Trevor & Kelly Ettenborough

“What a difference a year makes! This month marked one year for us in Dearborn. On May 19th, the anniversary of our move-in, we had a little fun looking at pictures of ourselves and our home one year prior. And though the house changed remarkably in the last year (it felt like two!), learning Arabic was an equally impactful but less visible change. Knowing rudimentary Arabic has opened doors here and changed our interactions with neighbors.”

Having even a little Arabic has proven invaluable in English classes. When students struggle to hear the sounds of a word in English, we can write a transliteration of the word in Arabic to help their pronunciation. Knowing pronouns and simple Arabic has been a tremendous help when working with beginning students. And our students know we are learning Arabic, so we sometimes commiserate together - irregular verbs in English and irregular plural forms in Arabic (both of which the learner has to memorize).

For Kelly's birthday, I went to a bakery down the road and asked the young woman at the counter which cake she recommended. She recommended a chocolate cake covered in fruit. I asked if she could still write "Happy Birthday Ya Kelly" (كيلي يا (on the cake. She told me she could write on the cake using a chocolate disk but didn't know how to write in Arabic. If I spelled it for her in Arabic, I asked, would she put it on the cake? She agreed. I wrote on a Post-it, and she went to the back of the store to finish the cake. Returning, she said, "I cannot decide if you are Arab." I smiled and told her, "No, I am new here and just learning the language." She told me she was surprised because she spoke Arabic but was born in Dearborn and didn't know how to read or write in Arabic. She thought it was good that I was learning and could read and write.

Read this email for more of Trevor & Kelly’s story of missionaries in Dearborn, Michigan.

Brian & Jessica Hansen

“If you had asked us if we’d be here a year ago—the answer would have been no,” said Brian and Jessica. “What would happen if your worst fears came true? How do you navigate back from that?”

Brian and Jessica met during Palm Sunday at Hope Church in 2009. Brian was serving on the worship team, and Jessica was home from Pepperdine University, visiting her parents, Brad & Betsy Allan. Next summer, when Jessica was on Summer Team, she and Brian reconnected at a Young Adults group at Paul and Carol’s house. After a few weeks of denial—and trying to set up Brian with her friend—she finally came around, and the rest is history!

Over the years, Brian and Jessica have served at Hope Church in many ways. Jessica served on the Summer Team from 2009 – 2011, and Brian helped create the architectural plan for Hope’s new property and the business plan for Elevate Coffee. Both have served faithfully on the worship team since the church started over a decade ago.

Brian and Jessica have always loved Hope Church and their life in Phoenix—but after dealing with some challenging personal circumstances and job changes during the pandemic, they longed for a change. “We felt complacent, and we thought a change would give us new life and that ‘thing’ we were searching for,” said Jessica. “We met with Pastor Paul, prayed, and then a week later, we got a call for Brian’s dream job in Bozeman. Everything was lining up for us to move to Montana.”

Brian and Jessica spent the next year preparing for their big move—they quit their jobs, packed their entire life into boxes, and put their house on the market. Brian left to start his new job while Jessica stayed behind to finish packing—but things didn’t work out exactly as they had planned. “I remember when he moved, and I was still here—my biggest fear was that it wouldn’t work out,” said Jessica. “The next day, I got the call from Brian that the job fell through, and he was coming home.”

Brian and Jessica felt they were back at “square one,” so they went on a getaway to South Carolina to listen to the Lord. “There were lots of things calling us to Montana, but there were things that didn’t make sense either,” said Brian. “We didn’t get the house we wanted in Montana, and we couldn’t sell our house in Phoenix. It worked out, because we were able to make a clean break from financial commitments and still have a home.” Jessica said, “We were hoping to be called out of the wilderness to live a life in the mountains. God started to show us that we could have the life we always dreamed of here, in Phoenix.”

While in South Carolina, Jessica also started to consider Pastor Paul’s proposition for her to join the Hope Staff Team as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator. “While praying on our trip, I started to feel like this job lined up with my career in education, coaching teachers and loving kids,” said Jessica. “I felt like all the pieces fit into this role.”

Brian and Jessica said getting away was a “huge turning point.” The week they returned home was Easter Sunday, or “Resurrection Sunday,” as Jessica said. “It was symbolic for us because we felt like so many dreams had died. We had put our hope in Montana and this job—and now, it was time to ‘resurrect’ our hope in something that will never disappoint us—Jesus. When we started to do that, everything else fell into place.” 

Shortly after Easter, Brian accepted a new job offer, and Jessica accepted the offer to work as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Hope Church. “It was exciting to feel the freedom to be myself,” said Jessica. “You’re worried about doing or saying the wrong thing in school. At Hope, there is so much grace. I truly feel loved for who I am.” 

Brian and Jessica are so grateful for the way the community at Hope has rallied around them during this challenging time. “I can’t imagine going through this experience without having our community at Hope to come back to,” said Brian.

When asked how Brian and Jessica have found hope while growing through this challenging season, Jessica said that “day by day, we keep our hope in Jesus. Hope isn’t found in the stuff of this world, or even a job. It’s only found in Jesus.”

Dan Kammrath

Dan Kammrath has supported Hope Church’s mission to reach and invest in the next generation for the past several years. He has supported the Summer Team, Hope Kids, and other ministries for children, youth, and college students. 

Dan’s entire world shifted when his son, Jordan, passed away unexpectedly in March 2021. Though Jordan didn’t attend Hope Church, Dan says he and his son “talked about church a lot,” and his son “loved and went on several trips” with Hope 4 Kids International—a faith-based organization committed to serving children around the world suffering from extreme poverty.  

Dan says his journey over the past few years has been extremely difficult. “I don’t know how some people make it through something like this without good friends, lots of support, and most importantly, faith in God,” he said. In honor of Jordan, Dan dedicated his life to giving back to children of all ages, emphasizing their mental, emotional, and spiritual health. “If what I do or who I support will save any number of lives—it’s all worth it,” says Dan. 

Dan’s commitment to showing children the love of Christ led him and Jordan’s mother, Cindy, to the Philippines this past September with Hope 4 Kids International. They visited for the dedication of Jordan’s Multipurpose Community Center, built in honor of their son, Jordan. When construction is completed next year, this center will be a safe place where kids from the community can come to learn, play basketball, attend to their medical needs, and enjoy church services and other fun events. 

“I just can’t say enough about the love, thanks, and prayers we all shared while we were there and how grateful these people are,” said Dan. “They are so poor and have nowhere to turn to for help other than organizations like Hope 4 Kids International. If you build them a home with a foundation, concrete walls, and a working bathroom—it feels like a mansion.” 

Dan says that while they visited the Philippines to help the kids, parents, and families there—the people they met during their trip helped him and Cindy in return. “They gave us flowers, cards, and handmade gifts to express their support and gratitude. They helped us work through our emotions, from being sad about Jordan to being happy, proud and touched by all the good this facility will bring. The dedication day was about as emotional of a day as you can imagine.” 

Dan is already planning his next trip with Hope 4 Kids next May to Romania—Jordan’s favorite trip he ever went on. He’s also excited to continue supporting the expansion happening at Hope Church. “Hope Church focuses on youth,” said Dan. “Statistically, it’s more challenging to gather financial resources with a younger congregation than a church with an older demographic. However, by supporting Hope Church, we can be confident we are keeping the church alive and providing the resources the church needs to bring the hope of God to future generations!” 

Dan misses his son dearly, but it gives him peace to know Jordan’s legacy is touching the lives of children worldwide by bringing them the hope of Jesus. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him,” says Dan. “Every morning, I walk with God and walk with him, tell him good morning, and say, ‘see you down the road, son.’”

Davin Brown

Davin Brown is at church almost every Sunday, but you may not always see him. That’s because he’s usually working “behind the scenes” to deliver an engaging worship experience as Hope Church’s Technology Director.

“I got connected at Hope Church in 2020 after I met David Sorensen doing worship technology at Grand Canyon University,” said Davin. “Growing up, I helped my family do technology at churches in California, which is where my passion for doing technology for ministries started.” However, to Davin, working at Hope Church is much more than a job—it’s a family. “Hope Church has always been so welcoming, and I have always known I am part of the family.”

Davin experienced significant healing, growth, and hope over the past year. It started when he received a nudge from the Lord to participate in Healing from Loss, one of Hope’s missional communities, in October 2021. “It opened me up to so many layers of grief and suffering I felt like I was enduring all the time,” said Davin. “I had never had such an awesome support group before, and I know I have people who will check on me when they know I’m not doing good.”

However, Davin says his involvement on the Summer Team this past summer was a major turning point in his life. “I remember pretty much being begged to be on the Summer Team, and I was asked to just try it out for a week or two to see how I liked it,” said Davin. “It took me a while to say yes, but I am so glad I did. Summer Team saved my life.”

Davin said the Compton Mission was one of his highlights from the summer. He said after his experience in Compton, he realized he could build relationships from faith and not just by doing things for people. Davin said, “Summer Team really taught me that relationships thrive on care for the other person and, of course, God’s unconditional love.”

Davin said that before Summer Team, he lost a lot of hope, but after the summer, “the way I talk to myself, the way I think about my family, and the way I see the world has totally changed,” said Davin. “I feel like I was given a chance to thrive again and not just survive each day. God has overflowed my cup with blessings that I would have thought were impossible a year ago.”

Cindy Harte

Cindy Harte and her husband, Jim, have been attending Hope Church for three years. However, their history with Pastor Paul & Carol goes back to when they all attended another church together. In fact, they live right down the street from each other! When Pastor Paul started Hope Church, Jim & Cindy didn’t feel ready to leave their old church, so they stayed put. 

However, God put it on Cindy’s heart three years ago to contact Pastor Paul. “I wasn’t feeling well at all,” said Cindy. “After we reconnected, Pastor Paul mentored me through some tough stuff.” Shortly after, Jim & Cindy started to attend Hope Church, and they didn’t waste any time getting involved! 

Cindy has served on the wedding ministry with Hope Barn & Gardens for the past two years. “For me, it doesn’t feel like work,” says Cindy. “It’s something I absolutely love, and I love the team I work with. There isn’t a wedding I don’t cry at, but it’s always tears of joy. I love helping to make people happy on their special day.” She is amazed at how much the wedding ministry has grown over the past few years. “We are totally booked every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from September through May,” she says. “When people come on our property, they are blown away by the place. It’s unbelievable!”  

Cindy is so grateful for all the ways God has blessed her with an amazing family, job, and opportunity to serve couples on their “big day” with Hope Barn & Gardens. But she also knows that her life would look drastically different if she hadn’t listened—and responded—to the things God has spoken to her over the years. “People need to take the time to slow down and listen to what God has for them,” says Cindy. “I listened to God and called Pastor Paul, followed through, and now Hope Church is a huge part of my life.” 

Cindy is already a huge blessing to couples through the wedding ministry and children through the Hope Kids ministry, and she says she isn’t going anywhere. “I am involved in many things at Hope Church, and I don’t think the Lord is finished with me yet. I think He has bigger plans for me, and I am excited to see where he is taking me!”

Mykenna Rogers

Mckynna Rogers is a middle school student who is an active participant in Hope Youth Jr. High—our missional community for junior high students. On Easter Sunday, Mckynna was baptized! She said her mom’s legacy played a huge role in her decision to get baptized this past year.

“My mom passed away when I was five years old with a very rare brain tumor. My brothers and I were all very young, and it hit my family hard. My mom believed in God and always went to church with us, but after she passed away, we stopped going to church for a while. We recently started going to church again a few years ago,” said Mckynna.

Mckynna says when she told her dad and mom about her desire to get baptized, they were extremely supportive. “My dad bought me a Bible, and he would read some of it to me every night. He said he would find a church where we could start going, so I could get baptized. He helped me learn more than what I already knew about God, and when he found Hope Church, I was so excited to get baptized and start going to church again!”

Mckynna says she and her family were warmly welcomed into Hope Church, and ever since then, there have been “awesome opportunities” and “awesome people” along the way. “After a year of talking to Austin about baptism, he helped my brothers and me get baptized on April 17th, 2022. It was such a special moment, and everyone I loved was there to see it!”

"Without Hope Church, I would not be where I am with my relationship with God right now,” says Mckynna. “I love being a part of Hope Youth Jr. High because I can be myself, and I don’t have to act like someone I’m not. Everyone is so welcoming, kind, supportive, and funny, and it’s always great to spend time with them because they are amazing people.”

Steve & Emma Elsner

Steve and Emma started attending Hope this April. They quickly became connected, began serving at the church, and just launched their own missional community for young married couples. 

Steve and Emma met at college in Indiana, fell in love, and got married in 2016. They moved to Phoenix from Indiana in 2019, got settled in, and immediately started looking for a church.  

Steve and Emma are no strangers to church—in fact, they both grew up attending church regularly as pastors’ kids. However, when they moved to Arizona, finding a church home proved to be no easy feat.  

Back in Indiana, Steve and Emma were part of an impactful missional community at their church. “It was a close-knit group of similarly-minded couples,” said Steve. “We ended up doing life together. We all got engaged, got married, and attended each other’s weddings. It was one of the most influential things we’ve been a part of.”  

Steve and Emma spent their first year in Arizona “church hopping,” unable to find a church that matched the level of the community they experienced at their church in Indiana. Unfortunately, the pandemic halted their quest for a church until earlier this year, in April.  

Since Hope was the closest church to their home, Steve and Emma decided to attend the outdoor Easter service. They were immediately drawn to the genuineness of the Hope community. “It felt like a family,” said Emma. “You could tell the people loved and cared for one another.”  

After just four weeks of attending Hope’s worship celebrations, Emma immediately volunteered to help with Vacation Bible School. “The rest is history,” said Steve. Emma is now volunteering with the Children’s Ministry, Steve and Emma both serve on the Hospitality team, and they’re both involved in Seek, the missional community for young adults. 

Steve and Emma just launched their own missional community for young married couples. “We want to encourage and support one another, and we want to build a community where we can do life together,” said Steve.  

Steve and Emma both feel like God has been faithful to bring solid friendships into their lives this year through their involvement at the church. Emma said, “Hope has been an answered prayer!” 

Anna Sawyer

Anna Sawyer served on our Summer Team this year. God's faithfulness has been a constant theme throughout her life, starting from the moment she was born! 

Anna and her twin sister Amber were born in China. Due to a strict one child per family policy, Anna and Amber’s birth mom placed her twins in a cardboard box outside a park gate after they were born, where they were later found by the police and placed in an orphanage. 

Anna believes the moment her birth mom gave her and her sister up was an “act of sacrificial love.” 

When Anna was thirteen months old, she and her sister, Amber, were adopted by Allan and Teresa Sawyer, and they moved across the world to Phoenix, Arizona. They grew up in a loving home alongside two supportive parents and their brothers, Michael and Andrew. “It was a miracle they were able to adopt both of us,” said Anna. 

"My family is such a blessing. My parents are invested in their kids’ lives and helping us grow spiritually, which is something I wanted in a family, even if I didn’t know it then,” said Anna. 

Anna believes her adoption was the beginning of God’s faithfulness to her, and it has led her to constantly ask the question, “Where is God calling me?”. 

"Whether it be my adoption, or getting to go to school, or being raised in a Christian home. These have all been blessings that have led me to where I am now and where God is calling me to go next,” said Anna. 

Anna was deeply impacted by her experience on the Summer Team. Although she was nervous about applying and had doubts about being a leader, she was quickly proven wrong. 

“I’ve grown a lot. I’ve seen how other people have poured into me, and I’ve seen how I’ve been able to pour into the kids over the summer. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, and my faith has grown!” said Anna. 

Matt & Tori Walker

Matt and Tori Walker recently started attending Hope in November 2019. They thought their time at the church would be a short-lived transition—but they’ve found “home” in the Hope community. 

Matt and Tori are from Michigan, and they both grew up in Christian families. “We were those people who went to church three to four times a week,” said Tori. 

Matt and Tori met in their early 20s. Matt started playing the drums during worship for a college ministry that Tori was leading. Soon after, the two began to hang out and record music together. Then, they fell in love and got married! 

Matt and Tori both worked at a church in Michigan for ten years. In 2018, they felt called to move to Arizona to coordinate the worship ministry for a friend’s church plant. Shortly after, the church plant merged with another church, and they felt a sense of peace about moving away and trying something new. 

“We needed time to heal from moving away from everyone and everything we knew in Michigan,” said Tori. “We were looking for a church that was close to where we live so we could have a church community and a place where our kids could learn about God.” 

That’s when Matt, Tori, and their three children found Hope Church. 

Tori said, “We honestly thought it would be a short-lived transition place where we could take a step back from ministry. However, we love the Hope Church community! We feel like it’s become our church family.” 

Tori quickly started serving on the worship team by playing the guitar, playing the keyboard, and singing. “God has given each of us gifts, and we are to use them to build up the church,” said Tori. “I feel that this is how I can edify, serve, and lead others in the church during this season.” 

Despite some challenging times over the past few years, Matt and Tori have both seen God’s faithfulness to their family. “Whether we’ve been in good times or hard times, God has always been there to show us that He loves us,” said Tori. “He has been our constant provider. He never fails.” 

Connie Sorensen

Connie Sorensen lost his wife, Jeanne Sorensen, earlier this year after 68 wonderful years of marriage. Discover their incredible story of living life on mission together and the many ways Connie has been encouraged by the Hope community during this challenging year. 

Connie Sorensen and his wife, Jeanne, met at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp in Iowa when they were 14 years old. They were married in July 1953. Connie said, “It took her seven years to come around, but I finally won!” 

Connie and Jeanne share two sons, Mark and Paul. Connie sold restaurant equipment and built houses, and Jeanne taught as a school teacher. However, in 1973, Connie and Jeanne felt a call from the Lord to serve at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp. 

“The camp was about to close, and I believe God called us there,” said Connie. “I was responsible for building two retreat centers. Jeanne was really good at keeping track of the books and staff. My wife was the brain, and I was the mouth. We made a great team.” 

Jeanne joined her Heavenly Father on February 24th, 2021, after 68 years of marriage and a lifetime of faithful service to the Lord. “I miss Jeanne a lot,” said Connie. “I wanted to save all my time for Jeanne when she was alive, but now, I feel like I’ve been able to spend time meeting new people.” 

Connie says he is so grateful for the support that has been shown to him by the Hope community. “So many people have been good to me,” said Connie. “I’ve gotten rides from people, I’ve had lunch with people, and I know there has been a lot of prayer.” He also said it was very touching that four Hope families traveled from Arizona to Iowa for Jeanne’s Celebration of Life at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp this past summer. “That meant a lot since it was such a long way to travel,” he said. 

Connie also said his involvement in the Men's Bible Study with Trey Neeman has helped him, and he's currently attending the People of Prayer group on the third Sunday of the month with Tom and Joy Kelly. He also enjoys Sunday morning worship and says the church "has a really great preacher." 

Despite the heartbreak of losing his beloved wife, Connie rests in the promises and peace of the Lord. He said, “God has been so good to me!” 

Ivan & Lillian Tovar

Ivan and Lillian attended Hope's Christmas Eve service in 2019. Now, Lillian works as the Communication & Office Manager and serves on the Hope Barn & Gardens Wedding Team at Hope. Discover the many ways that Hope has been an answered prayer for the Tovar family.  

Ivan and Lillian were married in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2006. Life happened quickly for the Tovar family. In the span of their first four years of marriage, they moved into a new home in the Norterra neighborhood, welcomed two children, Tristan and Brooke, into their family, and both left well-paying jobs to start their dental practice, Pleasant Valley Dentistry. 

Before the Tovar family came to Hope in 2019, finding a church that Ivan and Lillian both loved had been a lifelong struggle. Ivan grew up going to Catholic churches, and Lillian grew up going to Baptist churches. So, they decided they would alternate—one weekend, their family would go to Catholic Mass, and the following weekend, their family would go to a Christian church. 

Ivan and Lillian were continually optimistic and prayed for a church they would both love to "pop up" in the community. Shortly after Ivan's mother passed away, Ivan and Lillian noticed construction on a new church near their home. That church was Hope Church, and the name stood out to them because "hope" was the meaning of Ivan's mom's name.  

After years of saying, "We should try that church out!" Ivan, Lillian, Tristan, and Brooke decided to attend Hope's Christmas Eve service in 2019. Hope immediately became "home" for the Tovar family. "When we came to Hope, everything in our professional, personal, and spiritual lives fell into place," said Ivan. "Hope has solidified our faith as a family. It's so nice for all four of us to be able to say that Hope Church is our place.” 

Lillian now serves on Hope Barn & Garden's Wedding Team and as the Communication & Office Manager for Hope Church. Before working at Hope, Lillian had spent more than a decade working as Pleasant Valley Dentistry’s administrator—but she was ready for a change.  

"After working at the practice for so many years, I prayed for a job that would fulfill me and allow me to excel in something I enjoyed doing," said Lillian. Hope has been that answered prayer for Lillian. "This job is so different from jobs I've had in the past because now, I'm working for God's ministry. I pray everything I do glorifies God and is a sweet aroma to Him," said Lillian.  

Ivan and Lillian have continually seen God's faithfulness in their marriage, family, work, and spiritual lives. "We know that we're not alone. We know that God is with us!" 

Jimmy & Janene Armstrong

Jimmy and Janene are both shining God’s light in their day-to-day lives. Here's a look at how they use their gifts and stories to serve others in their careers—and at Hope! 

Jimmy has been a part of the Hope community from the beginning. He grew up in Phoenix, and he has an entrepreneurial background. “I’ve started and operated several businesses. I love taking something that’s nothing and turning it into something.” 

Jimmy has taken his love for transforming businesses and channeled that energy into helping people transform their lives. Jimmy started Another Level of Community—an organization that helps restore men and women bound by the justice system back into the community. 

This organization isn’t just another business venture, however. This cause is near and dear to Jimmy’s heart. 

"When I came to Hope Church, I was coming out of a situation where I had been in some legal trouble, and I had to deal with the justice system. I was at a low place in my life. Through being a part of Hope Church, God restored my life from where I had fallen. Through my experience at Hope Church, I can help restore other men who have fallen into the justice system back into society," said Jimmy. 

Janene is also shining the light of the Lord through her work. Janene works at Midwestern University on the administration team for the Clinical Psychology department. Janene said, “I try to take advantage of every opportunity.” 

"Sometimes, we wait for God to drop opportunities in our life, but when we do that, we miss opportunities to make a difference in ways we never expected. Even if it's just a word or an action, I know I can make a difference, especially being surrounded by so many busy college students who are stressed and overwhelmed," said Janene. 

Jimmy and Janene have been involved at Hope in powerful ways over the years. They’ve served on the Hospitality Team, been a part of the Men’s Group and Women’s Group, taken leadership classes, and have delivered messages for our Lenten Message Series. 

When asked what it means to be a part of the Hope community, Jimmy summed up his answer in one word: “Freedom.” 

"Being a part of Hope has helped me gain a sense of freedom," said Jimmy. "I've come out of religions where God loves you based on what you're doing, but being a part of Hope lifts that burden. The church lets me be who I am without judgment and persecution." 

Maggie Rouston

Maggie started attending Hope after moving to Phoenix last September. She quickly became a part of Seek, the Young Adults group.

Initially, Maggie was nervous about attending Seek because she had never been part of a church community. She said that “after a couple of months passed, I started to feel more comfortable. I was always excited to see everyone and learn more about God. I like that Hope isn’t intimidating, but instead, it’s more personal.”

This past summer, Maggie worked as a nurse on the Covid-19 unit at LifeStream Senior Living in Youngtown, Arizona. She said working on the Covid-19 floor was challenging because the patients and nurses were isolated from friends and family.

Despite the hardships, Maggie said that she experienced God’s faithfulness during her time on the Covid-19 unit.

“I was reaffirmed that God was watching over us after having conversations with my coworkers. Covid-19 was really bad at most facilities. We had a remarkable recovery rate, and most employees who contracted the virus recovered quickly.”

Maggie appreciated the support of the Seek community during her time on the Covid-19 unit.

“Even though I wasn’t always able to join our Seek calls, it helped to know that they were praying for my patients and me—having a community made me feel better. I’ve truly developed a family at Hope Church.”

Michael Henegar

Michael started to attend Hope Church in 2019, and he quickly became involved in the Hope Youth group for high school students. This July, we had the opportunity to celebrate Michael’s baptism with him!

Michael said that his involvement in the high school group significantly impacted his faith journey and his decision to be baptized.

“Aaron and Alyssa created a warm and loving environment where I felt like I could talk about anything that I needed to. Aaron can make a room laugh and seriously think about Jesus at the same time. He helped us develop good prayer habits, gave us time to ask questions, and was always free to answer my questions.”

Michael said that what ultimately convinced him to be baptized was the community he experienced within the high school group.

“Hope Youth is a loving environment that helped me to feel loved by Jesus because I felt loved by others around me. It gave me somewhere to show my real self in Christ, and it gave me a place to connect with Jesus and others who were also connecting with Him.”

Michael is currently a freshman at Arizona State University and is studying computer systems engineering. He says that he plans to continue attending the college group with Aaron and wants to become a junior high ministry leader at Hope.

“I’ve never felt such joy,” said Michael. “Jesus is improving my life every single day!”

Selena Beck

Selena and her daughter, Mariah, have been attending Hope for the past two years. Hope has partnered with Selena to invest in Mariah who is passionate about sharing her faith with others, even at a young age.

Selena loves that Hope has given her opportunities to learn new things and grow in the gifts and talents that the Lord has given her.

Selena currently works with the Hope Barn and Gardens wedding team, serves on the Hope Kids team on Sunday mornings, and cares for the gorgeous flowers planted throughout Hope’s property.

Recently, Selena joined a Huddle with Sue Abram, our Children’s Ministry Coordinator. Selena said that being in the Huddle has helped her to understand how vital fellowship is.

“We need other believers in our lives to help us grow in our faith,” said Selena.

Selena is so grateful for the opportunity she has been given to jump in and be a part of God’s work at Hope.

“We are so thankful to be a part of this amazing church family,” said Selena. “There is truly a place for everyone!”

Lance & Amanda Whitman

We had the opportunity to witness an exciting breakthrough in Lance and Amanda’s lives this year. They are having a baby!

Lance and Amanda’s path to parenthood was not easy. After trying to conceive for over a year with no answers as to why they were not getting pregnant, Lance and Amanda started the adoption process with Christian Family Care.

“We knew adoption would be a part of our story at some point,” said Amanda. “We just thought that we would have biological kids first.”

Lance and Amanda felt confident about welcoming an adopted child into their family after several months of classes and interviews. While they were patiently waiting for a birth mom to contact them, they received some surprising news. They were pregnant!

“We had to spend some time processing the news,” said Amanda. “I was prepared to be an adoptive mom, so being a biological mom felt foreign and strange. After talking to God about it, we started to feel more prepared and excited for our biological child.”

Lance and Amanda are incredibly grateful for the Seek community's support during this challenging and emotional season of their lives.

“When we were struggling with infertility, I can’t put into words how much it meant to us to have a group of people who supported us and prayed for us. We had been praying for a solid group of faith-based friends. It’s been a big blessing that God has placed these people in our lives.”

Lance and Amanda have learned a lot about trusting the Lord during the family planning process.

“The way that our family looks is not my plan... it’s His plan,” said Amanda. “His plan will always be better than anything I could have ever thought or imagined for my life.”

Lance and Amanda’s baby boy is due on March 1st. They say that they are looking forward to having a baby to  “explore with, play with, and teach about God” and that they are excited to give their biological son an adopted brother or sister one day in the future.

Jim & Gill Troxel

Jim and Gill got married this spring during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their story is remarkable and demonstrates that the Lord’s timing is always perfect!

Jim and Gill met on a mission trip to the Philippines with Hope 4 Kids International in October 2019. Jim wasn’t sure that he would make the trip, but his friends convinced him to go just three weeks before the trip started.

The couple discovered that they liked each other during the mission trip and decided to write to each other when they returned home. A few months later, Gill flew to Arizona from her home in New Zealand to explore Arizona with Jim. During this trip, the couple decided that they wanted to pursue a marriage relationship.

Jim said, “I didn’t know her that well, but I knew she was a solid Christian.”

After visiting Gill’s family in New Zealand, they set a wedding date for April 25th. Gill planned to move to Arizona in March.

But then, the world began to change rapidly as the Covid-19 pandemic started spreading across the United States. Gill felt that the Lord was telling her to move her flight to one week earlier, so she did. If she has waited until her original flight date to move to the United States, the country’s borders would have been closed.

“Just getting here was a miracle,” said Gill.

Jim says that the support of the Men’s Group has been instrumental in his relationship with Gill and with the Lord.

“The Men’s Group has helped me a lot,” said Jim. “There were a number of us in the group that were single. Now, we’ve all gotten married. Knowing that I could talk to them about what I was feeling and having their support during the process was reassuring.”

Gill has appreciated that the people at Hope are friendly and accepting and that her relationships at Hope have led to some fantastic opportunities.

“There were so many things that happened that there was no way it could have been a coincidence,” said Jim. “It was God working out all the details!”

Jesus Christ is the center of our community, and we believe Jesus is the hope for our lives and for the entire world. 

God created the universe. God is loving, compassionate, just and kind. His deepest desire is to live in an intimate relationship with you and all people.

There is a Triune God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge one God in these three persons.

God became human. This is because of His desire to live in a relationship with us. Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is fully God and fully man. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for all people to live in a relationship with God. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Through Him and Him alone can people enter into a relationship with God. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus Christ among us. Through Him God loves us, empowers us and lives in us. The Spirit gives gifts to all believers. We believe in all the gifts of the Spirit and encourage their use.

The Bible is the Word of God. Through it, God reveals Himself to us. The entire Bible is God-breathed and God-inspired. The Old and New Testaments are the norm and guide upon which we base our faith. The Bible is our text and the Holy Spirit ignites our lives through worship and prayer.

The Church is the body of Christ. As His Body, we are called to worship Him, serve Him and be the vehicle through which the Good News is shared with the world.

Lutheran Confessions are part of our DNA. We affirm and identify with the confessions of the Lutheran Church. We affirm the centrality of grace alone, faith alone, and Word alone.

Baptism is more than a sacrament, it's a powerful command we want to uphold. We believe that through the waters of Baptism, God comes to us to adopt us as His children. Through Baptism, God gives the gift of new life. We affirm the baptism of infants and adults.

Communion is a holy sacrament we practice regularly. We believe that through the Lord's Supper, God comes to love us and forgive us. It is a meal of renewal. Jesus is really present in the meal.

Humans have dignity. We believe in the worth and value of every human being. Because they're created in God's image, humans have dignity. Their worth is dependent not on accomplishments, but on God's love. Because God sees humanity as worth dying for, we affirm and acknowledge the dignity of all humans.

Sin separates humanity from God. We believe sin is more than just behavior, it is a condition of the heart that every human faces. We joyfully proclaim the Good News that because of Jesus Christ, forgiveness and freedom are possible. It is that forgiveness that restores fallen humanity's worth.

Jesus will come again, and we anticipate His return. Though we don't know the day or hour, we joyfully proclaim His soon return to inspire all people to make the most of life today.

PAUL SORENSEN
LEAD PASTOR

pauls@hopechurch.me

Pastor Paul has served in ministry leadership for the past 32 years. He currently leads Hope Church and is also faculty in the School of Theology at Grand Canyon University. Early in his career, Paul led a national touring Christian rock band, organized youth leadership training seminars, college and young adult retreats, youth conferences and trained international mission teams.

As Executive and Lead Pastor of Community Church of Joy (1987-2008), Paul helped launch a variety of innovative ventures, including the small group and new member assimilation ministries, the relocation of Joy’s campus, Bison Ranch Retreat Center, Joy Christian School, and the national Church Coach Network.

Paul attended St. Olaf College (music major), and graduated from Metropolitan State University (B.A. with business emphasis) and Luther Theological Seminary (M.Div.). In 2004 he received his Ph.D. in leadership from Capella University, with a certification in non-profit management. His doctoral research focused on the impact of entrepreneurial leadership in sustaining congregational growth and vitality.

Paul loves to travel, hang out with friends, learn new stuff, exercise, and spend time with Carol, his wife of 37 years, and his three children David , Nathan, and April.

AARON WHITESELL
HOPE YOUTH MINISTRY LEADER

aaron@hopechurch.me

Aaron joined the Hope team in 2018 as an Intern and is now our leading the Youth Ministry. Aaron was born and raised in Texas and came to know Jesus in high school. Since then, he desires to serve Him in every area of his life. This desire led him to Eternity Bible College in California, where he met his wife Alyssa. He is currently completing his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. 

Over the past seven years, Aaron has either had involvement in or led various student ministries. He has a heart to serve students and families in Phoenix while helping them understand God’s love for them and their new identity in Christ.

Aaron and his wife Alyssa were married in 2015 and are parents to an orange tabby cat named Figaro. In their free time they enjoy hiking, exploring new places, watching movies, and reading. Aaron is also passionate about video games and the gaming community. He enjoys coffee and works part-time at Starbucks.

Aaron is looking forward to getting to doing life with the students and families at Hope Church!

JONATHAN CANTON
WORSHIP MINISTRY LEADER

jonathan@hopechurch.me

Jonathan has been involved with and leading worship in various settings for 20 plus years. He began playing piano at 8 and drums at 10 but In high school he fell in love with playing guitar. Generally speaking he “loves music,” his top influences, “secular artists” range from John Mayer, EWF, and Stevie Wonder to The Beatles, Victor Wooten, Dave Matthews, Rascal Flatts, and James Tylor. He loves to blend these musical influences into the songs he plays to honor God skillfully! He can often be heard singing some of his favorite praise and worship song by Phil Wickham, Matt Redman, Brandon Lake, Bethel, and the Fathers House.

He and his wife Holly are originally from Northern California. They met in their Jr. High youth group JAM (Jesus and Me). At the time of this writing they have been married 15 years! They are grateful for all God has done in their marriage and how He has led them to Hope.

After praying for a few years and waiting on God’s timing - Christmas Day 2015 they moved to Arizona. 

They love trying new food and going to Disneyland as often as possible. In 2020 they welcomed their daughter Grace. They are International Miami Soccer Club fans and watch as a family whenever they can but more frequently which every Disney movie Grace is into.

LILLIAN TOVAR
COMMUNICATIONS & OFFICE MANAGER

lillian@hopechurch.me

Lillian is originally from Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Human Resource Management.

She has been married to her husband, Ivan, for 15 years, and they share two kids, Tristan & Brooke, and have a 3-year-old Cavachon named Koufax!

Lillian enjoys traveling, camping, and going out to eat in restaurants around the neighborhood. She currently works as an office manager with her husband, a dentist, and helps coordinate weddings for Hope Barn & Gardens.

AUSTIN SCHLEIER
HOPE YOUTH JUNIOR HIGH LEADER

austin@hopechurch.me

Austin is a Phoenix native and graduated from Centennial High School. Since middle school, Austin has been attending Hope Church and has watched Hope grow over the years. He was actively involved in the youth group through high school, which led him to begin living in a relationship with Jesus.

He graduated from Arizona Christian University with a Bachelor's in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Christian Ministry and a minor in Biblical Studies. He was also a colligate football player for four years at ACU.

Austin has been doing youth ministry since 2016. He began reaching students through Young Life (where Austin met his wife Elisa) as a leader for a few years in college. Austin joined Hope Church's staff team in 2019 as an intern for youth ministry and joined the high school youth ministry team with Aaron Whitesell during his internship time. Since then, he has launched Hope Youth Junior High and loves connecting with middle school students.

Austin got married on Valentine's Day 2021 to his wonderful wife Elisa at Hope, and together, they help lead the high school youth with Aaron. They love to watch Marvel movies, make new friends, travel, and enjoy being a family who loves and shares Jesus. Austin also works part-time as a barista at Dutch Bros. Coffee in West Glendale and is always up for a good conversation over coffee or a solid adventure!

JESSICA HANSEN
HOPE KIDS MINISTRY LEADER

jessica@hopechurch.me

Jessica is an Arizona native who has been part of the Hope family since 2009. Over the years, she has served on the Summer Team and in worship before having the incredible opportunity to serve the children and families of Hope as our Hope Kids leader.

Jessica graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in elementary education specializing in arts integration and has taught everything from preschool to middle school science. Most recently, she was an instructional coach helping to support teachers through collaborative partnerships.

She met her husband Brian at Hope, and they live in their fixer-upper with their 100 lb. fluffball named Murphy. A few of her favorite things are AJ's iced teas, office supplies, college football (Go Blue!), and being in a state of maximum coziness at all times. If it has anything to do with the arts—from hand lettering to improv—she'll be there!

DAVIN BROWN
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR

Davin Brown joined the team in August 2020. He was raised in Southern California and started his college journey at Grand Canyon University in 2018.

Davin has served alongside his parents doing worship ministry since he was young, which flared his passion and career interest in new technology.

He plans to travel after he graduates and become an audio technical engineer for venues, churches, and theatrical performances.

Davin loves to make people smile and go on last minute adventures. He is a diligent learner who gives all glory and honor to the Lord!

JANINE WINCHESTER
HOPE BARN & GARDENS EVENT MANAGER

janine@hopebarnandgardens.com

Janine was born in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Florida. She moved to Arizona with her family right after she graduated from high school.

Janine married her husband, Michael, 28 years ago. They share two grown children, Jonah and Presley.

Janine works as the Event Manager for Hope Barn and Gardens. Her favorite part of her job is the strong relationships she forms with the brides and grooms who get married at Hope. Developing strong relationships, both professionally and personally, is the foundation of everything she does.

Janine loves to travel, meet new people, and spend time with her family. She also loves to serve on the Children’s Team at Hope!