Hope Community Church was birthed in 1974 — in my heart. I was born in Ashtabula and grew up in Jefferson, graduating from Jefferson Area High School. I came to faith in Christ at age 14 while attending youth camp, and I felt a call to full-time ministry.

During the summer of 1974, I struggled with what to do — stay home or leave for college. One day, walking in the field behind my home, I cried out to the Lord for direction. I fell to the ground in the high grass and heard the Lord say: "He who does not forsake father, mother, brother or sister for my sake is not fit for the kingdom of God. One day you will return to Jefferson and plant a church."

That promise came to pass 40 years later.

I attended Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, where I met Lori Owens. We married in 1977, and over the next 35 years we pastored five Assemblies of God congregations. In 2012 we transitioned from our fifth church, and over the next five years we worked to plant Hope Community. The church moved to its permanent home at 573 Goodale Road in September 2017 — and we continue to see people find new life in Christ, remembering that God's plans have no expiration date.