Bio information on new associate pastor start July 1

Rev. R. Aaron Hobbs

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

         2007-Present     Executive Pastor

                                    Fishers United Methodist Church                                          Fishers, IN

·       Primary duties include: weekly preaching and worship leadership, teaching, pastoral care, leading Confirmation, assisting with the operation of the Come to Me Food Pantry, and supervision of the program, administrative, financial, and custodial staff of the congregation.

            2003-2007       Pastor

New Market and Waveland-Covenant United Methodist Churches (2-Point Charge)

·       Solo pastor of two rural churches in Montgomery County.

·       Primary duties included: preaching, teaching, pastoral care, missions, outreach, and administration.

·       Managed two church-owned rental properties.

2002-2003           Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries

Sunrise at Geist United Methodist Church                            Indianapolis, IN

·       Led Youth Ministry Program and developed family ministry opportunities.

·       Assisted with weekly worship, volunteer supervision, and pastoral care. 

2001-2002       Program Coordinator & Associate Pastor

Brightwood Community Center                                             Indianapolis, IN

& St. Paul-Brightwood United Methodist Church

·       Developed and supervised programs for children, youth, and adults.

·       Supervised volunteer and paid staff.

·       Directed the Brightwood Summer Program for Youth and Children.

·       Led Wesley Foundation college interns in vocational discernment process.  

·       Assisted with weekly worship and pastoral care. 

            1998-2000       Children’s Ministry Coordinator & Director of After-School Ministries      

Zionsville United Methodist Church                                     Zionsville, IN

·       Trained and coordinated children’s ministry volunteers and staff.

·       Co-chaired the ZUMC Board of Education.

·       Developed and directed the R.O.C.K. After-School Program for K-8 grade students.

·       Supervised Confirmation program and Vacation Bible School.  

EDUCATION

2000-2003       Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary                           Evanston, IL

·       M.Div.

– Presidential Scholarship Recipient

1991-1995       Indiana University (IUPUI)                                                    Indianapolis, IN

·       B.S. (Elementary Education)

CONNECTIONAL MINISTRY

            2006-2008       Member of the South Indiana Conference  Board of Ordained Ministry

·       Chairperson of the Clergy Recruitment & Retention Task Force

            2005-2008       Member of the South Indiana Conference Board of Outdoor Ministries

·       5^th & 6^th Grade Age-Level Program Coordinator 

·       Director of 5^th & 6^th Grade Sports Camp

2005-2008       Member of the South Indiana Conference Board of Young Adult Ministry

·       U.M. University Chaplain & Campus Minister Liaison

2004-2008           Member of the S.I.C. Continuing Formation Panel

SPECIALIZED SKILLS & TRAINING

• Disciple Bible Study Trained Leader.
• Community Development Grant Writing Experience (Summer Program Fund & Annie E. Casey Foundation).
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Methodist Hospital.
• Trinity Mission (Residential Substance Abuse Program for Woman) Worship Leader.
• Red Bird Mission Work Team Leader.
• Habitat for Humanity Work Project Participant.

INTERESTS

I enjoy golfing, fishing, snow skiing, drawing, traveling, reading, hiking, listening to live music, watching Chelsea F.C. play soccer, and spending time with my 3-year old daughter, Emma.

PERSONAL

I am blessed to be married to Michele-Justus Hobbs who is a third grade teacher at Eastbrook Elementary in Pike Township.  I was Ordained Elder in Full Connection in 2006 in the former South Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  My mother and brother-in-law are also United Methodist Elders in the Indiana Conference.   

A Brief Bio for Rev. R. Aaron Hobbs

Pastor Aaron Hobbs comes to us after serving as the Executive Pastor of Fishers UMC for the past four years.  Aaron grew up in Shelbyville, IN and attended the University of Indianapolis and IUPUI, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education in 1995.  After teaching first-grade in IPS for two years, he felt called to teach in a different setting and started an after-school program at Zionsville UMC. 

In 2000 Aaron responded to God’s persistent call on his life to enter into the ordained ministry, and shortly after meeting his bride-to-be, Michele, he headed off to seminary at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL.  Following seminary Aaron served a two-point charge for four years as the pastor of two churches near Crawfordsville, IN (Michele’s hometown).

Michele is a third-grade teacher at Eastbrook Elementary School in Pike Township.  Three years ago Aaron and Michele were blessed by the birth of their daughter, Emma.  The Hobbs family enjoys traveling, summer concerts in the park, and spending time with family and friends.  Aaron also likes to read, play golf, ski, and watch the Cubs, the Colts, the Boilers, and Chelsea F.C. play.  Aaron, Michele, Emma, and their two cats have called Noblesville home for the past 8 years, and they look forward to serving Christ together with everyone at Noblesville First.