Our Elders
nate almquist
My wife Miriam and I first walked into Church of Hope in 2017 (back when it was just the two of us.) We knew immediately we had found a home and thanks to the encouragement of other believers, we have been active in the congregation ever since.
God has given us 11 years of marriage and three precious children: Emery, Elani, and Edin. Being a dad is a profound blessing, and has taught me so much about the depth of God’s love for His children.
My full time job is in the quality department of a local ammunition plant, as well as firearms repair and training part time. In my free time, I find joy in spending time with my family and friends, getting in over my head in home improvement, and dipping my feet into whatever sundry projects or hobbies will keep my hands busy.
I approach the office of an elder with honesty and sobriety. My utmost priority will always be to please God, be it in teaching, serving, or playing music. I stand upon the rock of the Word of God as my final authority in everything, and it is a blessing to serve with a group of godly, Bible believing men that have been trusted to guide, protect, and care for this church.
Church of Hope has been there for us when we needed it the most, and we are grateful to give back in servanthood to this church. We love this church very much and we rejoice in every opportunity to pray, learn, laugh, and weep with this body of believers.
I am not an example of a leader that deserves to be followed, but rather an example of the wonders of transformation and forgiveness that God has accomplished in my life. I pray that the Lord reminds me daily of how much I still have to learn about serving Him. What I do know is quite simple, and is found in 2nd Timothy 1:12 “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
lucas johnson
I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as an elder for Church of Hope but more importantly for Christ and His church.
I have been a part of CoH since it’s genesis in 2006. My beautiful wife (Rebekah) and I met through the youth group at CoH.
Rebekah and I got married in 2020 and are expecting our first child this summer (2023). We live in Oak Grove on the Rum River and enjoy watching all of God’s wildlife in His creation. Rebekah and I get to serve as youth leaders in the same youth group where we met.
I accepted Christ at a young age, but didn’t fully understand the impact of what that meant until the Lord grabbed my heart through a tragic event on a snowy Montana mountain road on May 17th, 2017.
God recalibrated my compass to Himself through that tragic event and His Word guides my life. I’m still a sinner in need of His grace and mercy, but what a joy it is to serve Jesus everyday.
I’m self employed (Creation Management LLC) and get to be out in God’s creation everyday for work.
Church of Hope has affected my life in more ways than I can describe, so being able to serve the Church is a privilege.
I’m looking forward to seeing what our great God will do through his Church as we obey and follow His will by studying the Word and putting it into practice.
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24
JOE SWENSON
My wife Jan and I have been a part of Church of Hope since within a few weeks of its inception in 2006. We count it a privilege to be a part of this congregation and even more so to serve the church body.
We have been married for 44 years and are blessed by two sons and two amazing daughters-in-law, all of whom love and serve Jesus. We also are blessed to have seven grandchildren.
Both of us are now retired and we enjoy traveling and being able to spend more time with our family and friends. I have a love for the outdoors and look forward to spending time fishing, boating, hiking and hunting with family and friends.
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 14 years old at a church service and, to me, that reflects how important our church body is to the life of those who attend and also to the community in which we live and serve. God has called us to serve and to be missionaries wherever He puts us.
In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul asks for prayer from the believers that God would give him the words to speak and that he will speak fearlessly to make known the gospel. In 1 Peter 3:15, Paul tells Peter to be prepared to give a reason for the hope he has. This should be in the heart of every believer who has trusted Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior.
One other passion I have is for the local church family. It is a place of connection that every follower of Christ needs. Proverbs 27:17 tells us that “Iron sharpens iron.” What better place than with a body of believers who care for you. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us the importance of meeting together regularly for the encouragement we all need.
And so we serve just as the example Jesus gave us in Mark 10:45 and that Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
I look forward to getting to know you and to pray for and with you.
JORDAN PEPIN
I’m humbled to be able to serve as an elder at Church of Hope. I like the description of an elder being an “under-shepherd”. While biblical eldership involves leading and shepherding, it comes with the recognition that Jesus Christ is the true Shepherd of the sheep.
I was raised going to a Bible-preaching church and prayed the sinner’s prayer as a young child (multiple times over my childhood). My teen years involved a lot of rebellious living and indulging in whatever gave me pleasure. At age 18, God used the consequences of my sins to bring me to a place of brokenness and desperation, and I cried out to Him for mercy. Through the death of Jesus Christ on my behalf, God poured out His mercy and His Spirit in my life in a very powerful and life-changing way.
Since then, I have continued to grow and to trust in the constant faithfulness of God. God never stops working in every detail of my life, working all things together to grow me in faith, for His glory alone. In no way whatsoever do I deserve the grace that God continually pours out on my life!
My wife Jen and I have four “children” (most of them wouldn’t accept the label “child”). Our family loves being outdoors enjoying God’s amazing creation and we also enjoy eating much of it. We are so thankful to be a part of God’s family here at Church of Hope and look forward to growing together as we all seek to go after Christ – holding nothing back!
