After several interim pastors, the First Presbyterian Church
selects Mike Hogg to fill the post permanently
During the monthly chapel time Monday at the Presbyterian
Co-operative Preschool, new Pastor Mike Hogg led a bible story time
for the children.
After several interim pastors, the First Presbyterian Church selects Mike Hogg to fill the post permanently
During the monthly chapel time Monday at the Presbyterian Co-operative Preschool, new Pastor Mike Hogg led a bible story time for the children.
Hogg and his family moved to the area two months ago, when he took over the First Presbyterian Church in Hollister, which had for the last few years worked under the direction of interim pastors.
“We are so excited to have a full-time pastor after a few years of interim pastors,” said Tricia Brem, the director of the preschool. “We have someone that can interact with all the children and families of the church and the preschool.”
Hogg and his wife Christina moved to the area from New Orleans after he was selected by a church committee as a good fit. He and Christina have five children, including one who is attending Monte Vista Christian School and another enrolled in the special education program at San Benito High School.
On the recent morning, he took center stage with the children in the preschool.
“It’s fun to have you in the sanctuary,” he said to the kids, holding up a book. “Some of you might know this book – it’s a Bible. It tells how God made the Earth and the animals.”
He told them the story of creation by paraphrasing how God asked Adam to name all the animals. He held up a book with pictures of animals and asked the kids to name them. They included a butterfly, a sea gull, a beaver and a skunk. Then he followed up by telling the story of Adam and Eve, using a live snake to keep the children’s attention.
The snake, a python, wrapped itself around a stick that Hogg held up with one hand.
“He has to crawl on the ground because he did something bad,” Hogg said, explaining that the snake told Adam and Eve to eat an apple that God told them not to eat.
After the story, the kids sang a song and Hogg joined in, following along with the kids’ arm motions.
He said he enjoys working with the kids, but there are other reasons he is looking forward to his work in Hollister, too.
“With the Presbyterian church, you send your resume around like any other job,” he said. “A committee is formed and you pray. They thought it would be a good pastoral presence.”
He said he is most looking forward to working at the church to help grow the ministries.
“My philosophy is not to be a minister who does everything, but who empowers people,” Hogg said.
He added that the community seemed like a good place for his family, adding that some of his children are in college.
“And there’s DeBrito’s Chocolate,” he joked, of trying the local confections recently. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the people and becoming part of the town.”
The Presbyterian Co-Operative Preschool
The Presbyterian Co-Operative Preschool has spaces available in their afternoon sessions for children ages 3 to 5.
The program provides supervised play such as arts and crafts, puzzles, dramatic play, blocks, sand play, cooking projects and carpentry; teacher directed music, movement, finger plays and stories (including Bible stories); stimulating fine small motor and large motor development; sharing experiences for each child; special events for holidays, classroom parties and special guests; professional photos for each child; and multiple field trips.
To attend children must be 3 years old, toilet trained, have a current immunization record and complete a registration packet signed by a physician. Parents are expected to participate in orientation and other meetings, and to volunteer time in the classes.
The child/adult ratio is 5:1. Class size is a maximum of 15 students. The school is state credentialed and has a school board of parent volunteers.
For more information, call 630-1234 or visit www.hollisterpresbyterianpreschool.com. The school is located at 2066 San Benito St., in Hollister.
