Hope Church’s Elder Board consists of spiritually mature men as set forth in I Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1: 6-9 who are members of Hope. These men provide oversight for the family of Hope Church. Their collective desire is to foster an environment at Hope of dynamic spiritual growth and health. As shepherds, their collective responsibility includes prayer, teaching and guarding sound doctrine, protecting and guarding the flock, and financial accountability. As a policy board, their functions include: hiring the Senior Pastor; approving policies, long-range planning, objectives, and the budget; and working with the Senior Pastor to develop and approve ministry philosophy and direction. Appointed by the congregation, elders serve four-year terms. Hope’s Elder Board contains at least eight members, including the Senior Pastor and at least seven members of Hope Church.
Tell us about your family and work: I was married to my wife Peggy 35 years ago in Fond du Lac, WI. We have two children, Amanda who is married to Jason Brown living here in Cincinnati and Adam married to Sarah and our one grandchild, Abraham who live in Columbus, OH. I have been in retail for 35 years. The first 20 were with US Shoe and the next 15 have been with totes/Isotoner managing their retail outlet division.
When did you become an Elder? I became an Elder in June of 2011 and am so very humbled and blessed to serve Hope Church in this role.
Tell us about your passion for Ministry: My passion for this ministry is to develop an environment and atmosphere of love among the brothers and sisters in our body as we learn to know and love our great and awesome God more each day and then to reach out to the people God has put in our lives to love them and expose them to Jesus.
Tell us about your family and work: Chris and I have been married for 22 years and have six kids - Caroline, Caleb, Abby, Asher, Cate, and Nate. These youngest two are twins, recently adopted from Ethiopia, and are keeping us young! I am an architect and work in a small firm here in Mason, McConnell and Ewing Architects, which focuses primarily on custom residential design.
When did you become an Elder?: With both of our sets of parents attending Hope since almost its beginning, we've been in and around Hope for nearly as long. We became regular attenders at Hope in 1996 and then joined shortly after. I joined the Elder Board in October of 2010.
Tell us about your passion for Ministry: We've been involved in many ministries and facets of Hope over the years. I would say our greatest passion is family life and seeing our family and other families growing in vibrant relationship with each other and with Jesus. We've always been involved in small group Bible studies and have found that those have really fueled our growth as a couple and in our personal walks with the Lord. As a result of our youngest three children being adopted from Ethiopia, most recently our ministry focus has been to help gather families who are called to orphan care, by leading the Hope for the Children ministry (the Adoption and Foster Care Community of Hope Church.)
Chris Walls
Tell us about your family and work: Natalie and I have been married since 2001. We have three children, Elliana, 5 yrs, Andrew, 4 yrs, and Micah, 2 yrs. We moved to Ohio in 2002 when I started work at GE Aviation as an engineer. As a family we enjoy gardening/landscaping, traveling and playing games.
When did you become an Elder: I became an Elder in February of 2012.
Tell us about your passion for Ministry: Our passion for ministry is in the area of discipleship and Community/Small Groups. It is our desire to see families strengthened by growing closer to God and equipping them to make an eternal difference in this world. As part of the Journey community, we have been blessed by friendships that have made Hope Church our home while encouraging us in our walk with God.
Tell us about your family and work: My wife Candy and I have been married for 30 years now and we have been blessed with two wonderful children, Jonathan, 29 years old and Maria, 20 years old. Jonathan lives and works in New York at a software company and Maria is going to be a sophomore this fall at The Ohio State University. I work at the Procter & Gamble Co as the Global Director for Quality Assurance for our Baby Care, Feminine Care and Family Care businesses.
When did you become an Elder? I became an Elder in November 2011.
Tell us about your passion for Ministry: My passion for ministry is in the areas of personal evangelism, teaching and stewarding of God's resources.
As the Senior Pastor here at Hope Church, I'm the only permanent member of our Elder Board. It is a privilege and honor to serve alongside these godly, humble, servant leaders. As I also give overall leadership to our Lead Team, it's such a joy to see the love, communication, respect, partnership, and accountability continue to develop and mature between these two leadership bodies. To God be the glory!
Tell us about your family and work: My wife Stacey is a School Psychologist working in the area of early childhood. I am retired from the U.S. Postal Service. I served with the Navy and Marines. I have also served in the pastorate. We have been blessed with two sons. Luke (18) attends Wright State University and Jordan (15) attends Middletown High School.
When did you become an Elder: I became an Elder in September 2012. I count it a great honor and privilege to serve on the Elder Board. I have the utmost respect for the past and present elders and am humbled to be asked to join in their ranks.
Tell us about your passion for Ministry: I am blessed to be able to serve in the Prayer Ministry, the Hospital Visitation Team, and lead the Streams of Hope Nursing Home Ministry. I also enjoy my involvement in the Connections Community where I teach occasionally. Outside of Hope I serve as Chaplain for the Marine Corps League and the American Legion. My greatest passion is that "I… might take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Philippians 3:12b
Tell us about your family and work: Michelle and I have been married since December 1980, and reside in Mason OH with our youngest daughter Kara. Our daughter Laura and her husband Mike reside in Lebanon OH. Our son Paul and his wife Molly reside in Chicago. As a family, we are praising God for Laura & Mike’s 1st child, Liliana Marie. Following 6 years as an Air Force pilot, I’ve spent 27 years with GE Aviation, currently leading a global sales organization.
When did you become an Elder: I became an Elder in September 2012, and feel very blessed to serve Hope Church in this capacity.
Tell us about your passion for Ministry: The Lord has given us a heart for the health, integrity and purity of family and marriage. Through God’s blessings and support for Kara’s personal needs, the Lord has given us a passion for the unique lives and challenges faced by ‘special needs’ families.
Tell us about your family and work: Ann and I have been married since 1990. We have two children, Kaila (19) and Kelsey (17). Kaila is a sophomore at Liberty University studying nursing and Kelsey is a junior at Kings High School. Our family time is changing as our kids grow older, but we make it a priority to just hang out at the house playing games, going to the movies, or out to dinner at a favorite restaurant. Going to the lake and ocean with extended family is a special time as well and serves as a great place to break away from work and get refreshed. We are very thankful for this time. I have been involved in transportation for 28 years at UPS with most of my time dedicated to business development.
When did you become an Elder: Ann and I joined Hope in 1998 and I became an Elder in April of 2013.
Tell us about your passion for ministry: Ann and I are passionate about helping build strong marriages, involving humility, sacrifice, and Christ’s love. We have always enjoyed marriage mentoring and other opportunities to join with couples in
strengthening marriages. In addition to this, I love opportunities when men can come together to build relationships,
be real as God intends, hold each other accountable, and be challenged to live a life that points others towards growing in Christ. In sync with our vision for discipleship here at Hope, I’m passionate about loving God and, through Him, loving other people.
Tell us about your family and work: Audrey and I were married in 1972 and have 3 boys, Andrew, Zachary, & Trevor. All three are married to wonderful young ladies who have blessed us with 5 grandchildren. I retired from GE Aircraft Engines in 2009, where I was Military Engines Program Manager for the Country of Israel. Audrey retired from teaching German at Lakota East in 2010.
When did you become an Elder?: Audrey and I joined Hope in 1990 and have been in love with its’ people and mission ever since. Growing in Christ along with Hope has indeed been a blessing. I became an Elder in April of 2013.
Tell us about your passion for Ministry: We have been involved in a number of ministries over the years, but our passion has always been in music and Worship Ministry. My mother had me in the junior choir at age 8 and the Holy Spirit has kept me in Worship Ministry ever since. Worshiping with the body of Hope through music and drama has been a wonderful blessing and a privilege over the years. Through retirement, God has given us the gift of time and a call to expand into the Seniors’ Ministry with our peers through “Maturing with Grace”. Most importantly however, the Holy Spirit has opened our ears and hearts to His call. In the spirit of Isaiah 6:8 "Here I am, send me"!
Tell us about your family and work: I am married to Lee Anne since 1986 and we have 4 children. We have worked with the various ministries of Campus Crusade for Christ for many years, as well as in various countries in Africa and in Canada. Presently I serve with our Athletes In Action Global Leadership Council and focus on working with AIA leaders on the continent of Africa.
When you become an Elder: I became an Elder in April of 2011.
Tell us about your passion for Ministry: My primary passion to live out the great commandment and the great commission; to love God with all my being, to love people and then trust that God will use me to help mobilize a movement of multiplying disciples whose heart is to love God and help reach their world.
