PASTOR STEVE HAGER, MINISTER OF MUSIC

Steve Hager was born and raised in South Charleston, West Virginia.  Steve had heard the gospel most of his life, but didn't trust in Christ as his Savior until the age of 26, in response to an evangelistic Bible study given by his friend Paul Hoelzley.

At that same Bible study, Steve got to know a woman by the name of Pat Motovick, whom he later led to Christ, and eventually married.

The Hagers began married life together in Calgary, Alberta where they were youth leaders at Bethel Baptist Church.  While there, Steve was also part of the all-city youth committee for the Southern Alberta Billy Graham Crusade.

In 1985, the Hager family came to Grace Bible Church, where Steve has served as congregational hymn leader, and his wife Pat, as pianist.

Pastor Hager has a passion for the Word of God, and loves teaching God's Word.  "I am truly blessed," he says, "to have sat under the ministry of the Word here at Grace Bible Church, where I could learn and begin exercising my spiritual gift of teaching."

Pastor Hager became a deacon in 1987, and in 1992 was called as an elder to the church.  He also served as AWANA commander from 1991 to 1994.

The Hagers have four children:  their oldest son, Aaron and wife Tiffany, attend college in Arkansas; Jonathan is a student at Baylor University, and their two daughters, Natalie and Ilana, still reside at home.

The Hagers are truly a musical family - Pastor Hager is a professor in the School of Music at Texas State University where he teaches applied French Horn.  His wife Patricia is a professional harpist, and teaches out of the home.  Both have played for the Austin and San Antonio Symphonies, as well as with numerous other musical organizations throughout the United States and Canada.