St. James welcomes new spiritual leader

St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Haven, IN, is thankful and blessed that Reverend Martha Hampton has accepted a call to serve as pastoral/spiritual leader.

Reverend Martha “Marty” Hampton comes to St. James with more than 20 years of experience serving as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  Currently Pastor Marty serves as a Shared Pastor with Faith Lutheran, Fort Wayne, and St. James.

Born and raised in a south suburb of Chicago, IL, Pastor Marty attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.  Pursuing the call to ministry following college rather than teaching, she then attended the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago where she earned her Masters of Divinity.  She was ordained in 1999 and has served congregations in Tomah, WI, West Salem, WI, Marion, IN, and Fort Wayne, IN.

She is married to David for more than 20 years and they have two children together.

When not attending to pastoral responsibilities, Pastor Marty serves as a Girl Scout leader and a volunteer with her children’s school and band.  She also enjoys cooking and reading, as well as hiking and camping, particularly in the many National Parks of the USA.