Warren Hoffman, Pastor
Warren and his wife, Connie, recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. They have four adult daughters and 17 grandchildren.
Warren graduated from Messiah College (Grantham, Pa.) in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. In 1972, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from the American Baptist Seminary of the West (Covina, Calif.). He is the author of The Secret of the Harvest (Evangel Press, 1988) and Rooting for the Underdog (Barnabas Initiatives, 2018).
In 45 years of service in the Brethren in Christ church, Warren found joy in giving encouragement. In 2014, he founded Barnabas Initiatives as a way to encourage and assist churches to persevere through difficulties to health and vitality. Warren is convinced that efforts to encourage any individual church helps to strengthen the life and mission of the whole Christian faith community.
John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit.”
Warren and Connie enjoy camping, gardening, reading, and music. True to his Lancaster County and nearby Hershey (Pa.) roots, Warren is a pretzel and chocolate enthusiast.
Steph Kantz, Family Ministry Director
I grew up in upstate New York, where small towns and lakes dotted the valleys. Even now, being near water feels like home to me, so I’m grateful to live close to the Susquehanna River with my husband Wayne and our three kids. I have an education background, having spent time as a high school teacher, tutor, and professor of writing. Beneath that is a lifelong love of learning and growing together in community with others. That’s how I see the church—as a spiritual community and home, close like family. Even with its imperfections and brokenness, I’ve experienced God’s love and faithfulness through the people who are his church. As I serve alongside families, I want to welcome folks of all ages into a vibrant life together with Jesus.
A moment in Scripture that speaks to me comes from Genesis 16. Hagar, a woman running from desperate circumstances, is cared for by the Lord. She responds by naming her caregiver: “You are the God who sees me.” Another passage I return to again and again is John 15, where Jesus identifies his love as our life-source and calls us to love one another. And in his final moments, Jesus says, “Surely, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). We can walk together in these truths: we are seen, we are loved, and we are not alone.