelling and grace of the Spirit to bring the Father’s heart through compassionate prophetic and inner healing ministry to those they met. They longed to see people saved by the love of God and a true experience of His presence rather than a “head knowledge” of the Scriptures or of the Savior. The common denominator of their desires to express the Father’s giftings seemed to be that every one of their desires involved the heart.

Knowing God’s word exhorts us to “rend our hearts, and not our garments,” Roy and Bessie knew this means everything we do in life is to be done “Heartfirst,” not head first. God is looking for more than just outward obedience or appearance. Since this is God’s focus, they embraced it to make it theirs. Quite simply, this couple only wants to do what they “see the Father doing.”

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Roy Rhoades

Roy Rhoades is an ordained minister and has given himself to ministry for more than 30 years. experience includes extensive campus ministry, church planting, leadership development, prayer and healing ministry, writing, counseling, and various social ministries.

Roy has felt a great void in the Body of Christ in understanding Father God and the reality of His love. Along with his wife Bessie, they have offered conference, personal and prophetic ministry over the last several years to show the love of God and bring liberty to the hearts of God's people.

With HIM ministries and others, Roy has traveled internationally to many locations (most recently India) ministering the power and presence of Jesus in meetings around the world.

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Bessie Watson Rhoades

Bessie’s background was quite different. Raised in the nation’s Capital, she worked on Capital Hill since she was 15 years old. After completing her studies at George Mason University, she served on the personal staffs of Senator John Glenn and Senator Barry Goldwater as a writer. She then moved to the West during a Goldwater campaign, and became involved in advertising and media both to ministries and secular and political organizations. She founded her own business, Creative Best, in the late 1980’s and continues her writing career today. Saved and filled with the Holy Spirit in 1976, she has been extensively trained in the prophetic and used powerfully in it as well as inner healing ministry and teaching. Her many, many, many years as a single woman gave her ample opportunity!

She has always had a heart for the nations and speaks fluent Spanish. The Lord, knowing this, of course sent her to India on her first mission with her husband. More of the story has yet to be written…

Matt Tommey

Matt's been leading worship now for over 18 years in conferences, retreats and local churches both in the US and internationally. He is a prolific songwriter with a passion to lead people into the Glory Realm of God. Matt believes it's only through intimacy with Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit that real transformation can take place in our lives. As Matt leads worship, he takes worshippers on a journey into the presence of God, often ministering prophetically from the keyboard

A significant portion of Matt's calling is to raise up worshippers and artists, much like a modern-day 'Asaph'. Currently, he's mentoring groups of young worship leaders both at the Cartersville IHOP and Riverstone Church, as well as in conferences.

Matt is married to Tanya and they have one son, Cameron. They live in Ashville, North Carolina and attend King of Glory Church in Asheville where Matt is the worship leader.