Hirchie Schaffner | Out of the Ashes

Hirchie Schaffner began his journey in full-time ministry in 1991, serving as a youth pastor and outreach director. It was during this formative period that the Lord ignited his passion for discipleship and missions. Over the ensuing decades, these twin callings deepened as Hirchie recognized the critical need for God's people to understand their identity in Christ, enabling them to reveal His love to the world.

His heart for missions was first stirred in the Navajo Nation, where he continues to minister today. This calling has since led him to serve in Mexico, Australia, England, Wales, the Apache Nations, as well as in Ethiopia. In 2003, Hirchie was called to shepherd his first church plant, which he pastored for 15 years. Under his leadership, the congregation grew from a small gathering in the Schaffner family’s living room to a vibrant community committed to loving God and others.

After faithfully serving this fellowship, the Lord led Hirchie and his family to Fort Worth, TX. There, he played a pivotal role in pioneering a discipleship-focused ministry, witnessing the baptisms of over 900 believers in just four years. His role evolved from discipleship pastor to conference director, where he experienced remarkable success. Further, his enduring passion for grounding people in scriptural truth led to the founding of 516 Ministries, inspired by Matthew 5:16. Today, Hirchie continues to pastor with an unwavering commitment to discipleship and missions, guiding others to let their light shine before men.

Hirchie and his wife, Sara, reside in Fort Worth, TX, and are blessed with four wonderful children: Emma, Evan, Annalise, and Yohannes, along with their new son-in-law, Caleb.

Hirchie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Jacksonville Theological Seminary and proudly references his “Ph.D. from the school of hard knocks," reflecting the wealth of experience he has gained through years of dedicated ministry. He also serves as Vice-President on the Boards of RBM (Native American Missions) and Out of the Ashes (Child Development in Ethiopia).