RUSSELL MUILENBURG
Lead Pastor
I am a native of Northwest Iowa, having grown up in the small Sioux County town of Hospers. I have been the Lead Pastor at Hope Church since 2007. My wife, Beth, and I have four children. I am passionate about the church being a place of joy where we can experience the very best God has for us even as we serve Him. I also love to help people see how the Bible speaks to their lives. I don’t think God is boring, and so I don’t think church should be boring either.
JAY VAN GELDER
YOUTH PASTOR
I was born and raised in Orange City, Iowa. The plan for my life was to be a hog farmer, but God had bigger plans and called me to youth ministry in 1996. I have been the Youth Pastor at Hope Church since 2008. My wife, Shantel, and I have been blessed with two daughters, Shayler and Kamdyn. My mission statement is to be an influencer for Jesus Christ. I believe in building relationships with others, and I love to encourage and inspire young people to have a personal relationship with Jesus and to walk with them as they discover and grow in their faith journey. My life verse is found in Ephesians 3:20. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work, within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
BETH MUILENBURG
DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Being an introvert by nature, talking about myself is not the most comfortable thing for me. I find listening to other people’s stories much more interesting than mine. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home and made profession of faith when I was seven years old. I have felt God calling me to serve Him since then. My passion is helping people know Jesus better and walking beside those going through difficult times. I can’t wait to see how God is going to move in His people!
TRENT HANSEN
ASSISTANT YOUTH DIRECTOR & COMMUNICATIONS
I was born and raised in Fremont, Nebraska and grew up attending First Lutheran Church. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2018 with a degree in Psychology. You will often see me wearing red as I am a huge Husker fan, so huge that I was the mascot for three years! I was introduced to Hope Church when the Hope Youth Junior High group came to Immerse Lincoln, where I was an intern, in Lincoln, NE for their 2017 summer work trip. When I was seeking youth ministry positions, I was ecstatic to hear Hope Church had a part-time position open as of August 2018. I am excited to work with Hope Church! One of my life verses is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When I was struggling with my plans on becoming an engineer, I prayed to God to ask Him what He wanted me to do. God spoke to me that same week and said I needed to look into youth ministry. I am so thankful God threw this curveball at me and I’m excited to see how he blesses me in my ministry
Craig Cannon
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Before moving to the Midwest, I was a native of the East Coast. I have been involved in music and worship ministry at various churches over the years. I have a passion to connect people with God through music and other creative elements that bring joy and attention to the Lord. My wife Katie and I are newly married and joined Hope Church in September 2019.
LORI SWANSON
OFFICE MANAGER
I am very excited to be on staff here and serve my home church as office administrator. Hope Church has been an important part of my life since I was a toddler. As empty-nesters, my husband and I enjoy traveling, cooking, and spending time outdoors.
JOSHUA HAMRICK
FACILITIES MANAGER
I grew up on a farm by Everly Iowa and went to the CC-E school. I have always enjoyed the the great outdoors hunting, fishing and playing in the snow! I was married to my wife Krista in 2006. Krista and I have 3 kids Treyton, Javen, and Anna. Krista begged me to go to church with her and the kids for years, but I would never go with her. In 2013 she finally got me to go. I remember the preacher kept telling us not to take his word for it but to read our bibles for ourselves.
So after listening to that for a few weeks I took some of our bill money and bought two bibles one for me and one for my wife. I had never even opened one before and could not put mine down. God was truly speaking to me! On March 3rd 2014 I was baptized and knew that day I wanted a new life in Christ Jesus and try to live every day for Him. On August 4th, 2017 my daughter and I were in an accident. She went to her heavenly home to be with God, the one who gave her to me and the Father of us all. She truly loved Jesus. She had a very special relationship with him. In that, God has led me to Hope Church, I have come to serve God and his people. I want to share his love with people and watch him change their life as he teaches all of us to trust in him more and more every day. Trust that God is above all things, made all things, to him be all THE glory, all honor, and all praise!
Sarah Kerns
Children and Family Director
I grew up in Wisconsin (yes, I love cheese) but moved to the Iowa/South Dakota area and went to three more high schools before graduation in 2003. Becoming a nurse at 19 years old was a huge accomplishment for me but God recently revealed a different path. Although resistant at first, I decided to follow His calling, abandon all control, and jump into this role. I have always loved kids and had a passion for healthy families but here I get to guide them all in a way that is full of love and eternal reward! I feel so fortunate that myself, my husband of 8 years – Cody, and our three kids – Lexi, Cohen, & Layton, get to be a part of this family who are passionate about bringing joy to Jesus and experiencing joy in Him!