Bryant Hawkes named LDS Bishop of Madison, 2nd Ward
MADISON – A new leader will serve in the community for Madison, 2nd Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bryant Hawkes, 39, was sustained by Madison 2nd Ward’s membership as their new Bishop. He will serve in that volunteer capacity for approximately five years, the typical length of a bishop’s service.
Two newly called counselors, Victor Howard and Princeton Kaleinani Soh, will assist Hawkes.
Hawkes works in Aerospace Corporation’s Corporate Strategy Office. He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University – Idaho and master’s degrees in engineering and business administration from the University of Michigan.
Hawkes and his wife, Rachelle, and their four children have lived in Madison for two years.
As a young man, he served as a missionary in Salvador, Brazil. Hawkes has volunteered with the church as Executive Secretary, Bishopric Counselor, teacher to both youth and adults and Ward Clerk, according to church publicist Shana Ryan.
Hawkes enjoys reading, singing, exploring new places, stargazing, yard work and home repair.
Howard, 59, will serve as first counselor to Bishop Hawkes. A Huntsville native, Howard attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville. From 1986-1988, he served a mission for the church in San Bernardino, Calif.
Madison residents for 18 years, Howard and his wife, Mary, have been married for 24 years and have four children and eight grandchildren. He has owned Discount Bonding Co. in Huntsville for 33 years.
Howard’s volunteering has included Ward Mission Leader, Young Men President, Elders Quorum President, Bishopric Counselor and Stake High Councilor. “I’m grateful to be a member of the Madison 2nd Ward Bishopric. It’s a special brotherhood,” Howard said.
In spare time, Howard likes watching movies, boating, walking, sports cars and beach visits.
Soh, 54, will serve as second counselor to Bishop Hawkes. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Soh and wife Nicole and their three children moved to Madison from Fayetteville, N.C. 12 years ago. Youngest daughter, Michelle, will serve a full-time mission in Idaho Pocatello Spanish-Speaking Mission.
Soh graduated from Kahuku High School in Hawaii and received a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. As an 18-year-old, he joined the church in 1988 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Volunteer positions have included Elders Quorum President, High Counselor, Primary Worker and Cub Scout leader.
Soh’s hobbies include aviation, woodworking, chainsaws, repairing items and cooking. A favorite quote by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.
Bishoprics, along with all church leaders and teachers, work without pay. Bishop Hawkes is the presiding high priest and will preside over all congregation members.
A bishop’s main responsibility is to assist members in their spiritual and temporal welfare. He ministers to them in their efforts to become true disciples of Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1297 Slaughter Road welcomes visitors to attend services at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.
