Associate Pastor 3

Rev. Josh Hale

Associate Pastor

College & Youth Adult Minister

Rev. Joshua W. Hale is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. He was appointed to Wesley UMC April 1, 2007 as an associate pastor, primarily ministering with college students and young adults.

Josh grew up in Friendswood, Texas, on the southeast side of Houston, and was active at Friendswood UMC as a child and youth. After graduating from Friendswood High School, he attended Rice University (Houston, TX), graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies in May 2002. Josh then attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta, GA), and was awarded the Master of Divinity degree in May 2005.

While in school, Josh worked in ministry with St. Paul's UMC (Houston, TX) and Grayson UMC (Grayson, GA). His first pastoral appointment was to the British Methodist Church as a minister on the Scunthorpe Circuit, Lincoln & Grimsby District. Josh continues to serve as the campus minister for the Wesley Student Center at Lamar University, which he began in August 2006.

In the ministry to which he has been called, Josh believes most strongly in the love of God in Jesus Christ for all people, and in the church's call to serve that love. Faith means growth in grace and in the knowledge and love of God, living into a human community that is truly alive. This is the invitation which he hopes will especially go out to young adults and college students.

Josh met his wife Christie at seminary, and they were married in 2003. Christie is the pastor of first United Methodist Church, Port Arthur, Texas. They have an eloquent four year old son Ben and a bright-eyed two year old daughter Ellie.

Josh enjoys spending time with his family, baseball, backpacking and being outdoors, reading (especially science fiction), and exploring the intricacies of theology.