Rev. Steven Haddix’s life and career exhibits a steadfast commitment to service, mentorship, and genuine human connection. He has dedicated a remarkable five decades to helping those in need through ministry and service.
Haddix was recently selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who, a directory chronicling the lives of notable individuals across various fields, established in 1898.
Haddix has served as a hospice chaplain for CHP Home Care & Hospice since 2023. In this capacity, he provides daily, weekly or as-needed support to patients and their families, guiding them through crises and offering comfort during challenging times. In addition, he is involved in the Blessing of the Hands, which honors health care workers for their dedication and compassion, and CHP Rays of Hope Camp, a day-camp for children and youth that have lost loved ones.
Life of service impacting others
Throughout his career, Haddix has pastored multiple congregations in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and South Carolina, including a nine-year tenure at a church in Delphos. Under his leadership, three churches achieved awards for financial stewardship over two decades, record attendance, and increased community engagement. However, Haddix says his approach centers on individual growth rather than numbers, focusing instead on helping people discover their purpose and thrive where they are called.
Haddix says his most meaningful accomplishment is the enduring impact made on those he previously mentored. From his first youth group in college — where an eighth-grade girl later became a music director for 25 years at her local church— to directing six youth camps that fostered personal transformation, he has consistently prioritized guiding individuals toward lasting change.
Many of those he has ministered to have gone on to serve others making significant contributions within their communities, outcomes he values above all individual accolades.
Authentic connection
Haddix’s commitment to authenticity and compassion has shaped both his reputation and approach to ministry. He recalls being chosen by a funeral director’s wife to conduct her father’s service because she recognized his genuine nature and support for families in need.
Brent Tow, CHP President/CEO, describes Haddix as the most down-to-earth pastor he had encountered. “Steve has a wonderful way of connecting both with our patients and their families and with our staff,” Tow said. “His genuine compassion and humility is welcoming.”
50 years of ministry
Haddix began his ministry journey in 1975 as a minister of youth and music while pursuing his academic goals. Alongside his ministerial duties, he also worked in the construction industry.
Despite facing challenges along the way, he found great fulfillment in witnessing members of his youth groups eventually enter full-time ministry — some becoming missionaries overseas and one serving as vice chancellor of a Nazarene university in Africa.
Haddix earned a Bachelor of Arts in religion with a minor in biblical languages from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, an institution affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. He furthered his studies through coursework at the Israel Bible Center near Jerusalem, where he completed three certificates under the instruction of Messianic Jewish scholars and continues to pursue annual classes.
While he appreciates the foundation provided by his formal education, he credits significant life experiences — navigating diverse situations and working closely with people in need — as his greatest teachers.
Continued service
Haddix retired from full-time pastoral work in July of 2025, but remains an ordained minister of The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Delphos and have five children. He enjoys woodworking, traveling and spending time with his family and their seven grandchildren.
Haddix plans to deepen his involvement with CHP by collaborating with leadership to enhance support for patients, families and staff, striving to provide comfort not only to those receiving care, but also to nurses and colleagues during difficult moments.
His legacy is defined by a steadfast commitment to service, mentorship and genuine human connection — qualities that continue to shape lives within his community and beyond.
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