Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic
Benjamin Hitzfeld

Benjamin Hitzfeld

Saint Joseph

Summary

Seasoned Pastor and Chaplain offering 15 years of experience in pastoral care and spiritual leadership to growing church and military community. Committed to creating thriving faith community and guiding individuals transformed by gospel. Successful background in organizational leadership, ministry program development and mission- oriented strategic planning.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Minister

Wyatt Park Christian Church
08.2021 - Current
  • Spiritual care for a congregation of 250 congregants through crisis care, counseling, officiating weddings, and funerals
  • Lead a team of 5 full-time staff, and 2 part-time staff.
  • Plan, prepare, and deliver Sunday morning sermons
  • Helped to lead a successful 4 year capital campaign project that raised over $800,000 (given and pledged).
  • Helped the congregation to recover after COVID and see an increase in total and average attendance every year since my arrival.

Senior Minister

First Christian Church
01.2019 - 07.2021
  • Spiritual care for a congregation of 150 congregants through crisis care, counseling, officiating weddings, and funerals
  • Led a team of 12 full-time staff, and 10 part-time staff (church and childcare).
  • Helped the congregation transition from a 150 year old historical location to a newly constructed campus.
  • Found new ways to help the congregation stay connected during COVID-19 restrictions (i.e. livestream worship, devotionals, pre-recorded videos).
  • Worked with a team of 12 Elders to start a congregational care program
  • Mentored and supervised a ministry intern and candidate for ordination.
  • In addition to weekly preaching, I started and led a midweek small group called "Common Grounds" that met in local coffee shops

Chaplain

Army Reserves
06.2016 - 04.2020
  • Provided spiritual support and care to over 2,000 soldiers and their family members.
  • Worked as a member of the Battalion Command Staff to plan and implement monthly worship services, and morale and welfare activities.
  • Supervised a Unit Ministry Team consisting of 3 staff members and coordinated ministry coverage of 8 units located throughout Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
  • Advised the Battalion Commander on matters pertaining to the free exercise of religion for all soldiers.
  • Ministered to solders of all ages and ranks through a ministry of presence philosophy - being with them, and doing what they do.

Senior Minister

Bastrop Christian Church
05.2013 - 12.2018
  • Spiritual care for a congregation of 175 congregants through crisis care, counseling, officiating weddings, and funerals.
  • Work with a team of 7 Elders to spiritually care for the congregation and strategically lead the congregation into the future In one of the fastest Growing counties in the United States.
  • Lead a team of 4 part-time employees overseeing the areas of: children and youth ministries, office administration, and worship.
  • Connect with a meet new visitors and help them find a place to grow and serve within the ministries of the congregation.
  • Helped the congregation to heal and grow following a church split.
  • Lead the congregation through rapid change. In 5 years, 65% of the congregation were new members that did not attend before my arrival.

Senior Minister

Darlington Christian Church
08.2009 - 04.2013
  • Spiritual care for a congregation of 100 congregants through crisis care, counseling, officiating weddings, and funerals.
  • Effectively communicated with congregation members By writing content for church newsletters, bulletins, and worship services.
  • Planned and conducted worship services.
  • Prepared and delivered weekly sermons.
  • Oversaw administration and management Of all areas of ministry.

Transportation Management Coordinator (88N)

Army Reserves
05.2001 - 05.2009
  • Served a 6 X 2 enlisted contract (6 years Reserve, 2 years Individual Ready Reserve)
  • Stateside deployment in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom (August 2002 - July 2003)



Education

Master of Arts - Divinity

Wesley Seminary At Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion
06.2015

Bachelor of Science - Bible / Pastoral Ministry

Manhattan Christian College
Manhattan, KS
05.2009

High School Diploma -

Junction City Sr High School
Junction City, KS
05.2002

Skills

  • Pastoral / congregational Care
  • Crisis management / grief care / counseling
  • Homiletics / preaching
  • Relationship building
  • Small group facilitation
  • Flexible and adaptable
  • Team player
  • Dependable
  • Leading through conflict and change
  • Respecting differences in a pluralistic environment

Accomplishments

  • Ordained with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
  • While attending the United States Army Chaplain Training Center, I was graded in the top 5% of my peers in homiletics (preaching).
  • Served as the President of the Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance For two years.
  • Was a founding board member for the Bastrop County Salvation Army.

Timeline

Senior Minister

Wyatt Park Christian Church
08.2021 - Current

Senior Minister

First Christian Church
01.2019 - 07.2021

Chaplain

Army Reserves
06.2016 - 04.2020

Senior Minister

Bastrop Christian Church
05.2013 - 12.2018

Senior Minister

Darlington Christian Church
08.2009 - 04.2013

Transportation Management Coordinator (88N)

Army Reserves
05.2001 - 05.2009

Master of Arts - Divinity

Wesley Seminary At Indiana Wesleyan University

Bachelor of Science - Bible / Pastoral Ministry

Manhattan Christian College

High School Diploma -

Junction City Sr High School

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