Wes Hanson is a Northwest native: born in Oregon, raised in Washington State, and Oregon resident for the past 23 years. Growing up as a “preacher’s kid” in the Northwest, he was well-acquainted with Scripture from an early age but also surrounded by that cultural worldview that attempts to harmonize the diversity of contradictory philosophies and religious systems insisting they can “coexist.” This experience sparked a drive for personal investigation of the claims of Christianity compared with other religions. This investigation resulted in a stronger conviction that Christianity alone fits reasonably with objective reality; that Christianity is uniquely affirmed historically, philosophically, and scientifically. Wes’s decision to be baptized at age 16 was not a decision based on inherited faith or sheltered ignorance. It was the personal realization of the nurture and admonition of his parents. Wes was convicted by his own investigation and persuaded by the evidence for the actual historical person of Jesus of Nazareth who is affirmed to be the Christ, Son of the Living God, dead, buried, raised, and returning.

After high school Wes attended York College (now York University) in York, Nebraska where he received a bachelor’s degree in middle and secondary education. During his time at York, Wes met and married Rachel Forehand. 6 months after they married, Wes was severely burned in a hot tar accident while working as a roofer during the summer of 1995. He was hospitalized for an extended period with graft surgeries and lots of therapy to follow. Through this tragedy Wes gained a vibrant perspective and appreciation for the presence of God and the love of the church.

Wes’s first teaching job was at Westbury Christian School in Houston, Texas where he taught for three years. During their time in Houston, they were active members of Westbury Church of Christ. Westbury’s preacher, Bill Yasko, strongly encouraged Wes to transfer his gift for teaching toward the work of preaching. Through Bill and his wife, Dot, Wes and Rachel began to realize and embrace God’s call to full-time ministry. With the prayers and support of many friends, Wes and Rachel decided to attend Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas where he completed a course of study in Preaching and Congregational Ministry.

After graduating from SIBI, Wes took his first preaching post back in Northwest and served as the Preaching Minister for the Scappoose Church of Christ in Scappoose, Oregon from 2003-2023. He currently serves as Minister of the Word for Circle Church of Christ in Corvallis, Oregon (2023 to present). Over the years, Wes has been a keynote speaker at youth camps, youth rallies, Christian school chapels, brotherhood lectureships, workshops, and other events throughout the Northwest. He currently works with Camp Yamhill as Director of its annual Teen Winter Retreat and also as Vice President on Camp Yamhill’s Board of Directors. He is also a teaching fellow for the Northwest School of Discipleship where he teaches a course in apologetics.

Wes and Rachel have been married for 30 years. They have 4 children together: Eric, Andrew, Stephen, and Elizabeth. Andrew and his wife Helen have two sons: Jasen (3) and Rowan (less than a year).