“O that we would sing together, at the top of our lungs from the bottom of our hearts, to God!”
Worship Pastor & Creative Leader
Ben Hacker
Born and raised in Wisconsin, I’ve always loved the outdoors and music. These passions—along with crafting good food and woodworking—shape not just how I live, but how I lead. My wife, Nicky, and I (married since 2007) are raising five kids—Quinn (13), Norah (11), Graham (9), Avery (7), and Reed (4)—who share our love for exploring Wisconsin’s woods and welcoming others into the rhythms of life around our table. We believe in practicing hospitality as a way to encounter Jesus, trusting that His presence is found in the everyday.I’ve never met a crowd too large to cook for, and I find joy in creating meals that nourish both body and soul. It’s in the simplicity of these shared moments—breaking bread, sharing stories, and making space for others—that I see glimpses of the kingdom of God.For nearly 15 years, I’ve served as a worship and creative arts pastor, helping teams and communities encounter God through creativity and collaboration. I’ve also had the privilege of planting and leading a church affiliated with the Acts 29 network and shaped by the values of the SOMA family of churches. These affiliations have deeply influenced my conviction that the church is called to be a people on mission, embodying the Gospel in everyday life.My creed is simple: “O that we would sing together, at the top of our lungs from the bottom of our hearts, to God.” Worship, at its core, is a practice of becoming fully present to God and each other—a communal act of surrender and celebration. Like the artisans called to build God’s dwelling place (Exodus 31:1-11), we bring our best with humble hearts because He is worthy.Whether I’m leading teams, crafting worship services, or shaping furniture in my workshop, I desire to pattern my life after Jesus. By practicing His way in the ordinariness of life, I trust the Holy Spirit to transform us—bit by bit—into His image.
Worship Leading
Spoken Setups & Transitions
Resume
Ben Hacker
Professional Experience
Planting/Lead Pastor & Worship Leader | Eastside Church | 2018-Peresent
Planted and led Eastside Church, guiding through pivotal challenges including COVID-19 and leadership transitions, fostering resilience and trust in God.
Created The Daily Practice, a spiritual resource adopted by the entire congregation, integrating disciplines into daily life.
Designed outreach events like Pizza and Prayer, drawing diverse community participation and strengthening relationships.
Built and mentored volunteer teams, cultivating spiritual formation and creativity.
Worship & Creative Arts Pastor | Door Creek Church, Madison, WI | 2016 – 2018
Directed worship across campuses, uniting teams and fostering a singing culture.
Introduced monthly worship nights, increasing volunteer retention and spiritual growth.
Developed and executed special services integrating creative and liturgical elements.
Minister of Worship & Technical Director | Christ The King Church, Kenosha, WI | 2012 – 2016
Led worship services and managed technical aspects during a 300% attendance growth.
Installed a modern PA system in a historic building and mentored volunteer teams.
Founder & Leadership Team Member | Wisconsin Worship Summit | 2017 – Present
Created an annual gathering equipping worship leaders and teams with spiritual and technical resources.
Education
Master of Arts in Christian Studies (coursework completed)
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music
University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 2008
Skills
Experienced vocalist and instrumentalist skilled in guitar and piano.
Fluent in music theory for worship, including instrumental, vocal, and band arrangements.
15+ years leading worship weekly in church contexts.
Discipled and coached worship leaders, worship bands, and individual musicians for over 15 years.
15+ years writing, recording, and producing original music for worship and other contexts.
Fluent in Ableton Live (Mac OS) with over 10 years of experience.
Proficient in utilizing click tracks and backing tracks, including within Ableton Live and Multitracks Playback (Mac OS and iOS).
Extensive experience with Planning Center and ProPresenter (10+ years).
Experienced in lighting design and Pro Audio system design for churches.
- Specialized in designing portable PA systems for church plants (10+ years).
Proven ability to disciple and mentor worship teams and individuals, fostering both spiritual growth and musical excellence.
Deep understanding of Mac OS and iOS ecosystems for worship technology integration.
References available upon request. To see samples of my work, please keep scrolling.
Worship Pastor & Creative Leader
Ben Hacker
I’d love to connect and explore what a partnership could look like. Let’s start the conversation about how we can work together to help your worshipping community sing together—at the top of your lungs, from the bottom of your hearts, to God!
