Pat Hughes
Congregational Council Member
2026-2029
2026-2029
My name is Patrick Hughes. My wife is Suzy and together we have three children and four grandchildren. We have one more due in October.
Like many Lutherans, I was raised Roman Catholic. I grew up in Naperville and attended Saints Peter and Paul and Benet Academy.
I went to college out of state and graduated from University of Arizona with a degree in Finance. That led to a career in sales and sales management that kept me moving around the country until 1991 when I returned to Naperville. Before retiring in 2021, I was managing the sales team for the US division of a multinational company and sat on the executive committee.
When my children were young, I tried to raise them Catholic but the scandals of the 1980’s and 90’s, caused me to find another place of worship.
In 1996 my wife found and introduced me to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. At the time, the liturgy was similar and I felt comfortable with the change. I had two daughters confirmed and one married at Our Saviour’s. One of our grandsons was baptized there and Suzy’s parents and brother are inurned there. Our Saviour’s was an important part of my family’s life for 27 years.
The covid pandemic was a wake up call to many people, and it caused me to examine my faith. Fortunately, that led me to find truth in the Bible and put my trust in Jesus Christ.
When Our Saviour’s reopened, we found everything had changed and my wife and I needed to find a church that was biblically based. Our search led us to Good Shepherd where thankfully, our faith has thrived.
Shortly after filling out the connect card, I was invited to join the Wednesday morning Bible class. That led to men’s breakfast on Saturday and Robert Geise’s class on Science and Genesis. Later I joined a small group.
I currently volunteer monthly to bring refreshments to the buddy break volunteers and straighten the pew backs in the sanctuary weekly. Recently, I joined one of the two pastoral search committees.
I volunteered for a position on the church council because I believe in Good Shepherd’s mission and want to see our church thrive. As many Lutheran churches are shrinking, I consider the Forward Initiative necessary to demonstrate to our fellow parishioners and community that our church is growing, guided by a worthy mission. I have faith the improvements will energize our current members and be welcoming to visitors. People are eager to engage with an organization that is thriving.
I believe the mission of Good Shepherd is aligned with what Jesus asks from us. We must welcome all sinners to walk in the calling of Christ for a life of eternal impact. We are all sinners.
Like many Lutherans, I was raised Roman Catholic. I grew up in Naperville and attended Saints Peter and Paul and Benet Academy.
I went to college out of state and graduated from University of Arizona with a degree in Finance. That led to a career in sales and sales management that kept me moving around the country until 1991 when I returned to Naperville. Before retiring in 2021, I was managing the sales team for the US division of a multinational company and sat on the executive committee.
When my children were young, I tried to raise them Catholic but the scandals of the 1980’s and 90’s, caused me to find another place of worship.
In 1996 my wife found and introduced me to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. At the time, the liturgy was similar and I felt comfortable with the change. I had two daughters confirmed and one married at Our Saviour’s. One of our grandsons was baptized there and Suzy’s parents and brother are inurned there. Our Saviour’s was an important part of my family’s life for 27 years.
The covid pandemic was a wake up call to many people, and it caused me to examine my faith. Fortunately, that led me to find truth in the Bible and put my trust in Jesus Christ.
When Our Saviour’s reopened, we found everything had changed and my wife and I needed to find a church that was biblically based. Our search led us to Good Shepherd where thankfully, our faith has thrived.
Shortly after filling out the connect card, I was invited to join the Wednesday morning Bible class. That led to men’s breakfast on Saturday and Robert Geise’s class on Science and Genesis. Later I joined a small group.
I currently volunteer monthly to bring refreshments to the buddy break volunteers and straighten the pew backs in the sanctuary weekly. Recently, I joined one of the two pastoral search committees.
I volunteered for a position on the church council because I believe in Good Shepherd’s mission and want to see our church thrive. As many Lutheran churches are shrinking, I consider the Forward Initiative necessary to demonstrate to our fellow parishioners and community that our church is growing, guided by a worthy mission. I have faith the improvements will energize our current members and be welcoming to visitors. People are eager to engage with an organization that is thriving.
I believe the mission of Good Shepherd is aligned with what Jesus asks from us. We must welcome all sinners to walk in the calling of Christ for a life of eternal impact. We are all sinners.