Dr. Herschel Hughes, Jr. (CDR, MSC, USNR, Ret.) and his wife, Anne, reside in Orlando, Florida, where they enjoy life with their five adult children and seven grandchildren. Together, they share a deep love for family, faith, and service. Herschel has enjoyed sailing since high school, while Anne finds joy in knitting, reading, puzzles, and playing the piano.

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Herschel is a retired Navy clinical psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with more than 34 years of service in the United States Navy. He began his career as a Surface Warfare Officer, completing two combat deployments during the Vietnam War. After eight years as a line officer, he pursued advanced education in psychology and was recommissioned as a clinical psychologist in the Navy Reserve. His subsequent service included 19 additional years in the Naval Reserve, with three years on active duty, as well as five years attached to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. During that time, he served two tours as Commanding Officer of B Company, 4th Medical Battalion.

Anne is a retired Licensed Psychologist who served nine years on active duty as a Navy clinical psychologist, including leadership roles as Director of two hospital-based Navy Alcohol Rehabilitation Services programs. She continued her service for an additional eight years in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

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Their spiritual journeys reflect seasons of both wandering and return. Though active in church early in life, both Herschel and Anne drifted during the cultural upheaval of the 1960s and 70s. In their 40s, the Lord drew them back, and since then, their faith has deepened steadily. They have served faithfully in their local church in a variety of roles, including deacons, elder leadership, and long-term adult Bible teaching. Herschel taught adult Sunday school for over 15 years, while Anne has served in choir and on a ministerial search committee. They are currently preparing to serve as Stephen Ministers at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando.

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With backgrounds in applied behavioral science, Herschel and Anne have thoughtfully pursued the integration of faith and professional practice, drawing insight from Christian thinkers such as C.S. Lewis, Hugh Ross, and Stephen Meyer. Anne’s love for music and hymns—and her remarkable memory for both—has been a lifelong source of encouragement and worship.

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Herschel became involved with CMF in 2020 as he and Anne sought renewed fellowship and study following the COVID season. As a lifelong naval officer, Herschel has a deep passion for the military community. He has co-led CMF Zoom-based Bible studies, including Genesis 1–11 and Science and Sermon on the Mount for Soldiers. These studies bring together participants from across the United States and internationally, including members stationed from Nigeria to Colorado. Participants rotate in presenting monthly homilies, fostering both leadership and spiritual growth.

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Herschel is committed to helping Christian servicemen and women live authentic, integrated lives—faithful to Scripture while navigating the unique demands of military service and the intellectual challenges often encountered in science and leadership roles.

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Anne faithfully supports this ministry through her quiet and consistent witness. Her involvement in her church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry, including her work with the Holy Stitches knitting group, reflects a life of prayerful encouragement and care for others—a beautiful complement to Herschel’s more visible leadership.

Both Herschel and Anne anchor their lives in Christ, their church, and their shared devotion to one another. Herschel often reflects on the Beatitudes and Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, as well as the image in Acts 27 of a ship secured by four anchors in a storm. For him, those anchors are his relationship with Jesus Christ, his church, CMF, and Anne’s steadfast love. Anne’s anchors are her relationship with Christ, her church and its ministries, and her life shared with Herschel.

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Together, their desire is to grow in Christ and to encourage others—especially those in the military community—to do the same.