Education & Experience

• Fairhaven Baptist College
  (B.A. Pastoral Theology) 2011
• Crown Seminary
  (M.Min.) 2021, (M.Div.) in progress
• Bob Jones Seminary
  (Graduate Certificate in Counseling) in progress
• Milwaukee Police Academy / MPD District 5
  (Police Officer, C.I.T. Training, M.I.R.T.) 2023

Pastor Paul J. Hoover grew up at Souls Harbor. He served as youth pastor at Souls Harbor during his college years, and at Heritage Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas (2012-2014), under the leadership of Pastor Jason Atwood.  Paul and his wife moved back to Milwaukee in May 2014. He co-pastored with his father, and was then installed as the senior pastor on September 25, 2016.

On a Sunday night, one month from Paul’s 5th birthday, Dr. Roger Voegtlin was preaching at Souls Harbor. It was during this service that God’s conviction was so great, he walked forward during the invitation. That night he prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior.  While still in elementary school there was a period of time where he doubted his salvation, but he settled those doubts though reading the Bible and taking the Lord at His Word.

In 2003, Paul was called into Gospel ministry and involved himself in the work of the Lord.  Paul is passionate about serving God’s people, and reaching the lost with the Gospel.  God has given Paul a heart for the bus ministry, discipleship and Biblical counseling.  His life verse is Romans 1:16.

In 2021, during a time of widespread political and social unrest, God placed a burden on Pastor Paul Hoover’s heart for the growing needs of urban communities. With a renewed commitment to the city of Milwaukee, Pastor Paul preached a series of messages from Acts 8:8, urging the congregation to embrace their mission to share Christ’s love in our city.

Seeking a deeper connection with the city and its challenges, Pastor Paul pursued training at the Milwaukee Police Academy, graduating in 2023. He was later assigned to serve as a Police Officer in District 5, a diverse area that includes the artistic and eclectic Riverwest neighborhood as well as the 53206 ZIP code, known for its high incarceration rates and systemic struggles.

Through his time in law enforcement, Pastor Paul has gained valuable insight into the complexities of urban life.  This has helped him to better understand the spiritual and practical needs of our church and community as we endeavor to share the love of Christ in every corner of Milwaukee.

Paul and Michelle have three children (Silas, Calloway and Adrian).