Welcome!

Pastor Craig and Julie Waetke

Rev. Craig Waetke has been serving as pastor at New Covenant Presbyterian Church since 2017. Before being called to NCPC, Craig served Beverly Presbyterian Church of Edgewater Park, NJ from 2004 to 2017. Originally from Iowa, Craig was a farmer tending the land originally homesteaded by his great-great grandfather in 1850. Through a series of life-changing events Craig experienced first-hand the restorative ability of God who has the power to renew both physically and spiritually. Those experiences called Craig away from the farm and to travel a new path serving Jesus Christ. Craig received his Masters of Divinity degree from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in 2003. 

While no longer tending the farm and planting seeds back in Iowa, Pastor Craig continues in tending the flock God has called him to in Hutchinson, KS and planting seeds of faith through proclaiming with joy the all-encompassing and overwhelming love of God who offers undeserved grace, complete forgiveness and reconciliation to all who are broken by sin and are yearning to be made whole both in their relationship with God and with each other.

Craig and his wife, Julie, a native of Hutchinson, have been married for 35 years. Together they are the parents of two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Jennifer, two wonderful sons-in-law, Kyle and Sean, and grandparents to a granddaughter, Mae. In addition, they are bossed around by their Old English Sheepdog, Ralph. 

Craig has two favorite verses that have guided him in both his personal life and in his ministry. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And in 1 Corinthians 10:31 let us always remember that, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”   

Pastor Craig looks forward to visiting with you in sharing the love of God given to all through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who indeed makes all things new in this life and in your life to come.