HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Chairman of Deacons
- Choir Director
Chris Johnson grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan and began singing as a small child in the pre-K choir at First Presbyterian Church. During his middle and high school years, Chris actively participated in band as a tuba player and in the orchestra, playing the violin. He also sang in the school choir. Chris attended Western Michigan University, earning his Bachelors of Music in both violin performance and in teaching, and completed the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in Military Science. During his college years, he also played in the Kalamazoo Symphony and sang in the Kalamazoo Chorus. After his graduation, Chris completed infantry officers basic school and was assigned as the Ft. Benning Infantry Chorus Director. Following his active tour, Chris served from 1978-1986 as Orchestra Director in Columbus, Georgia. He also helped form and direct the Columbus Youth Symphony. During this busy time Chris also performed as both the 1st violin and principle second of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. In 1986, Chris and his family relocated to the Cobb County area, where he has served as an Orchestra Director in the local school system - most recently at McCleskey Middle School. Chris helped form and manage the Cobb County Youth Symphony. He has also played several years as asst. concertmaster in the Sandy Springs Chamber Orchestra. Chris says that his favorite new muscial experience is learning to play the banjo.
Eugene McKinnon was born and raised in Central Ontario, Canada. In 2012 he immigrated to the United States after marrying his wife, Katie. They have two children, Liam and Kaleigh.
Eugene came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was eight years old. He holds a BA in History and Religious Studies from the University of Toronto, MDiv and MRE from Knox College, and a MABS from Reformed Theological Seminary.
He has lived in three countries, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. And has worked a variety of industries before he felt called by God to preach the Gospel and pastor His people.
He loves to be involved in worship, Christian education, expositing the Word of God, and providing pastoral care.
In his spare time, he likes to cook, play board games with his wife and kids, watch mystery shows with his wife, visiting museums, travel in the US and Canada, and reading
Kingdom Living - We believe that our Christian faith should impact not only the time we spend together in ministries and activities at Hope Church, but should also saturate all that we do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Kingdom Living is our way of saying that all the world belongs to Christ. He was involved in its creation and He has been given all authority over it by His Father. At the present time Christ is busy expanding His kingdom through His chosen instrument the Church. Each of us who belong to Christ serve in His Kingdom as parts of His Body, the Church on earth. The book of Revelation describes for us in chapter 5 how Christ was slain, like a sacrificial lamb, in order to purchase for Himself a people who would be His ‘vice regents' to expand and manage His kingdom on earth. Verses 9-10 of this chapter say:
Worthy are you (Christ) to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.
Martin Hawley grew up in northwest Arkansas and studied history and classical studies at the University of Arkansas. While in college, Martin met his wife Shari and was also pursuing a career in management with Dillard's Department Stores. Martin and Shari married in 1989 and spent the next 11 years moving throughout the South, during this time working for Dillard's and later Belk's in buying, merchandise management, and as store manager. It was also during this time that the Lord began to reveal his call on Martin to some form of vocational ministry.
While serving Hope as the Youth Team leader in 2001, Martin decided to pursue full-time training for the Gospel Ministry. He and Shari left Georgia for St. Louis, Missouri, where Martin earned his Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Exegetical Theology (MAET) degrees at Covenant Theological Seminary. Martin later also earned a Masters of Theology (ThM).
Martin served several internships while studying at Covenant, including a full summer back at Hope in 2004 as the church transitioned pastoral leadership. He was eventually called to serve Hope as Senior Pastor and began here in April 2005. Martin recently completed a Doctorate (PhD) through Aberdeen University in Scotland. His passions in ministry are for preaching, worship (especially the sacraments), working with youth, and missions. Martin's hobbies include; volleyball, writing, and chess.
Teri Nelson was born in Marietta, GA and is a graduate of Berry College in Rome, Georgia. She has faithfully served Hope as our pianist/accompanist since 1984. Teri has taught private piano lessons for four years and is a former member of CMTA (Cherokee Music Teachers Association) and GMTA (Georgia Music Teachers Association). She has also continued her professional development through ongoing participation in keyboard seminars presented by Marilynn Ham, Mark Hayes, Joseph Martin, and Gail Smith.