Ben Hazen, PHOTO PROVIDED

The American Rescue Workers’ Board of Directors announced the hiring of Ben Hazen as the new executive director of American Rescue Workers in Williamsport. This leadership transition follows the planned 2026 retirement of long-time leaders Sam and Dawn Astin according to the news releases.

“This decision comes after much prayer and deliberation throughout a three to four-month

extensive local, statewide, and national search,” said Pastor John C. Butler, chairman of

the board of directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ben Hazen to this role. Sam and Dawn

Astin have faithfully led ARW through more than four decades of growth, and while they

will be difficult to replace, Ben has the exact combination of talent and passion that ARW

needs for this season of transition. His experience and visionary approach will be a

tremendous asset to our staff, volunteers, and the people we serve. Our board is fully

committed to supporting him and our staff during this important transition.’ he added in the news release.

Hazen brings over 20 years of ministry and organizational leadership experience, including

strategic planning, budget management, public speaking, communication strategy, public

relations and fundraising. Most recently, he served as Director of Discipleship at Community

Baptist Church in Montoursville, a congregation of 500-750 weekly attendees. While at

Community Baptist Church, Hazen served as Missions Chairperson, managing a $360,000

annual budget supporting 30 missionaries, and was part of an Executive Committee overseeing a $650,000 church budget. He successfully relaunched the children’s ministry, coordinated 55 new volunteers, implemented policy and procedure manuals, and organized the annual Trunk-or-Treat event, the news release said.

A graduate of Moody Bible Institute with a B.A. in Student and Family Ministries and an A.A. in Theology from Ethnos360, Hazen originally hails from New Castle, said the news release.

“There was a small but firm foundation of ARW ministry formed here in Williamsport many,

many years ago,” said Dawn Astin, ARW’s current business administrator.

“Sam and I didn’t recreate the wheel but built on a promising donor base, recycling business model, faith based initiatives and expanded our hunger and homelessness prevention programs to accommodate community needs.

Ben will bring renewed energy, focus, and strong determination to advance life-saving programs, strengthen partnerships with churches and businesses, and ensure the organization’s sustainability for years to come.”

Hazen’s upbringing as the child of missionaries in Ivory Coast, Africa, instilled in him a deep

appreciation for cultural diversity, collaboration, and compassion. A resident of Montoursville

for 18 years, Ben and wife Wendy, together have four children.

“I have never seen the Lord work so definitively on my behalf,” Hazen said. “This process

has been nothing short of a miracle, and I am committed to pouring my heart and soul into

this position.”

Hazen will officially begin working alongside the current leadership team on Monday

November 3, as the organization enters a new chapter of service and growth.

Just last year, the American Rescue Workers celebrated its 90th anniversary of serving the

Williamsport community with faith-based hunger and homelessness prevention programs.

“While there are some structural and organizational changes on the horizon for the

national ARW, now in its 141st year, we are deeply committed to passing the torch of

leadership and ensuring that ARW continues its vital mission here in Williamsport for

generations to come,” said Sam Astin, current executive director, the news release added.