Seppo Häkkinen was born on 2 June 1958 in Kuopio. Häkkinen worked as Head of the Functional Department of the ChurchCouncil between 2002–2009, Heinola Provincial in Chapel between 1987-2001 and as an official assistant to the Imatra Ward between 1983–1987. Häkkinen is a Doctor of Theology. His dissertation, which was approved in 2010, dealt with the Church's membership and the church's commitment to resigning from the Church. In 2009 he was elected as Bishop of Mikkeli. Häkkinen's family includes his wifeMaria and four children. He married in 1980.