Called by Name

You may wonder who I am.

My name is Warren Hoffman. I grew up in the Church and accepted Christ at age 10. At 25, my heart caught fire. Since that time, I have been nurturing an intimate walk with Jesus. I firmly believe that all endeavors in the Church build on changed hearts and transformed lives.

My ministry experience has been varied. While attending seminary, I spent three years as a youth pastor. Then for four years I led a team of young adults assisting a small church in a low-income community near Salem (Ore.). I worked with Navajos for four years at a remote mission near Bloomfield (N.M.). For ten years I led a church planting in Oklahoma City. I served in leadership roles over the next 24 years with the Brethren in Christ Church, a faith community at the time of about 35,000 believers in 300 churches across the United States and Canada.

I wonder at times whether I fit easily into the usual ministry roles, e.g. pastor, associate, missionary, etc. I am an encourager, like Barnabas. So I am proceeding with Barnabas Initiatives as a way I can help to strengthen the Christian faith community.

I live in Elizabethtown (Pa.), with my wife, Connie. We have four adult daughters and 13 grandchildren. Connie and I enjoy camping, gardening, reading, and music. True to my Lancaster County (Pa.) roots, I am enthusiastic about pretzels and chocolate.

Whatever your nature, gifting, and interests, the Lord who created you says: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isa. 43:1)