Ozarks Profile: Rev. David W. Hockensmith Jr., DMin

Tell us about your organization.
The Council of Churches of the Ozarks is a faith-based human-services organization with its headquarters in Springfield. It serves southwest Missouri through 12 projects on behalf of 85 member churches (21 denominations), 130 employees and thousands of volunteers and donors.

Our mission statement reads: "The mission of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks is to improve the quality of life through cooperative ecumenical outreach in the name of Jesus Christ, by doing together what we can do best together."

How did you arrive in this position?
I was invited to lead Council of Churches of the Ozarks following 14 years as senior minister of the Village Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma City.

What challenges do you face in your work?
The greatest single challenge is keeping abreast of the human needs in the community and the services Council of Churches of the Ozarks provides to meet those needs. This is a complex organization that requires a lot of TLC.

What's most rewarding about your job?
Helping real people with real needs receive real help.

Tell us about your family.
My wife, Julie, and I have three grown daughters and two grandchildren. Julie teaches in the English for Academic Purposes program at Drury University. She is also an accomplished vocalist.

What are your hobbies?
We love our backyard. The birds enjoy the feeder and the fountain. I enjoy the birds. I am also an armchair model railroader.

Did you ever consider another career?
Sure. In junior high I wanted to be a park ranger. In high school I wanted to be a naval officer. But my call to ministry set me on another course. In 35 years I have enjoyed ministry as a military chaplain, university administrator and teacher, pastor and now a not-for-profit executive.

I have enjoyed every setting and challenge. It doesn't get any better than that.