Cary Hoff has become a familiar face at Hope Lutheran Church off Park Road. The “mountain man” from Texas was known for his burly beard, which he has had since he first came to Plant City from Texas to serve as director of Christian education intern a year ago.
But last month, Hoff lost a bet and shaved it off.
He was spearheading a fundraiser to send his youth group to a national conference this summer. He made a comment that if the congregation raised $10,000, he would shave off his signature look.
“It’s one of those statements that you hope doesn’t come true,” Hoff said.
The congregation ended up raising $12,000, and the beard was hacked off. Some of his youth group members didn’t recognize him at first.
“It was a lot of fun,” Hoff said. They enjoyed it very much.”
Hoff’s internship was required by his degree program at Concordia University in Austin, Texas. It was the final step to being certified as a director of Christian education within the Lutheran church. His last day at Hope was May 26.
“I feel great that my school is done,” Hoff said.
As the DCE intern, Hoff worked closely with the youth program. One of his favorite projects working with the youth was a migrant ministry. The group went out into the camps with food and supplies — all while sharing the Christian faith.
“That was awesome,” Hoff said. “To see the kids, realizing they could go out and help another world.”
Hoff also loved working with the United Food Bank of Plant City.
“I enjoyed it,” Hoff said. “Not only are you able to help with the physical needs of people, but the spiritual side as well.”
When Hoff first came to Plant City, he was dying to connect with the community. Now looking back on his experience, he knows he did just that.
“I wanted to get to know people, build relationships and understand the congregation,” Hoff said. “The biggest takeaway is the relationships formed. Not only within the church, but out in the community.”
Now, Hoff, 23, has applied for a missionary position in Vietnam through World Missions. The application process is extensive. So far, he has been interviewed six times.
“I’ve always been passionate about missions and going around the world and sharing Jesus,” Hoff said.
Hoff has visited four different countries and participated in at least 18 different missions within the United States.
If Hoff is accepted as a missionary, he will be in Vietnam for two years with an option to extend.
“I have a lot of people that I consider family now,” Hoff said about his church family. “I didn’t foresee that.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
