Pastor Jacob Hoff began serving at First German in April of 2020. He previously served a large congregation in Franklin, WI, and before that a small mission congregation in Sterling, Virginia (just outside Washington D.C.).

Pastor Hoff serves as the full time lead pastor at First German. He is passionate about helping people get to know the heart of God. Whether you grew up learning about God's love or are not sure about your relationship with God, Pastor Hoff would be honored to help you know the love the God of the Bible has for you.

Pastor Hoff also loves to read, be outdoors (you might see him combining both of these loves - walking the streets of downtown Manitowoc and the lake shore with his nose in a book), and spend time with his family. He is married to Laura. God has blessed them with five children.

Pastor Johnston graduated from Milwaukee's Wisconsin Lutheran High School in 1970 and Northwestern College, Watertown, WI, in 1974. He also graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, in 1978.

He is married to Jane (nee Gurgel). They have been blessed with five children, all of whom are married. They also count fourteen grandchildren.

He has served God's kingdom in Bowdle, SD - Deltona, FL - Waunakee, WI - Spooner, WI - Malawi, Africa - and East Brunswick, NJ. Now he is blessed by serving God also here at First German Lutheran Church in Manitowoc.

I was born on December 20, 1993, in a refugee camp somewhere in Thailand. My family fought with the United States in what is termed as the “Secret War” during the Vietnam War. As a result of this, we were forced to flee Laos and cross into Thailand where refugee camps were set up, where my parents met, and where I was born in 1993. A year after my birth we immigrated to the United States. We landed in Kansas City, KS. This is where God led us to the WELS. My father entered the Pastor Studies Institute (PSI) and became a pastor. We then relocated to La Crosse, WI. He served there for about 12 years and then took a call to Trinity Hmong Lutheran Church here in Manitowoc when the previous pastor retired.

My wife, Christina and I married in 2018. The Lord has blessed us with two daughters, Hosanna and Priscilla. We pray and hope for more children in the future. In 2019 God led me to apply for the PSI Program and was officially enrolled in 2020. First German called me to be the Vicar in October 2024. The past four years of studying to be a Pastor has been a great blessing on my life. I look forward to working with the saints at First German and Trinity Hmong in the Gospel Ministry.

My wife and I both love the outdoors. She enjoys hiking while I enjoy hunting and fishing. I am an avid bow hunter. During the hunting season, if I have a bit of free time, I will be in the woods trying to harvest a deer. I also enjoy reading and listening to podcasts. If you see me walking around town with an earbud in, please don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.