Minister and Ministries
Meet Pastor Char
I began ordained ministry in 1996 after decades of serving God and the church. As a lay person I’ve participated in youth groups, prayer groups, bible studies, served as a United Methodist Women’s president, was a member of the Elgin District Education Committee as well as other positions on the Northern Illinois Annual Conference and North Central Jurisdictional Conference.
But I always knew God was calling me into pastoral ministry and I was ordained Deacon in 1996 and Elder two years later. Lifelong education is very important to me. After receiving a Masters of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, I received a Doctors of Divinity degree in preaching in 2013.
I’ve previously served as pastor in Polo, Evergreen, Park, River Forest, Villa Park, and Antioch. I am currently the Clergy Advisor to the North Central Jurisdiction Men’s Ministry group and have special interest in fostering men’s leadership in the local church. I’ve been pastor of Hebron United Methodist Church since July of 2020.
Contact Pastor Char Hoffmann:
E-mail – charh-pastor@att.net
Phone: (815) 728-3036
Our Beliefs
We are a local congregation of The United Methodist Church. Following the roots of Methodism, our church is devoted to putting faith and love into action and our primary mission is “Creating pathways to serve and love God’s people.” Keeping our mission in mind, our vision for all our ministries is that “We will be God’s inclusive love.”
United Methodist preaching and teaching is grounded in scripture, informed by Christian tradition, enlivened by personal experience, and tested by reason. Read more here.
Central to our mission is finding ways to be Christ’s hands, feet, and heart beyond the doors of our local church. There are a number of ways you can make a difference by participating in our N.O.W. ministries. Feel free to e-mail any of our N.O.W chairs to learn more!
Nurture Ministry
Nurture Co-Chairs
You can e-mail Shirlee Correll at offqueen@aol.com
Outreach Ministry
The Outreach Ministry Team is committed to publicly witnessing, advocating, and providing opportunities to act, encouraging Hebron to prophetically bring God’s vision to reality. We find inspiration in the United Methodist Social Creed and Litany and Social Principles.
A prime focus of our Outreach Ministry team is fighting hunger. Almost 7 of every 100 residents in McHenry County experience food insecurity each month. Hebron UMC is dedicated to fighting hunger: our PADS program (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) assists homeless people with meals, we systematically make donations to the Hebron Community Food Bank, we offer a community wide Thanksgiving meal, and we participate in Peace with Justice Sunday.
Outreach Co-Chairs
You can e-mail Kate Johnson at katherine.eileen.johnson@gmail.com
Witness Ministries
Our Witness Ministry Team leads evangelistic outreach and shares Hebron UMC’s faith stories, oversees communications, lay speaking ministries, and other means that lifts up Jesus Christ. You can learn about what we’re doing at the moment by checking our our monthly newsletter Catch the Spirit!
Witness Co-Chairs
You can e-mail Stephanie Claussen at juststephers
You can e-mail Dave Dickey at dadickey1@gmail.com
A Word on our Beginnings
Hebron UMC can trace its roots to serving the community back more than 150 years. Formed out of a partnership with Richmond Methodists, the conference officially recognized Hebron with the appointment of Reverend Calvin Brookins in 1857 who ministered to three Methodist class meetings in the Hebron area. The first church was constructed in 1862 on land donated by Zenas Purse. In 1896 due to tremendous growth in the church and community Hebron received its own pastor. Over the years Hebron has engaged with the people beyond its church walls in numerous meaningful ways.
