When Angie Hoen graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2021 with a Master of Divinity degree and certificates in Preaching and Wesleyan Studies, she carried with her a passion for ministry and a deep commitment to the nurturing of God’s kingdom.
Today, as the sole pastor at Mathews Chapel United Methodist Church in Cobbs Creek, Va., Hoen has found a calling that intertwines her love for creation, community, and the Gospel.
Mission-Focused Rural Ministry
Mathews Chapel UMC is steeped in historical significance, tracing its roots back to the origins of Methodism. Located within the surroundings of the Piankatank River, Mobjack Bay, and Chesapeake Bay, the church’s rural setting inspires Hoen’s dedication to creation care.
“The importance of creation care is pronounced in this rural setting, and it sets my soul on fire to care for the environment,” she explains. And her work goes far beyond environmental stewardship. Hoen’s ministry focuses on empowering the laity to discover their God-given gifts for missional ministry and forging new connections with young families in the community.
“Jesus is sending us forth from the church walls to meet people where they are,” she says. “This is my passion: holistic vitality for God’s kingdom.”
Building on a Duke Divinity Foundation
Hoen credits her time at Duke Divinity School for shaping her into the pastor she is today.
“My time at Duke prepared me for my current pastoral setting through mentorship, spiritual formation, an outstanding education, honing my work ethic, character development, and opportunities to meet a diverse group of students and friends,” she says.
The rigor of Duke’s scholastic program and the support of professors and classmates created what Hoen calls an “interconnected web” that helped her thrive.
“The intensity of the scholastic program afforded me an opportunity to thrive by the incarnational grace of Jesus,” she shares. “This is an important lesson that I carry into any pastoral setting.”
Hoen’s Duke education remains an invaluable resource in her ministry. “I refer back to most of my coursework to prepare for preaching and teaching,” she says.
Her current studies on the Book of Revelation and the Psalms, for example, draw heavily on the foundational knowledge she gained in her Old and New Testament courses.
“Preaching courses have stood out as important, especially with the liturgical calendar and public proclamation,” she explains. “Honestly, I can say that every class has been important as a foundation and framework for my current work,” Hoen says.
When asked why someone should consider attending Duke Divinity School, Hoen doesn’t hesitate. “There is no better place to be,” she says. “It is a sacred and holy place of higher education. Plus, have you heard about our basketball team? Go, Duke!”
Inside and Outside of the Church Building
While her coursework laid the groundwork for her ministry, Hoen acknowledges that some lessons could only be learned on the job. Her field education placements at Highlands UMC and through Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Riverside Convalescent-Mathews and Tappahannock Hospital were instrumental in preparing her for the complexities of ministry.
Stepping into her first pastoral appointment revealed the nuances of church life that no classroom could fully capture. “I have discovered that active listening and encouraging participation of all voices is necessary,” she says.
Living day-to-day life with her congregation has taught her the importance of navigating work-life boundaries while remaining deeply connected to the community both inside and outside the church.
Hoen sees her ministry as a testament to the idea that God’s work is not confined to church buildings. “We take the light of Christ wherever we go,” she says.
“We house the sacred temple of the Holy Spirit both individually and together. We must also meet the people wherever they are.”
For Hoen, this perspective aligns perfectly with the mission of Duke Divinity School, which she describes as an “exemplar” of sending graduates into the world to do God’s work.
She says, “As we go forward in God’s ecumenical and interfaith work, it is good to remember that ‘The world is my parish,’ as John Wesley said.”