Our Team

Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett

Sean came to Nativity in 2021 from St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Salisbury, where he had served since 2014. He and his wife, April, have three children (who aren’t children anymore): Brittany, Ian, and Addy. April works at WNC Source. Brittany teaches high school English and Spanish. Ian is the Finance Director for Waynesville, North Carolina. Addy is a student at UNCC. While in high school, Sean wanted to be a Baptist pastor and went to Grand Rapids Baptist College to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree (double major in Religion and Ancient Languages). He became a Lutheran during that time (but can still speak “Baptist” fluently). It wound up taking 16 years to resume his studies in seminary. During that time, he worked in management and sales. As you can imagine, both roles translate well to pastoral ministry. He has been ordained since 2014 after graduating from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. In 2024, he completed doctoral studies at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He is excited to begin his journey with the Lutheran Church of the Nativity and see where God leads us on this new adventure together!

Ed Hauck

Director of Worship and Music
music@nativityarden.org

Ed joined Nativity in January of 2024 and is a native of Virginia. He attended J. Sargent Reynolds Community College and Virginia Commonwealth University (Sacred Music). For the last 25 years he has lived in Canton, Ohio serving Lutheran parishes. In 2022 he started to attend Music Week at Lutheridge at the invitation of a colleague and friend of 30 years. He has made his home in Hendersonville and looks forward to getting to know everyone. Ed loves sharing eclectic and diverse music in worship along with traditional/classic offerings. He is looking forward to restarting our bell choir and some short-term musical opportunities with our K-Elementary age kids this coming Lent and Easter season. He is excited to be able to work with our Minster of Learning when they come on board to help build a faith formation program for our Middle and High School youth.

Michele Grush

Parish Administrator
admin@nativityarden.org

Michele almost literally grew up in the church having a father as a pastor. She has fond memories of playing hide-and-seek in the building, ringing the church bell, and helping to fill the baptismal pool. By degree, she is an accountant earning her BS from Wake Forest University in 1989. After having raised three children, she has found her passion to be back in the heart of the church. Since 2004, her roles at Nativity have included Preschool Teacher, Youth Leader, Care Director, and most recently, Parish Administrator since 2017. She and husband Mark have been married 26 years and recently earned the status of empty-nesters. Their oldest son (Aury) and his wife (Callie) live and work outside of Chapel Hill, their daughter (Charlotte) lives and works in Greensboro, and their youngest son (Graham) is a Pharmacy student at UNC- Chapel Hill. Michele thoroughly enjoys the day-to-day activities of the church including the interaction with Nativity parishioners and members of the community, as well as helping ministry staff carry out the mission of Nativity. Michele enjoys traveling, playing cards and games with her family and friends, watching documentaries and college basketball, and taking advantage of the incredible food and beverage scene in Asheville and its surrounding areas.

Jen Loizzo

Financial Secretary
jloizzo@nativityarden.org

Jennifer and her family moved to Asheville in 2002 and they have loved every minute of it. Dan and Jennifer joined in 2002 and Jennifer started working for the church in the preschool in 2003. She has had various positions throughout the church and its ministry. Their three children are grown and flown. Grace is living in Dallas, Texas after graduating from NC State, Emma is currently attending UNC Chapel Hill and Sam is attending UNC Charlotte. We love to travel and explore different places.

Gene Hoemann

Bookkeeper Extraordinaire
ghoemann@nativityarden.org

Gene and wife, Judy, moved to Asheville in 2006 after retiring from the Chicago area. They have three grown daughters, three grandchildren, and a dog named Meryl. In recent years, Gene reached the status of being retired more years than he worked. He is gracious enough to serve as our volunteer bookkeeper after a career in finance/accounting. Gene enjoys hiking, cooking on his Green Egg, playing cards, and visiting local restaurants and breweries. If Gene recommends it, you’ll want to go!

Antony Newell

Director of Facilities
tnewell@nativityarden.org

Tony has been a Type 1 wildland firefighter since 2014. He is the father of Juliet, Malachi, Atreyu, Aleeyah and is Guardian of Drevon and Precise. He is a Proud AA advocate (10 years as of June 22). He appreciates great attitudes and the Love of the Lord! Raised by God himself since the age of 16 when his mother died, he took on a love for children and people collecting, after taking on custody of his little brother at 18. He carries on the childhood Dream as Creative Director and senior web developer at New Human Alternative Medicine. He has a passion for community and a special soft spot for those in recovery. Favorite quote: Every man has value! Favorite color:blue

Vicki Hahn

NPK Director
npkdirector@nativitypreschool.org

Vicki and her husband, Kenneth, moved back home over 25 years ago and opened Hahn’s Gymnastics 22 years ago. They are blessed with four wonderful grown daughters, Kirsten, Brittany, Patricia and Elizabeth. The youngest two, who are twins, attended NPK when they were young. Kirsten is married and recently graduated from Physician Assistant school. Brittany is also married and lives in the middle of the state and works for Advent Health for FedEx as their athletic trainer/OSHA person. Patricia is engaged and runs our gymnastics gym. Elizabeth lives in Orlando. She is a nanny and works for Disney. Her first grandchild, Shawn (Patricia’s son), was born this year. She loves spoiling him rotten!

Vicki loves to travel with her family. She loves exploring other countries, going on cruises, and of course, going to Disney to visit her favorite cast member (daughter Elizabeth). Vicki also enjoys reading, cooking, and painting.