It’s not as covert as it sounds. Living a double life, for Erik Hatch, is about enlightenment, not espionage. Hatch, the Junior & Senior High Youth Director at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, has decided to pursue an additional career as a licensed realtor with FargoHomes.com, the McKenzie Group.
His primary career is the youth ministry work he has done for over three years at First Lutheran. Primarily, his job is to minister to young adults in grades 7 through 12, both members and non-members, interact with them and form relationships. This includes getting to know the families of the junior/senior high students. Hatch also leads worship in the Celebration Center about once a month.
“Ultimately, I am trying to bring kids into a relationship with Jesus Christ and help them grow in the Christian faith,” says Hatch.
The way he does this is to “first love the kids” then follow that up by getting involved in their church and real-world lives. This includes, but certainly isn’t limited to, confirmation, retreats, mission work, plays, basketball games, concerts, lunches, trips, instant messaging, bible studies and blogging.
“I want them to trust me enough to let me into their world. ‘My kids’ are my friends, my work, and my passion,” Hatch says.
To hear him talk about his role in the spiritual lives of others is inspirational.
“I am so blessed to have the opportunity to share God with kids and adults alike. I am completely honest with them about who I am and how God works through and for me,” remarks Hatch. “I, like any other church worker, am not without sin and temptation and I stumble all the time. I just get the great pleasure of helping myself and other people understand the grace and faith of Jesus Christ.”
In June of 2005, Hatch became engaged to his fianceé, Emily.
“I wanted to be able to own a home for myself, and my soon-to-be wife, and to be secure with all the aspects that accompany home-ownership,” recalls Hatch. “My mother passed away almost five years ago and my father has never been around, so I have learned to be self-reliant in all my endeavors. Money doesn’t mean much to me because I learned early on, from my mother, that it’s not about what you have, but more about who you have around you. Stuff is just stuff.”
Having recently purchased his own home, Hatch decided that being a realtor was something he could do as an extension of his work with the church.
“I have no desire to leave the ministry. It’s where God has called me to be,” Hatch affirms. “I love helping people and, to that end, real estate can be a ministry in and of itself. Buying and selling homes is an emotional thing. I think both careers compliment each other nicely. And if all goes well, this diversified employment will be a blessing.”
Hatch, an NDSU graduate with a degree in speech communication and minors in mass communication and religion, brings academic and life experience to this new endeavor.
“I’m excited for the challenge of balancing two jobs. Sure there will be some hard days, but I thrive on challenges and commit myself to excellence.”
In real estate, for the first two years, Hatch will be primarily working with first-time homebuyers. FargoHOMES is a full-service real estate firm offering residential, commercial, lake and agriculture buying and selling services. Residential real estate and real estate education is FargoHOMES primary focus. For more information call Erik at 701.371.9739 or email erikhatch@hotmail.com.
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