Pastor Robert Hartwell:  Beginning his ministry as a disc jockey in Christian radio, he graduated from Cleveland State University in 1989 and earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Concordia Theological Seminary- Fort Wayne in 1993. He received a doctorate from NY Theological Seminary in 2002. His Doctoral work led to the creation of the Professional Development School's Concord of Excellence between The Chapel School and Concordia College. Concordia College has since closed and the campus is now the home of the New York-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences In 2011, he completed a MBA in Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovative Management from Bay Path College.

Pastor Hartwell first call was to Trinity Lutheran Church and School at Hicksville, NY in 1993, serving as Assistant Pastor and later, as Associate Pastor. In 1998, he received the call as Associate Pastor of Village Lutheran Church (VLC) and The Chapel School (TCS). He was called as Senior Pastor at VLC and TCS in 2003.

Pastor Hartwell has partnered with the Wartburg, Lutheran Social Services and most especially the Lutheran Counseling Center where he has served as a member of the Advisory Board and Board of Directors. In 2003 he helped open a dedicated Lutheran Counseling Center (LCC) site on the VLC campus which remains one of its most active counseling sites.

Pastor Hartwell has worked as an Adjunct Professor at the former Concordia College, Long Island Business Institute (LIBI) and the Atlantic District Deaconate Program  in the areas of Religion, Education and Business. He has served terms as both Secretary and Regional Vice-President of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC--MS), was the Chairperson of Grace at Ground Zero Book and Symposium (after 9/11) and the Chairperson of the Fan into Flame Appeal. Pastor Hartwell is a past board member of the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, has served on the board of the Counseling Center of Bronxville (Reformed Church) and helped found and co-chaired the Bronxville, Tuckahoe, and Eastchester Interfaith Council (BIC). He also recently was a clergy and resident representative  on the Bronxville Police Community Relations Committee.

Rob and his wife, Sue, have been married for almost 35 years. Sue is a Special Education Teacher and a Real Estate Professional at Park Sterling Reality in Bronxville. Sue and Rob are the parents of two adult children who live in the NY area. Rob enjoys playing baritone in the Brass Choir, is an avid cyclist, and treasures daily walks (in warmer weather) with Sue.