Kirk was born and raised in Fairport, NY - a suburb of Rochester. He attended Cedarville College where he met his best friend and wife, Valerie, at an ice skating party in 1988. They were married in June of 1990 and then moved to Indiana where Kirk completed his master's degree at Grace Theological Seminary. After 15 years in pastoral ministry Kirk headed back to school and in 2010 earned a doctorate in Advanced Missional Leadership from Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA.
Kirk’s greatest joy in life is living rightly and helping others live rightly. He says, “What else can be more fun and provide more joy than having the right attitude, the right response, and doing the right thing in all the challenges and circumstances of life. Life is hard and there is nothing better than doing it rightly. I believe that rightness is revealed in Jesus, whom I have discovered through serious questioning, searching, and reflection in the Bible and other works of history. I've discovered him to be "The way the truth and the life." John 14:6.”
Kirk and Valerie currently reside in Elizabethtown with their 5 children. In his spare time Kirk enjoys backpacking, trout fishing, hunting, working in the garden and spending time with his family.
Email him at Kirk@hopechurchonline.org for any questions or to set up an appointment to meet with him.
Joe was born and raised in Phoenixville, Pa., just outside Valley Forge National Park - a suburb of Philadelphia. He attended Millersville University and began his commercial insurance career when he was invited to attend a local church by a friend. He met his wife and best friend, Betsy, after playing volleyball at the church ice cream social in 1991. They were married in October 1992 and eventually moved to King of Prussia, Pa. Joe completed his master's degree at Cairn University and comes to us after working for over 13 years in pastoral ministry.
Joe says, “My purpose in life is to experience God’s presence, faithfully allowing God to use me as a transformational influence, inspiring others to maximize their God-given potential.” His passion comes Jeremiah 9:23-24; Romans 12:1-2; John 10:10. Nothing compares he says to living with purpose, on purpose and helping others do the same.
Joe and Betsy live in Mount Joy. They have two grown children; a daughter and son-in-law who live in Georgia and a son who lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia. In his spare time, Joe enjoys exercising, watching sports (especially Eagles football and NCAA basketball), reading, listening to music, going to the beach, and spending time with his family.
Email him at joe@hopechurchonline.org for any questions or to set up an appointment to meet with him.
Laura was raised in Centre County, Pa. While attending Penn State University in 1989, she met her husband Sandy when he was home on leave from the Navy. They married in 1990 and moved to San Diego where he was stationed. After three years, they returned to PA, but ended up in North Carolina for work where they home schooled and raised six children. Their family was very involved in church ministry in Youngsville for 15 years. In 2012, they moved back to PA for Sandy's job and settled in Harrisburg to be part of a church plant.
Because she realizes everything in this world belongs to God and since He values relationships with people above all else, Laura's favorite verse comes from Job 1:21, "And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." This verse reminds her that the souls of people are the only thing that will last eternally and makes the mandate of Jesus clear; it is our job to make Him known to all that they might be saved. This is the most important mission we have while on earth.
Laura, Sandy and two of their six children, along with Laura's mother live in Harrisburg. Laura is involved with various ministries, leads in home Bible studies, loves coffee time with friends, crafting and working on home projects.
Email her at office@hopechurchonline.org for any questions or to reserve an event on the church calendar.
Becky was born and raised in Lancaster county and graduated from Lancaster Bible College. She has been involved in Children's Ministry for 20 years and has served as the Children's Ministry Director at Hope since 2006. She and her husband live in Elizabethtown with their one son. Some of Becky's hobbies include reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31- "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Email her at Becky@hopechurchonline.org for questions specifically related to Kingdom Kids (ages birth to 6th grade).
James was born and raised in Minersville, PA. He moved to the area after graduating from Penn College of Technology. He met his wife Julie at the Hershey Free Church where they were part of the same worship team. He and his wife have five children. They live in the Hershey/Hummelstown area. He is a Sr. Process Engineer for a local computer component manufacturer. In his free time, he enjoys music, playing his guitar, hunting, fishing, going to the hunting camp, football, and times with the family.
James comes to us after 20+ years of worship ministry at the Hershey Free Church. James has always had a love and gift for music. He plays guitar and sings. He received his Bachelors degree in Bible/Ministry from Lancaster Bible College in 2010. He has a deep desire to use his God given gifts and worship ministry experience to lead the “church” in worshiping the one true God in spirit and in truth.
James views the following passage as an all encompassing outlook on life; "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” -Philippians 4:4–8 NIV.
Email James at worship@hopechurchonline.org for items related to Hope's Worship Ministry.
