December 1st - February 23rd
I grew up in a large family with 8 siblings and parents who loved the Lord and were diligent in teaching and living out the truth of the Gospel. God completely convinced me he was real and the sovereign ruler of the universe when I was 13. I started my journey of ministry when I was 18 by moving to Mississippi for disaster relief work. While I was there I also interned under the youth pastor at Lemoyne Blvd Baptist church and Youth For Christ. I was blessed with Godly and patient men who helped me learn preaching and discipleship.
After a couple years I moved back to Wisconsin and volunteered as a youth leader and eventually youth director at a Presbyterian church in the Dells for 3 years while Guiding at Expeditions Unlimited during the summers.
I got married to my beautiful wife (Johanna) and partner in ministry in 2013. We ran two discipleship programs at Expeditions Unlimited and volunteered in Walnut Hill’s youth group. In 2020 we left Expeditions Unlimited and started a small business but had accepted the position of High school ministry deacon and loved serving under Jesse Wells. After Jesse left to pursue a new ministry we felt the Lord leading us to offer to fill in during the search for a youth pastor.
We love being a part of what the Lord is doing in the youth of our church.
We have 5 wonderful additional members to our family
Sabrina, Ariel, Jedidiah, Malachi and Sophie
Mary Hackbarth has served a variety of ministries over the years. She has been the Director of Children’s Ministry at Walnut Hill Bible Church since 2007, using her passion to come alongside parents in the role of mentoring their children in their faith, as well as being a part of helping parents and children understand the importance of their lifelong commitment to Christ.
Feeling a call to ministry and service at a young age drove her to get a bachelors degree in theology with a minor in theater, hoping to somehow intertwine the two. Walnut Hill has given her that opportunity as she has overseen the theater ministry within the church as well, including the annual production of the Buzz in Bethlehem.
Mary has a wonderful husband, Steve, and 3 amazing kids.
Isaiah 43:1b “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”