We, Pastor Michael (Mike) and Patricia (Pat) Herdt are taking this opportunity to say hello, so when we meet, you will already know something about us.

I embraced a calling from God into the pastoral ministry later in life, completing my seminary education in 2008 via Saint Paul's School of Theology (a United Methodist seminary) in Kansas City Missouri. I have served in pastoral ministry since 2001. In 2000, I served as a "Faith Community Developer" and wrote a ministry plan to begin a new church start. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the work of Pastor Greg and those of you who brought New Hope into being is the fruit of that plan. My wife Patricia embraced a calling into the pastoral ministry in 2007 and has served in that ministry for five years. Her special gifts are in music and Christian education. She is currently on incapacity leave while trying to adjust to a rare auto immune disease that has interrupted her life.

We both have served as lay worship leaders, have led numerous small group settings, have fifteen years of youth group ministry experience, and have attended and served "Walk to Emmaus" and "Via de Cristo."

Prior to pastoral ministry, I was an Electronics Test Engineer and Pat worked in Christian Education. We embraced seventeen years of military life (Navy) together while raising a young family. We believe those years prepared us for a life in pastoral ministry together.

Our son Michael-36, resides in Kentucky, just completed 11 years active duty Army and has 2 children, Sacha-17 and Quintin-14. Our oldest daughter Mindy-34, is married to John Bartelt, lives in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and has 2 sons, Ethan-10 and Alex-8. Our youngest daughter Adrienne -32, is married to Rev. Trent Saari of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, lives in Lake Havasu City, AZ, and has a daughter, Hannah-6.

We have a four-legged son at home, Charlie Brown, a Carin Terrier, who will be 11 in August. My favorite hobbies are reading, fishing, and gardening; Pat's are crafts, singing, reading, and playing her guitar. As a couple, we enjoy the game of golf, camping, long walks, and riding our bikes.

One of our favorite passages of Scripture is Romans 10:14-15:

"14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

We look forward to serving our Lord together with you as we continue this journey of faith in Christ in the De Pere area.          

Rev. Mike & Pat Herdt