Today, we’d like to introduce you to Mario Hauser.
Hi Mario, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in East Cleveland & early on in my childhood, I saw things in my community that weren’t very positive. As I grew up, I saw my parents establish things like a Block Club that attempted to keep the community connected & positive. It wasn’t always successful, but I saw the importance of community. In addition, knowing the influences that were around me in the streets, my parents kept me in church, where I not only gained community, respect & love for others but also grew to understand what it meant to be a strong, black, positive Christian man. Combining those experiences provided the foundation & desire to serve in ministry in some shape or form, which I have been since the age of 16.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the experiences that could be deemed as “bad” made me a better man, husband & pastor. For example, my daughter’s mom passed very suddenly & tragically when my daughters were 2 and 3 years old. Not only that, but her passing was also a month after we divorced, and I suddenly was thrust into being a single dad of 2 girls. So, before I was 30 years old, I had a failed marriage (which was primarily my fault). I was trying to figure out how to raise two girls, and I was terrible at managing my finances, which led me to lose my home. Now, I could’ve given up, but it was very important to me that my daughters saw an example of what it looks like to see a man work hard to turn his life around, admit his mistakes, and truly live for God. As a result, I learned from those lessons, and they continue to shape who I am today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Village Church is a new church plant that is taking shape in the city of Garfield Heights. As a Pastor, one of the great things about planting a new church is the opportunity to learn the unique needs of the community while also introducing what we do well to the community. Our church is unique in that we are mental health informed. We believe we can help people be whole & healed mentally & spiritually. My wife is a licensed professional counselor who is not only helping me build the church but also helping to tie in the practical mental health component that the ministry offers, which we’re very proud to be able to do. Our vision is to “Help People Heal through Christ & Community,” so having a safe community & family vibe during our gatherings is important to us and to the people who come into our spaces. If people want to learn more about the church, please follow us on IG @myvillagecle, email us at myvillagecle@gmail.com, or visit our services. Right now, we are meeting on Thursday evenings for our Tribe Nite gatherings, with future Sunday Service Experiences in the works.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Patience! Patience with the process of planting a church and patience with myself as a leader. Sometimes I can have an all gas & no break mentality because I want to accomplish all that God has called me to do. I’m grateful for being blessed with a wife who is equipped with the skill to plan and help craft the vision into bite-size, manageable chunks, which in turn helps me to be more patient.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myvillagecle.com
- Instagram: @myvillagecle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086025618568
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@myvillagecle
- Other: linktr.ee/MyVillageCle
