JAY VAN
GELDER
Pastor of Student Ministries
jvangelder@spencerhope.org
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.”
JULIA
ANDELA
Director of Children and Family Ministries
jandela@spencerhope.org
I am a proud Spencer native and Hope Youth alum! After high school, I went on to South Dakota State University (GO JACKS!) to pursue Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I taught middle school in Sioux Falls, SD and kindergarten in North Liberty, IA before moving home to Spencer where God opened the door for me to step into ministry here at Hope! I love how God has allowed me to use my "teacher skills" to now teach our Hope Kids about the greatest news ever -- The Gospel! My husband, Cam, and I have two amazing kiddos, Remington and Beckett, and the "goodest" Golden Retriever, Rhett. Cam and I are passionate about living out God's call in James 1:27 "to love the orphan" through foster care. We also just love to enjoy God's creation together-- going on walks, gardening, hunting, boating, Jacks games, you name it! It's hard for me to choose a favorite Bible verse, but Isaiah 55:8-9 has been a passage that The Lord has proven to be true throughout my life, and are words I continue to cling to when I don't understand things earthside. God is sovereign and He always knows what is best!
AUSTIN
BRYAN
Worship Intern/Youth Intern
abryan@spencerhope.org
I was born and raised in Spencer Iowa and grew up attending Hope Reformed Church. You will often see me wearing red because I am a huge Iowa State fan. My life plan was to become a politician within the Iowa Government. My plans quickly changed as I decided to not finish my fall semester in 2021 and pursue youth ministry. In my free time I enjoy being involved with music ministry, soccer, and disc golf. My life verse is Luke 10:2; "He told them,'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the LORD of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field'."
PERRY
DEGROOT
Pastor Emeritus and Congregational Care
pastorpd@spencerhope.org
I spent most of my childhood and all my teenage years growing up on a farm near Doon, Iowa. After graduating from Central Lyon H.S. in Rock Rapids, where I participated in choir and several sports; my initial goal was to become a history teacher and basketball coach. However, the Lord had another plan for me, when at the age of 16 I realized the need to confess Jesus as my Savior and Lord. As a result, I attended Northwestern College in Orange City, believing that the Lord was calling me to ministry. It was there that I became a pre-seminary student and met my spouse, Joyce. She grew up on a farm south of Orange City and was an Elementary Education major. After graduating from Northwestern, we moved to Holland, Michigan, where I completed four years of seminary. Joyce and I have raised four daughters. We have served five different churches and the longest was 17 years in Spencer, where our daughters graduated from high school. Upon retirement in 2016 we moved back to Spencer. Since September 2022, I have been serving Hope Church as Pastor Emeritus to provide congregational care and counseling with appointments at Church as well as calling on the hospitalized. In addition, my other services provided for Hope Church are related to pulpit supply, weddings, baptisms, and funerals.
JOSH
HAMRICK
Facilities Manager
jhamrick@spencerhope.org
I grew up on a farm by Everly Iowa and went to the CC-E school. I have always enjoyed 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 3, 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 4, 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!
JILL
LOWE
Office Administrator
hrc@spencerhope.org
I was born and raised in Waverly, Iowa. I attended the University of Northern Iowa where I met my husband, Craig. After graduation we moved to Spencer, and we joined Hope Church shortly after that. We have two grown children, Taylor and Jared. Acts of Service is one of my love languages, and as a result I have volunteered in Women’s, Youth, and Children’s Ministries here at Hope. I worked at a print shop for 22 years doing design work when God called me the Office Administrator position at Hope. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
LEVI
MORRIS
Treasurer
I grew up in Spencer and graduated from Spencer High School before attending the University of Northern Iowa. After graduation, I moved back to the area to take a job at Community State Bank, where I still work as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Shortly after marrying my wife, Katie, we made the decision to join Hope Church because we heard so many wonderful things about the family and youth ministry. Since then, we have had three children: 2 daughters, Blake and Collins, and a son, Briggs. We participate in the children and family events and view Hope Church as our church family.
MISSY
LAIR
Nursery Coordinator
I was born and raised in Spencer, Iowa. God's plan for me was to take care of his children. On June 1st, 1992, I started my own in-home daycare. With the support of my husband, Matt and my children, Ashley and Tyler, I have continued doing so for over 30 years. If you can't find me in the church sanctuary, you’ll find me in my favorite place, the nursery. My life verse would be Isaiah 40:11. "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
TIM
YEAGER
Maintenance
I was born and raised in the Milford and Estherville area. I have two older brothers, Pat and Mike. Mike lives in Spencer and Pat passed away in 2019. I am married to Michele (Hamrick) Yeager and she is employed by Northwest Bank Corp Office in the Accounting department. We have two grown children and one granddaughter. Jess and his wife, Jennie, and their daughter, Ashlyn, are in Spencer. Michael and his wife, Valeri, also live in Spencer. In my spare time I like to watch sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings or the Iowa State Cyclones.