HOPE CHURCH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Middle School Guys' Director
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Associate
- Human Resources Associate / Administration
Job Titles:
- Care Ministry Administrator
Amy came on staff in 2012. She assists in coordinating meeting rooms and times for Recovery & Support meetings, as well as helps families plan memorial services. If you happen to call the main Hope office around Noon there's a good chance you'll hear Amy on the other end of the phone. Amy was one of the million fans who braved the 100˚ heat to see Elvis in his casket in August of 1977. She's still not convinced it was him…
Favorite movie: The Notebook
Favorite music: Jesus worship music
Job Titles:
- Stewardship Pastor / 901 - 507 - 1942
Job Titles:
- Director
- Middle School Girls' Director
Beatrice lives in Cordova and has a knack for traveling. If she has gone missing, she is on a trip somewhere(check Walmart first). She has 3 boys, two of which are military veterans. If you want to make her smile, bring some baked goods!
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the Executive Staff
Job Titles:
- Director of Media Production
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Ministry
Job Titles:
- Video Production Specialist / Executive Staff
Job Titles:
- Member of the Preaching & Teaching Team
- Assistant Pastor & Community Engagement
Chad has been a part of the Hope Church family for more than 15 years. Throughout his tenure at Hope, Chad has served as the Hope 4 Kids' Pastor working alongside infants-5th grade students and their families; and has served as a Middle School Pastor working alongside students in the many changes and challenges they go through. These ministry opportunities and more have prepared Chad to relate the stories of Christ and his Word within all aspects of our lives. No matter where you find yourself, you can always count on Chad for an encouraging word, a listening ear and a funny story to help paint a clearer picture of God's love for us.
The body of Hope Church quickly became Chad's faith family, and a family he is proud to be a part of today - a family who reaches out into the Memphis community to continue to show love and compassion where it's needed most. In this way, we are not just a church called Hope, we are a family of hope for whoever is looking.
Chad is married to his wife, Julie, who has taught him more about the grace of God than any class he could ever take. They have three children that keep them on the go while constantly reminding them to always have fun. Chad graduated with his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science (Pre-PT) with a minor in Church Ministry and Missions from Samford University and later continued his education with receiving a Masters of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.
Favorite food: Coffee
Favorite movie: Knights Tale (always a sucker for rags to riches stories)
Job Titles:
- Bickford Community Center Director, North Memphis / Operations
Job Titles:
- Director
- Student Ministries Director
Job Titles:
- Special Needs Ministry Asst. Director
As you worship and experience Hope during the weekend (or events during the week) you may not realize that in a room nearby there is a team busy at work setting up camera shots, queueing up videos and generally making your experience effortless. The man behind that direction is Clay. He directs his team of 7 volunteers at every service making sure things happen when they need to. He also loves music and has seen Pearl Jam 40 times and My Morning Jacket 34 times all around the country. Clay and his family live in Cordova.
Job Titles:
- Pastor of Hope City Church
Pastor Colley S. Cooper is a native of Memphis, TN. His passion for outreach, especially for youth and disenfranchised persons, led him to organize a youth program (Youth in the Hood) at the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in the Westwood area. This is where he served as an associate minister and as a personal assistant to the Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. James L. Netters. He was later called into full-time ministry as the Focus Center Director and the Youth Pastor at Oak Spring Baptist Church in Arlington, TN under the leadership of Reverend W. Michael Martin, Sr. Pastor. Most recently, in May of 2015, he was selected and announced by Hope Church - Memphis as their North Memphis Church Planting Pastor.
Pastor Cooper is a graduate of Union University (Germantown) where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership and his Associates of Divinity Degree. He plans to further his education by pursuing a Masters of Divinity Degree. He is a visionary and has an inspiring message for those who would dare to do common things in an uncommon way. His involvement with several schools, churches, and community organizations in Memphis and Shelby County has granted him a wealth of experiences that has made him both knowledgeable and motivational.
Most importantly, Pastor Cooper prides himself in being a loving and devoted husband to his wifeSheri and a compassionate father to 2 sons Kofi and Cohen.
Diane has been at Hope for almost 25 years, coming up on 20 years as a Hope employee. Growing up in Ohio, college in Virginia and married to a 20-year Air Force pilot has influenced her love of travel and seeing new places. She now travels for fun, often to see a concert or two! As a mother to a son, Kyle, and daughter, Erin, she and Rick are now empty nesters. But that doesn't mean life is slow! Two grandkids complete the busy life they have.
Diane started at Hope organizing the cassette tapes that were piling up and supervising the busy duplicating ministry. CDs took over and now we have video. In recent years, she has served as Communications Editor and reads, proofs and writes much of what Hope puts out there.
Job Titles:
- Special Needs Ministry Director
Job Titles:
- Pastor Emeritus / Facilities
Dr. Craig Strickland began Hope in 1988 in a living room with eight original members. Hope has reached out to people and churches of all denominations and faith communities with a message filled with hope and guided by a commitment to servant-leadership at every level. Today, Hope welcomes over 7000 members and visitors every weekend. Craig graduated from Messick High School. After high school, he graduated from Memphis State University and received both his Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He was the founding member and Chairman of the Board of The Memphis Leadership Foundation and has served on numerous committees involving church growth. He is currently Chaplain of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, The Germantown Police Department and Chief Chaplain of the Tennessee Public Safety Network. Craig lives in Germantown with his wife, Lee, and their two dogs, Barklee & Charlee. They have three adult children; Emily (married to Scott), Tucker, and Taylor (married to Jessica), and two grandchildren, Scottie and West.
Job Titles:
- Sports & Recreation Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Director
- High School Girls' Director
Job Titles:
- Director of Senior Adults Ministry
Job Titles:
- Global Outreach Associate
Job Titles:
- Member of the Preaching & Teaching Team
- Assistant Pastor & Women 's Ministry
Job Titles:
- Hope Shoppe Manager / Kitchen Ministry
Job Titles:
- Video Production Specialist
You like what you see graphically at Hope? Jack probably made it. Since joining the staff in 2004, he has designed the art for over 90 sermon series (and counting) as well as calendars, wristbands, coffee cups and other holiday/event giveaways. While 99% of his designs are digital, his real passion is hand-drawn illustration and cartooning. Jack is married to his high school sweetheart, Melissa, and they have two amazing kids, Reid and Izzy.
Favorite color: Green
Job Titles:
- Care Ministry Administrator
Job Titles:
- Hope Shoppe Manager / Kitchen Ministry
Job Titles:
- Student Ministry Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director of Caring Ministry / Care Ministry Pastor
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the Office of the Senior Pastor
My name is Jeff Trotter. I'm married to Whitney Trotter and we have one bundle of joy named McKinley Justice Trotter. I enjoy long walks on the beach & candlelit dinners with softly played Japanese techno music in the background. Lololol I'm an artist that loves writing, acting, producing and recording music. One of my favorite passages of scripture is Deuteronomy 6:4-9. I'm 1 of 6 siblings and my immediate family resides in Atlanta, Ga.
Job Titles:
- Women 's Ministry Event Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Women 's Ministry Executive Administrator
Job Titles:
- Kitchen Ministry Director
Jessica Shoup is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and went to college in Ohio where she met her husband of 15 years, Jared. They have two children, Gavin and Sydney, and use their spiritual gift of hospitality to welcome others to live in their home with them including exchange students and CCO fellows. Jessica's desire to serve others globally led her out of a 14 year Marketing career at FedEx into the Global Outreach staff.
Favorite food: Indian
Favorite movie: Elf (any time of the year)
Favorite sport: NFL - GO STEELERS
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Oasis of Hope Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Element 123 Ministry Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director
- Hope 4 Kids Director / Pastor
Job Titles:
- Family Ministry Care Coordinator
Job Titles:
- the Collective Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Weekday Preschool Director
Job Titles:
- Recovery & Support Ministry Director
Mark comes to Hope after spending the last 20+ years in the franchising, food service, and distribution world. Mark is originally from Memphis but has moved all over the country. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Reserves serving from 1997-2005. His Reserve unit was as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003-2005 transporting fuel and equipment throughout Kuwait and Iraq. Mark is married to Kelly and they have two amazing sons who are a constant source of entertainment to them. He is also the proud owner of an attack cat named Rocky. Mark is excited and humbled to join the Support and Recovery Ministry and looks forward serving God and the local community through this ministry.
Favorite Hobbies: Whatever activities his sons are involved in and constantly fixing up his '93 Bronco.
Favorite Movies: A River Runs Through It and The Goonies.
Marque Walker is a native Memphian. God instilled the love of music in Marque from a very early age. In 1988, Marque, at the age of 12, was hired as a church organist and little did he know this would be the start of his career. With persistent practice, his skills expanded and he is now not only an accomplished musician, but also an arranger, writer,, composer, producer and studio owner. He has won numerous Stellar awards and has been nominated for Grammys and Dove Awards. He is now also part of the Hope Church Worship team and leads our choir several times a month. We are thrilled to have Marque, his wife, Jennifer and their sons as part of the Hope family!
Job Titles:
- Sports & Recreation Asssistant
Job Titles:
- Video Production Specialist
Job Titles:
- Leadership Development Ministry Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor
- Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor / Administration
Job Titles:
- Adult Day Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant to the Senior Associate Pastor
Job Titles:
- the Collective Ministry Director
Ron lives in Cordova with his wife of 28 years Patrice. "EMPTY Nesters" they have three children (Kelli 26, Joshua, 24 and Jonathan, 22) Production is his passion. Ron enjoys photography, videography and loves traveling with his wife. "Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance" is his motto.
Job Titles:
- Special Needs Ministry Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Global Outreach Associate Manager
Job Titles:
- Hope Family Administration and Operations Assistant
Job Titles:
- Hope Adult Day Program Director
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Communications Director
Tobi and her husband of over 20 years, Blake, reside in Collierville with their 3 very active, handsome and wonderful sons and 2 adopted rescue pups who are siblings, CeCe and Freeman. Tobi is a native Memphian and graduate of University of Memphis. Tobi's 18 years of prior corporate experience prepared her for her role at Hope where she is blessed to work along side the best team around to strategically market and communicate the promise of eternal life along with all of the great things going on here and in our 20+ ministries.
Favorite restaurant: Pete & Sams
Job Titles:
- Assistant Pastor & Spiritual Formation
Job Titles:
- Hope Family Ministry Coordinator
Wendy is a native Memphian who has been married to her high school sweet heart, Robert for over 24 years. They have been members at Hope since 1997 and have 2 great kids, Courtney and Alex.
Favorite food: Anything cooked for me