PastoPastor Jeff Hawes grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where he was raised in a Christian home. On August 5, 1993, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and followed the Lord in believer's baptism shortly thereafter.

After graduating from high school, Jeff attended Maranatha Baptist University. During his college years, he participated in soccer and wrestling, served in various ministry opportunities, preached in prisons, and ministered through his extension church in Rochelle, Illinois.

On December 23, 2000, Jeff married the love of his life, Michelle. Together they have faithfully served the Lord for more than 25 years. They have three sons, Gabe, Riley, and Parker, and are grateful to welcome their daughter-in-law, Olivia, into the family.

Before coming to Lakeview Baptist Church, Pastor Hawes served for 22 years as a youth pastor.

In the spring of 2026, God called him to become the Senior Pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church. His passion is to faithfully preach God's Word, reach people with the Gospel, and encourage believers to love and follow Jesus Christ more each day.

When he is not serving in ministry, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family, drinking coffee, watching sports, enjoying good food, and, most of all, preaching and teaching the Word of God.

Life Verse

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Philippians 1:20-21