The vision of Lifeway Baptist’s new pastor, Rik Hansen, is simple: he wants to “teach the Word of God in order to reach those who need a relationship with God through the redemption and sacrifices of Jesus Christ.”
A first-time pastor but long-time preacher, he explained his method of operation, focusing on preaching God’s word as He first gave it to everyone.
Hansen said he’s not the most elaborate or fancy speaker, but he tries to make it as relevant to present time as it was given to people back in the first century.
“My style is a straightforward approach to preaching the truth of God,” he said. “I’m a person just like anyone…if you desire to know the Lord more, together we can seek Him.”
Rik and Rachel have been married for 29 years, and reside in Victoria. His wife currently leads the women’s outreach program at Lifeway Baptist. The couple and their family lived in Idaho for some time where Hansen taught and preached at house churches, which is just what it’s called: church services who meet in a private home. Then they decided to move back to Texas to be closer to family around the pandemic.
He heard the call around five years ago to preach rather than to be a pastor. In addition to him and his wife participating in different ministries, such as health, youth and kids, Hansen went for a few years to the Texas State Home in Giddings, essentially a place where boys who’ve been convicted of felonies go and become wards of the state.
“Last year I felt the call to finish my degree and pastor a church in Texas,” he said. That’s when he finished his bachelor of science in theology through a Baptist seminary in Louisiana named Sildell.
Hansen has also done the grueling work of foreign missions, attending evangelistic trips down to South America, in places like Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru twice to preach the gospel, which changed his perspective on faith.
“It makes you realize how blessed we are in America and how good we have it. It also gives you an understanding that when the Bible talks about oper-
see NEW PASTOR RIK HANSEN on page A7 ating on faith, the people down there have a much different understanding of what faith is, and how much they rely on God than we do,” he said.
At Lifeway Baptist, services begin at 10:45 a.m. every Sunday morning, plus a small youth program during the services. Programs include the women’s ministry, and Celebrate Recovery on every first and third Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
“A new session started recently, and people are welcome to join at any time,” Hansen added.
The Hansens have two children, Kayla, 22, who just married this past March, and Kaleb Alexander, 21, who’s an HVAC technician. Rik and Kayla are both barbers in Victoria at a shop called Hello, Gorgeous; Rik cuts men’s hair and Kayla cuts women’s hair. They’re joined by Rachel, who’s an esthetician.
“I’ve been cutting hair since high school and have had my barbers’ license since 2020,” Hansen said. “The three of us are looking to have our own shop in the near future.”
Lifeway Baptist Church is located in Edna on 108 North Brazos Street. One can learn more about what they have to offer by calling 361-235-7597, or visiting their website, lifewaybaptistchurch. com, where one can find the church’s beliefs, the verse of the day, ministries, schedules and more. Rik said everyone is welcome to meet Him and worship.
A picture of the Hansen family can be found in the Jackson County Herald-Tribune issue of July 30.
