St. Mark's is Moving Forward
A professional acoustic analysis of St. Mark’s sanctuary gave us a happy report: Our church is a great place for sound!
Speech could be heard clearly from the front to the back, and there aren’t any distracting echoes. Music sounds full and warm, especially from the balcony, thanks to the high ceiling. The room is quiet, even when the fans are on, which helps everyone hear better — especially older listeners. It has just the right amount of echo to make both speech and music sound natural. And since the church is in a quiet neighborhood, outside noise doesn’t get in the way.
We don’t need to change the building itself — the space already works well. The amplification of sound is where the problem develops. An engineered sound system will make our lovely church sound great - no matter where one sits.
We want to share the Gospel…but our sound system isn’t helping!
Our Forward campaign will remedy our problems of failing equipment, bad wiring and obsolete components. An updated sanctuary sound system is on the top of our wish list!
The Forward campaign was a main focus of the July Voters' meeting, with the 5-year funding plan outlined and proposed disbursement plan approved by the voters. As the first pillar of the new campaign, Mr. David Hochmuth’s work as St. Mark’s congregational evangelist has begun.
Outline of 5-year funding plan summary
Evangelist = $100k, School/operating = $400k, Property = $300k
(annual total = $800k)
Outline for disbursement of gifts given to the Forward Campaign.
Evangelist = 12.5%, School/Operating = 50%, Projects = 37.5%
Any remaining Finish the Race funds have been redesignated to the Forward campaign.
Evangelist Hochmuth was officially installed as a staff minister - serving the role of Congregational Evangelist in the 9:00 am worship service on Sunday, July 13. He now is a part of our ministry staff carrying out the prime ministry of St. Mark's: Sharing the gospel in Word and Sacrament.
May his work be a blessing among us, as he leads and trains us in the vital work of our mission.
After the worship service, Mr. Hochmuth was warmly received with a small reception in the church parish center.
Introduce yourself to our newest called servant, and join him in the great work to be done here at St. Mark's
Sunday, July 13, is the installation of Evangelist David Hochmuth in the 9:00 AM worship service, beginning his public ministry among us at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
A Service Focused on Christ’s Mission
The service features a sermon by Pastor Backus on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20), reminding us that Jesus calls his entire Church—not just public ministers—to go and make disciples. We celebrate that calling as we install this new servant dedicated to helping us carry out our mission.
The Purpose of Installation
An installation is a formal worship rite that places a called worker into service with and on behalf of the congregation. It is a public acknowledgment that the Holy Spirit has led both the congregation and the called servant into this Gospel ministry partnership. The service includes Scripture, promises, and prayer, committing both parties to the important work of proclaiming Christ to the world.
Ministry Partnerships
Evangelist Hochmuth will work closely with Pastor Walther, focusing on evangelism, and Pastor Wells, developing and supporting small group ministry. Our Evangelist will also arrange for the training of our laity, so that all of us at St. Mark’s can confidently share the Gospel with our community.
Reception to Follow
Immediately following the 9:00 service, a welcome reception for Dave and Mary Hochmuth will be held in the parish center to meet and greet our new dear friends and enjoy refreshments. All are welcome at this joyful event!
Evangelist Hochmuth officially began his ministry at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on July 1, attending the first of regular weekly meetings with the pastoral staff. These meetings provide Scriptural study, brotherly connection, and joint planning of St. Mark’s ministry efforts.
Evangelist Hochmuth will be working closely with Pastor Walther in the area of evangelism, helping with outreach leads, and also strengthening relationships with our own drifting members. He will also work with Pastor Wells in supporting and further developing our growing small group ministry, encouraging deeper Christian community and spiritual growth at St. Mark’s.
We welcome Evangelist Hochmuth with thanksgiving and look forward to the blessings the Lord is bringing through his ministry with us!
Evangelist Hochmuth brings a rich and varied background in ministry to his new role at St. Mark’s. Before entering full-time ministry, he served for many years as a lay leader—teaching Sunday School, leading Bible studies, and holding various congregational officer positions. After earning his staff ministry certification, he served for 11 years as Minister for Spiritual Growth at St. Andrew in Middleton, where he led a thriving small group ministry, a summer day camp for kids, and a creative Sunday morning ministry for children. More recently, he served as Administrator of WELS Prison Ministry, overseeing a nationwide Bible correspondence program for inmates and developing training for mentors who help individuals reentering society after incarceration.
Throughout his ministry, Evangelist Hochmuth has also been involved in various outreach efforts, including friendship evangelism, Everyone Outreach, and Joining Jesus on His Mission. His experience spans congregations of many sizes, from small mission starts to large, multi-service congregations. At St. Andrew, he coordinated a network of about 20 small groups meeting throughout the year.
Mary Hochmuth has served in ministry alongside him, both as a Lutheran elementary school teacher and as an author (co-authoring His Days, My Praise and Your Word For Mine). She has led women’s Bible studies in a variety of settings—including churches, retreats, and local jails—and serves as a client advocate at the WELS Lutherans for Life Pregnancy Center in West Allis.
At St. Mark’s, Evangelist Hochmuth is especially looking forward to working with God’s people to share Jesus—both with those who do not yet know him and with those who long to know him better.
Before entering the ministry, Evangelist Hochmuth spent 25 years working as a civil engineer in the water resources field. His career took him across the country, with projects and travels in places like Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, and even Alaska.
Born in Tucson, AZ, and raised in Santa Clara, CA, Evangelist Hochmuth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of California at Davis (1979) and a Master of Science from Colorado State University (1981). Throughout high school and college, Evangelist Hochmuth worked a variety of jobs—from fast food and apartment maintenance to an internship at the construction site of a 200-million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant. During his engineering career, he served with three different consulting engineering firms before the Lord called him into Gospel ministry.
In the summer of 2003, Evangelist Hochmuth left his job and his home in Redding, CA, to take his family to New Ulm, MN, to enroll in the staff ministry program at Martin Luther College. He completed his studies and received his degree in 2006, graduating alongside his nephew.
Evangelist Dave Hochmuth and his wife of 36 years, Mary, are blessed with three grown children. Their daughter Esther is married to Michael who teaches at Christ Lutheran in Big Bend, WI. Esther stays at home with their four children. Sarah, their second daughter, works as a graphic designer in Middleton alongside her husband Peter. Their son Andrew is a Quality Control Technician at Wieser Concrete in Portage. The family enjoys gathering for birthdays, holidays, and other special events. At home, a cat named Gimli—technically Mary’s, though he often seeks out Evangelist Hochmuth’s attention—keeps them company. On a day off, you’ll often find Evangelist Hochmuth with a good book in hand. He also enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking, biking, fishing, and the occasional round of golf.
"With joy I accept your divine call to serve as your Congregational Evangelist. I believe the Spirit has led me to this decision, and I pray that he blesses it. Though the task seems daunting at times, I know that with Jesus all things are possible."
— Evangelist Dave Hochmuth
Evangelist Dave Hochmuth
Start Date: July 1, 2025
Gospel Mission
•Reach the lost in Watertown
•Regain the weak at St. Mark's
Focus Areas
•Lead St. Mark's Gospel outreach
•Organize and grow St. Mark's Small Groups
