On a crisp November morning, Rev. Hunter Farrow stood before his new congregation at the Church of the Transfiguration in Palos Park, embodying the culmination of a journey shaped by faith, family, and a deep sense of calling. As he surveyed the pews, he felt a profound sense of purpose—a vocation he first discerned as a teenager.
“I’ve always felt this calling,” Farrow said, recalling how, at 15, he first sensed the path he was meant to follow. “It’s never really wavered, but life sometimes required me to pivot. Each step has taught me lessons that I bring to my ministry today.”
Growing up in Western Pennsylvania in a conservative evangelical Christian environment, Farrow’s spiritual journey eventually led him to seek a more inclusive expression of Christianity. He found that in the Episcopal Church, a community where openness and dialogue are central values.
“That openness,” Farrow explained, “is essential to my ministry. It allows space for conversation and understanding.”
Faith has always guided Farrow, but his dedication to family brought him to Milwaukee more than a decade ago. He relocated to support his wife’s career in higher education and used the opportunity to complete his undergraduate studies in Biblical Studies at Colorado Christian University online. While in Milwaukee, he volunteered in lay ministry and eventually entered seminary.
“My wife was my biggest supporter,” he said. “I worked in a warehouse to put her through grad school, and later, she encouraged me to pursue this calling. It’s been a partnership every step of the way.”
After his ordination as a deacon in January and as a priest in July, Farrow began exploring new opportunities outside his Wisconsin diocese. A former Milwaukee parishioner suggested he consider Palos Park. When he met the congregation, he felt an immediate connection.
“They didn’t just see how new I was as a priest,” he said. “They saw my whole journey—decades of ministry experience, even before ordination.”
Now settled into the rectory with his wife and their 11-year-old black Lab, Odie, Farrow has found a warm welcome in Palos Park. The parish’s tradition of celebrating birthdays and anniversaries during Sunday services has helped him bond with his congregation.
“It’s a beautiful way to make the service feel personal,” he said. “That sense of community is one of the reasons I was so excited to come here.”
Farrow also recognizes the wider challenges facing the Episcopal Church and organized religion. Declining attendance and cultural shifts require adaptability, he said.
“We must be willing to meet people where they are, build relationships, and show them that the church can be a place of love, inclusion, and belonging.”
In Palos Park, Farrow is eager to develop skills in stewardship and church finances—areas where his mentors in Milwaukee encouraged growth.
“My mentors taught me that the best way to grow is to face what you don’t know,” he said. “That advice has stuck with me.”
Amid his responsibilities, Farrow prioritizes personal renewal. He and his wife share a love for Dungeons & Dragons and enjoy reading, with Farrow drawn to cozy fantasy—“low-stakes stories that feel like a warm hug.” Their aging black Lab, Odie, remains a cherished member of their family.
“He’s not in the best health, but he’s a sweet dog. We’re cherishing the time we have with him,” Farrow said.
Looking ahead, Farrow sees both challenges and opportunities for his parish. While technology offers new tools for ministry, he believes it’s no substitute for in-person connection.
“People still crave physical connection—they want to gather, kneel, and worship together,” he said. “The key is using technology as a tool, not a substitute.”
Farrow also envisions integrating outreach into church life, creating spaces where people feel welcome to explore their spirituality.
“At the heart of my ministry is a simple goal: I want to make the church a safe space where people can grow in their love of God and others.”
With warmth, humility, and a commitment to community, Farrow is embracing his new role in Palos Park. As he partners with his congregation, he’s building something meaningful—a journey he’s grateful to share with both his family and the supportive parish that welcomed him.
We consider Rev. Farrow a perfect fit for his goals and our needs. The Holy Spirit certainly guided this excellent match.
We are so grateful for having Rev. Hunter and his wife Elizabeth at our church. I have always been inspired by good sermons; Hunter leaves no doubt that he is up to the task of encouraging, energizing and motivating us to become a better persons, to make better choices, to show God’s love around us.