Staff

For email contact please see the Contact Us page.

Leadership Team

Brian Truskett, team leader
Dwight Carter
Seth Lindberg
Nick Martineau
Scott Ramser
Steve Pickard
Matt Shepherd
Naomi Wallace
Stephanie Ward
Steve Weldon
Mel Whiteside

Steve Weldon - Senior Pastor

Steve was the planting pastor of Hope Community Church back in 1988, and continues to teach before the body most Saturdays and Sundays. He also leads a home church and other classes or events from time to time. Steve has a passion to reach those who don't know Jesus, wherever and whoever they are, and tell them how much God loves them. This desire has led him to many faraway places such as the Philippines, Israel, Egypt, India, China, Tanzania, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Peru, Kazakhstan and Nepal.

Bill Beahm - Executive Pastor

Pastor Bill came to Hope from the National Center for Fathering originally in a part-time teaching role. He now serves as the executive pastor, overseeing all of Hope’s staff and serving as Hope’s primary administrator over all programs and ministries. He’s certain God led him to Hope in His perfect timing. Bill has a passion for teaching pastors in Uganda, and also teaches a Religion course at Butler Community College.

Eric Hauck - Pastor of Worship Arts

Eric came to Hope in 2010 after serving as the worship leader of the contemporary service at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, OH. He is a classically trained celloist and performed in the DePauw Symphony Orchestra. He has written and recorded 3 CDs of original music. In 1997, he toured and played in singer/songwriter Rich Mullins’ band. He has also toured with various Christian artists including Rebecca St. James, John Michael Talbot and Mitch McVicker.

Nick Martineau - Pastor of Community Life

Nick oversees all adult ministries including home churches, the College/Young Adult group, and the Hope Institute. Before coming to Hope, he served as a senior pastor at a small “cowboy church” in Texas. He also has a heart for missions, and directs the iloveorphans.com organization. Nick is the “go-to guy” for teaching in Pastor Steve’s absence.

Mark Hershey - Pastor of High School Ministry

Mark earned his BA in Pre-Seminary from Cedarville University in 2007, then his Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2010. He has served in a number of positions at churches and youth centers including Youth Pastor, Youth Ministry Intern, Sermon Researcher, and Worship Director. Mark has known he was being led to serve in ministry since he shared his testimony at a post-football game party in high school. He believes it is essential to be committed to discipleship within the church, and that performance, programs and size all need to take a backseat to discipleship.

Shane Friesen - Pastor of Middle School Ministry

Shane, who has been working with the youth of Hope since 1995, has long had a passion to see young people begin to make an impact on their world and culture. He likes to help kids cultivate their gifts, engage the culture, and leave some Jesus behind because of the way they lived their lives. Shane stays connected to the kids by immersing himself in all things middle school – music, movies, games. It helps to have five children of his own.

Roanne Gale - Pastor of Children’s Ministries

Roanne oversees all of the children’s programs: Sunday School, Kids’ Night, Vacation Bible School and Junior Camp; age infants through 5th grade. And if you’ve ever seen what a beehive of activity there is around Hope with these kids, you know how big a job that is. She helps adapt or create curriculum for the classes, and develops parent communications. Roanne took on this role full-time in 2000 after serving on a part-time basis starting in 1991.

Pam Howland - Pastor of Elementary Ministries

Gifted with a love for teaching, Pam works tirelessly alongside Roanne Gale and the many volunteers involved with Kids of Hope. Her passion is helping children understand God's love for them, and guiding them into a relationship with His Son. She believes 1 Timothy 4:13-17 sums up why she serves at Hope.

Joe Ramstack - Visitation Team Coordinator

Joe serves as needed, providing encouragement and Biblical guidance to people and families in crisis situations. Joe is a longtime Hopester and is involved with the Young Life organization.

Sharon Weldon - Director of Bullfrogs and Butterflies Preschool

Sharon loves taking polliwogs and caterpillars and watching them become Bullfrogs and Butterflies. Her passion for teaching young children is evident in her credentials: more than two decades of early childhood teaching experience; BA in social work; Child Development Associate Degree by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition; and is a member of the Wichita Association for the Education of Young Children.

Jackie Schmidt - Administrator, Bullfrogs & Butterflies Preschool

A long-time Hopester, Jackie has also worked with Bullfrogs & Butterflies since 1992. She earned an Early Childhood Education Certificate from Butler community College in 2007.

Joel Ybarra, MS, LMFT - Individual, Couple and Family Therapy Counselor

Joel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Kansas. He graduated with a Master of Science in Family Therapy from Friends University. He lives in Andover with his wife and two daughters. For more information, visit Counseling.

Laurie Blaha - Office Administrator

When you call the Hope offices, you’ll most likely hear Laurie’s cheerful voice saying, “Hello!” Laurie and her husband Paul, and 3 sons have been longtime Hopesters.

Larry Cox - Director of Facilities

Larry puts his hands-on skills and knowledge to use directing the maintenance and cleaning of the Hope building and the up-keep of the Hope campus. He also leads a ministry of volunteers who assist in all of these areas.

Angie Friesen - Controller

Angie's accounting background brings a great benefit to Hope, as she manages all budgets and watches for trends and opportunities. Angie also helps direct the “Intentional Families” orphan care ministry.

Ron Trimmell - Director of Communications

As the owner of a full-service advertising/marketing/communications agency, Ron lends his talents in a part-time role to helping Hope with mass communications, video production and brand management. He is also a member of Hope’s OutWord Focus missions team, and co-director of the 303-GO initiative.