We are pleased to welcome the Rev. Aaron Hicks to Albany Presbytery as the new pastor of Brunswick Church. After 20 years of ministry in Spain, he and his family have returned to upstate New York to begin this new chapter. Take a few moments to learn more about his journey to ministry, his family’s time in Spain, and what he looks forward to as he begins serving the Brunswick congregation.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My wife Holly and I met as undergraduate students at Cornell University in the early 1990’s and developed a friendship that eventually led to marriage. In 1998 I earned my M.Div. at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Presbyterian pastor that same year. For the next seven years, we lived on eastern Long Island where I worked as Associate Pastor of Mattituck Presbyterian Church. It was during this time that we adopted two children and then had two more the old-fashioned way.
In 2006 my wife and I and our four children moved to southern Spain, to work in the areas of evangelism, discipleship and church-planting. While in Spain I was the founding and lead pastor of Reconciliation Church, President of the Granada Pastors Association, and Professor of Church History at the Granada Theological School. We fell in love with Spain and all things Spanish.
After 20 years living in Spain, we decided to move back to upstate New York this past summer, and I became Pastor at Brunswick Church starting in October. It has been a momentous life decision, but one in which we have sensed God’s merciful leading in tangible ways. We are thrilled to be here!
Will you share a little about your hobbies with us?
In my free time, I enjoy mountain climbing, cycling and studying history, in particular Sephardic, Reformation and Colonial American history, while my wife Holly enjoys running and classical literature.
Is there anything in particular that brought you to the Capital District area?
My connection with Brunswick goes back to the mid-1990’s when Rev. Harry Heintz became a mentor of mine at Gordon-Conwell Seminary. For the last 20 years, Brunswick Church has supported us faithfully in our mission work. The idea of becoming pastor of Brunswick was unexpected, but has felt like “coming home” in so many ways.
How did you decide to go into ministry?
Over my fours years as an undergraduate student, I became increasingly passionate about being involved in Christian ministry. Then in my final year as a student, I felt a strong inner call to vocational ministry which was later confirmed by the local church.
What are you most looking forward to in your ministry as pastor at Brunswick Church?
Over this next year I am looking forward to listening, learning, and loving the people of Brunswick Church, as I seek to be a minister of Word and Sacrament who is passionate about preaching and teaching the Bible, caring for those in need, and “equipping the saints for the work of ministry.”
