Installed June 12, 1997- Pastor Bill had served for five years at 1st Presbyterian Church of Pemberville, Ohio. He had served a few internships in seminary including a summer internship at Schuller's Crystal Cathedral. He received his M. Div degree from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, Calif in 1989 and Doctorate in Ministry from Pittsburgh Seminary in 2007. Pastor Bill's comment- "I'm greatly indebted to Bethel for giving me the time and encouragement. The dedication page of my thesis book is to Bethel." The pastor enjoyed running and could be see almost any morning running the country roads. His candidate sermon at Bethel included an unforgettable childrens message. Children were asked to come forward and Bill said "follow me," and off he went at a run up one aisle and down the other with the children in close pursuit. While at Bethel he performed 23 marriages & 84 baptisms and was the longest serving pastor since the pastorate of Rev. Dice (1877-1914). Bill and Amy were married August 20, 1983 and celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2008. They have six children. Anna, Kevin, twins Joe & Ben. Amy had always wanted to adopt a child in need. In August 2006 they traveled to Ethiopia and adopted two, Bereket, a son and Tensai, a daughter. Rev. Hoffman is now senior pastor of East Main Presbyterian Church of Grove City,Pa.
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