Photo by Margaret Thomsen Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook has called Pastor Joseph Hackett to be their minister. He will begin on January 2, 2019. The Search Committee presented Pastor and Chirs Hackett with a welcome gift following the announcement of his call by the congregation, Pictured are Search Committee Co-chair Deb Osborn and Pastor Joseph and Chris Hackett.

Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook wholeheartedly called Pastor Joseph Hackett as Pastor beginning January 2, 2019. Co-chair of the Search Committee Jeanne Paustian said, ” We were impressed with Pastor Hackett with the first interview. He was so enthusiastic, had great speaking ability and showed involvement in community service.” Pastor and Chris Hackett are natives of he Milwaukee area. The ministry is his second career. For over 30 years he was a firefighter/EMT and finished that career as an Assistant Chief of EMS Operations. He has an EMT license for Iowa and Wisconsin. He is currently enrolled at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary finishing up his Masters of Divinity degree online. His undergrad degree is in History from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Chris is a medical technologist/microbiologist turned lead application analyst for Ascension Technologies. Pastor states, “She is blessed to be able to work remotely and says the commute time is awesome!” The Hacketts are a blended family with three grown boys. Matt is 24 and a firefighter/EMT Live-In with the Hyattsville Fire Department in Prince George’s County in Maryland. He also works as a hydraulic line field technician. He is an Eagle Scout and enjoys the outdoors. Nick is 23 and is a heavy industrial welder specializing in operations that include sterilized products such as food companies, breweries and pharmaceutical companies. He travels most of the time and is an avid bird hunter. Matthew is 21 and in his final year at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse majoring in Clinical Laboratory Science. He has started his CLS Internship at Gunderson-Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse. He played football and lacrosse in high school and plays lacrosse at the college level. Matthew and his girlfriend, Lauren, will both graduate in May. Pastor Hackett states, “Volunteering is such an integral part of who Chris and I are. We both are active in the Ackley-Geneva Lions Club. Chris also serves as Vice President and trustee for the Iowa Lions Foundation representing District 9NC. I serve as the Iowa Wing Commander for the Civil Air Patrol USAF Auxiliary. I oversee all operations for the state of Iowa including search and rescue, aircraft operations, aerospace education and cadet (youth) leadership development. Through church, we have been involved in our community Kids for Christ program, community collections for those in need, book club, men’s breakfast ministry, prayer bead ministry and Vacation Bible School. We are very excited to explore the various opportunities to be involved at Peace United Church of Christ and the community of Gladbrook.” A Thanksgiving meal to welcome Pastor Joseph and Chris Hackett followed the morning services.