New Hope Staff
Meet Our Pastoral Team
Jeff Hill
Senior Pastor
Pastor Jeff and his wife, Jeanne, are both graduates of Evangel University in Springfield, MO. Jeff’s degree is in Biblical Studies; Jeanne’s is in Accounting. They have five children.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and grilling.
Favorite Music: My favorite genres are Worship and Smooth Jazz. My favorite artists are Elevation and Gateway Worship, Euge Groove, and Wayman Tisdale.
Favorite Restaurant: Agave Grill
Favorite Sports Teams: Chicago Bulls
Dream Vacation: European River Cruise
Read MoreFavorite Music: My favorite genres are Worship and Smooth Jazz. My favorite artists are Elevation and Gateway Worship, Euge Groove, and Wayman Tisdale.
Favorite Restaurant: Agave Grill
Favorite Sports Teams: Chicago Bulls
Dream Vacation: European River Cruise
James Weaver
Founding Pastor
James Weaver is the Founding Pastor of New Hope. He planted the church in October 1990. He and his wife, Susan, are both graduates of Baylor University in Waco, TX. Susan works as an editor for Hy-Vee Corporation. They have two grown children.
Favorite Music: 60’s pop music and classic-sounding country, but my very favorite is any style Christian with the exception of rap; which in my opinion is not music at all. I also love Christmas music all year long.
Hobbies: My hobby is spending as much time with people as I can. I love hanging out with people no matter what we are doing. Well, I will add as long as I am not cold or wet.
Favorite Restaurant: Bravo, Biaggi’s, or Agave, but my very favorite is Texas Roadhouse.
Favorite Sports Teams: I cheer for Baylor University in all college sports and I follow the Yankees, Lakers, and Packers.
Dream Vacation: My dream vacation is to travel from city to city to watch professional baseball visiting every Major League’s home stadium, eating hotdogs and drinking Coca-cola with peanuts.
Read MoreHobbies: My hobby is spending as much time with people as I can. I love hanging out with people no matter what we are doing. Well, I will add as long as I am not cold or wet.
Favorite Restaurant: Bravo, Biaggi’s, or Agave, but my very favorite is Texas Roadhouse.
Favorite Sports Teams: I cheer for Baylor University in all college sports and I follow the Yankees, Lakers, and Packers.
Dream Vacation: My dream vacation is to travel from city to city to watch professional baseball visiting every Major League’s home stadium, eating hotdogs and drinking Coca-cola with peanuts.
Brett Hendrickson
Music & Creative Arts Pastor
Brett and his wife Julie are both graduates of Evangel University in Springfield, MO, where they earned degrees in Music Education. Julie currently teaches middle school music for the Johnston School District. They have three children.
Hobbies: I enjoy hunting with my boys, golf, volleyball, family movie nights, singing with my wife, and playing guitar and piano.
Favorite Music: Gateway, Hillsong, Tenth Avenue North, Mercy Me, and Bing Crosby.
Favorite Restaurant: Iowa Machine Shed, Cheesecake Factory, Tasty Tacos, and Jethro’s BBQ.
Favorite Sports Teams: Nebraska Corn Huskers
Dream Vacation: Tuscany, Italy
Read MoreFavorite Music: Gateway, Hillsong, Tenth Avenue North, Mercy Me, and Bing Crosby.
Favorite Restaurant: Iowa Machine Shed, Cheesecake Factory, Tasty Tacos, and Jethro’s BBQ.
Favorite Sports Teams: Nebraska Corn Huskers
Dream Vacation: Tuscany, Italy
Carey Huffman
Discipleship Pastor
Carey and his wife Lorri helped start New Hope in 1990. Over the years he served as an evangelist, youth pastor, ministry consultant and resource developer for the A/G National Resource Center and other ministry organizations. Carey came back on staff in 2018. His wife Lorri is accounting director for Hamiltons Funeral Homes. They have one daughter.
Hobbies: Sports of all sorts (play rather than watch), outdoor adventures, collecting gemstones, painting and writing
Favorite Music: All kinds, particularly jazz, blues and instrumental worship
Favorite Restaurants: Jethro's and my wife's kitchen
Favorite Sports Teams: Gave up on the Vikings years ago, followed the Rams and Cardinals during the Kurt Warner era, and finally landed with the Chiefs.
Dream Vacation: A place where mountains and water meet.
Read MoreFavorite Music: All kinds, particularly jazz, blues and instrumental worship
Favorite Restaurants: Jethro's and my wife's kitchen
Favorite Sports Teams: Gave up on the Vikings years ago, followed the Rams and Cardinals during the Kurt Warner era, and finally landed with the Chiefs.
Dream Vacation: A place where mountains and water meet.
Brian Smith
Executive Pastor
Brian is a graduate of Rockford Masters Commission in Rockford, IL. His wife, Jamie, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education. They both enjoy spending time with their family. They have three children.
Hobbies: Playing sports, being outside, spending time with my family.
Favorite Music: Mat Kearney, Needtobreathe, Hillsong, NF, and GAWVI.
Favorite Restaurant: Chick-Fil-A, Agave, and Tasty Tacos.
Favorite Sports Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Dream Vacation: It’s a three-way tie between an African Safari, the Bahamas, or a cruise to somewhere warm!
Read MoreFavorite Music: Mat Kearney, Needtobreathe, Hillsong, NF, and GAWVI.
Favorite Restaurant: Chick-Fil-A, Agave, and Tasty Tacos.
Favorite Sports Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Dream Vacation: It’s a three-way tie between an African Safari, the Bahamas, or a cruise to somewhere warm!
Austin Weaver
Senior Associate Pastor
Austin was born and raised in Urbandale. He graduated from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN with a degree in Pastoral Studies and joined the New Hope staff in 2012. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children.
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and kids, playing/watching sports (particularly golf and baseball), hunting, fishing, camping, playing guitar, road trips, anything where I am out being active.
Favorite Music: Bethel, Jesus Culture, Hillsong Worship, Elevation, River Valley, Josh Baldwin, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, and John Mayer.
Favorite Restaurant: Fogo de Chao, Simons, or St. Kilda.
Favorite Sports Teams: New York Yankees, Baylor, Hawkeyes
Dream Vacation: Moose hunting in Alaska or Skydiving over the Swiss Alps.
Read MoreFavorite Music: Bethel, Jesus Culture, Hillsong Worship, Elevation, River Valley, Josh Baldwin, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, and John Mayer.
Favorite Restaurant: Fogo de Chao, Simons, or St. Kilda.
Favorite Sports Teams: New York Yankees, Baylor, Hawkeyes
Dream Vacation: Moose hunting in Alaska or Skydiving over the Swiss Alps.
Luke Spangrud
High School & College Pastor
Luke is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis, MN with a degree in Youth Development. He was born and raised in Lakeville, MN with his two brothers and one sister. Luke loves the energy and passion of senior high students and wants to see that passion and energy being used to serve Christ. He married his best friend Jenna in 2015.
Hobbies: Hunting, sports, woodworking
Music:United Pursuit, Upperroom
Favorite Restaurant: Chipotle, any Chinese food
Sports Teams: Duke basketball, and all Minnesota sports teams (loyalty)
Dream Vacation: Space
Read MoreMusic:United Pursuit, Upperroom
Favorite Restaurant: Chipotle, any Chinese food
Sports Teams: Duke basketball, and all Minnesota sports teams (loyalty)
Dream Vacation: Space
August Hoffman
High School & College Pastor
August is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis, MN with a degree in Youth Ministry. He is married to Karissa, who is also a graduate of North Central University. August grew up in Ankeny. He believes in the next generation and wants to see God use them for His glory!
Hobbies: Long boarding, Watching Movies, Cooking
Music: Maverick City, Hillsong United, Needtobreathe, Chris Stapleton
Favorite Restaurant: Jade Garden, Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A
Sports Teams: Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes
Dream Vacation: Ireland
Read MoreMusic: Maverick City, Hillsong United, Needtobreathe, Chris Stapleton
Favorite Restaurant: Jade Garden, Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A
Sports Teams: Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes
Dream Vacation: Ireland
Zach Hill
Middle School Youth Pastor
Zach is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis, MN with a degree in Youth Development. His wife Meryn spends her time playing with their boys, running an in-home daycare and leading worship. Zach grew up in Urbandale as a pastor’s kid at New Hope. He sees middle school as a crucial time to reach students for the Kingdom.
Hobbies: Golf, Camping, Hunting, and anything with family
Music: Elevation Worship, Cody Carnes, Gawvi, Kanye
Favorite Restaurant: Fong's Pizza, Jethros, PF Changs
Sports Teams: Chicago Bulls, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Lions, and Team USA
Dream Vacation: US Virgin Islands
Read MoreMusic: Elevation Worship, Cody Carnes, Gawvi, Kanye
Favorite Restaurant: Fong's Pizza, Jethros, PF Changs
Sports Teams: Chicago Bulls, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Lions, and Team USA
Dream Vacation: US Virgin Islands
Cortney Weets
Elementary Kids Pastor
Cortney graduated from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN with degrees in Children’s Ministry and Intercultural Studies. She is originally from Zion, IL. It has been her joy to serve at New Hope since 2008. Her husband, Aarron, is a special education associate at Timber Ridge Elementary and they have two children, Audra and Wyatt.
Hobbies: Coffee chats, adventures with my kiddos, upcycling, reading, and water balloon fights.
Favorite Music: Acoustic worship, NEEDTOBREATHE, Lecrae
Favorite Restaurant: Indian food is my jam. I love it. I'll also go anywhere with really good guacamole.
Dream Vacation: I would love to visit some of the missionaries that we support through Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge!
Read MoreFavorite Music: Acoustic worship, NEEDTOBREATHE, Lecrae
Favorite Restaurant: Indian food is my jam. I love it. I'll also go anywhere with really good guacamole.
Dream Vacation: I would love to visit some of the missionaries that we support through Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge!
Anne Good
Elementary Kids Assistant Pastor
Anne and her husband Dustin have been members of New Hope since 2004 and have enjoyed raising their three kids in the church. Anne has a heart for kids and has served in nearly all aspects of kids ministry. It is her desire for all kids to know the love of Christ. She and her husband are both graduates of the University of Northern Iowa. Dustin is an Engineering Manager for John Deere Financial.
Hobbies: Spending time with my husband and kids, hiking and exploring nature, cooking and baking, the creative arts
Favorite Music: Listening to my kids play piano is music to my ears
Favorite Restaurant: Cool Basil, Alba and La Mie
Dream Vacation: Prince Edward Island and Italy
Read MoreFavorite Music: Listening to my kids play piano is music to my ears
Favorite Restaurant: Cool Basil, Alba and La Mie
Dream Vacation: Prince Edward Island and Italy
Brianna Hill
Early Childhood Pastor
Brianna is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis, MN with a degree in Youth, Children and Family Studies. Brianna grew up in Urbandale as a pastor's kid at New Hope. She is passionate about building a firm foundation for little ones on the Word of God.
Hobbies: Any adventurous thing outdoors, baking, traveling, exploring coffee shops and being with family
Favorite Music: Upperroom, Elevation, Bethel and Maverick City
Favorite Restaurant: St Kilda, Agave, Main Street Cafe
Dream Vacation: Hiking and/or skiing in the Swiss Alps OR Greece!!!
Read MoreFavorite Music: Upperroom, Elevation, Bethel and Maverick City
Favorite Restaurant: St Kilda, Agave, Main Street Cafe
Dream Vacation: Hiking and/or skiing in the Swiss Alps OR Greece!!!
Gary Walter
Assistant Pastor
Gary is loved and admired for his prayer ministry, spiritual wisdom, and his gift of teaching. Gary is a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God and has recently retired as a full-time project manager for The Baker Group, a local mechanical contractor. He and his wife Rhonda have four grown children and three grandchildren.
Hobbies: In-depth Bible study, golf, camping, and relaxing in his travel trailer.
Favorite Music: Almost anything by Dallas Holm, Evie, Andre Crouch, Harvest, and the Imperials.
Favorite Restaurant: The Latin King (Chicken Spiedini), and any kind of Mexican food.
Favorite Sports Teams: I am a life-long Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Tigers fan.
Dream Vacation: A self-guided, month-long trip back to Israel, perhaps also leading a group there.
Read MoreFavorite Music: Almost anything by Dallas Holm, Evie, Andre Crouch, Harvest, and the Imperials.
Favorite Restaurant: The Latin King (Chicken Spiedini), and any kind of Mexican food.
Favorite Sports Teams: I am a life-long Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Tigers fan.
Dream Vacation: A self-guided, month-long trip back to Israel, perhaps also leading a group there.
Dave & Corinne DeHamer
Assistant Pastors
Pastors Dave and Corinne DeHamer were senior pastors for over 30 years. After planting a church and pastoring in Spirit Lake for several years, and pastoring a church in Aberdeen, WA for twenty years, they returned home to Des Moines and joined the staff of New Hope. Both Dave and Corinne are ordained ministers and serve at New Hope in worship, teaching, pastoral care and especially ministry to those in long-term facilities.
Mathias Ruganza
Pastor of African Church
Pastor Mathias and his wife Josephine are from Congo. Pastor Mathias started early on in a choir in 1980, then became a deacon. He was given pastoral duties in Nairobi, Kenya at Jesus Great Harvest Ministry where he got his certificate in 2014. They have four grown children.
Hobbies: singing, reading the Bible, visiting with people
Favorite Music: Gospel and Kinyarwanda music
Favorite Food: Home-cooked, with lots of vegetables.
Favorite Sport: Soccer
Read MoreFavorite Music: Gospel and Kinyarwanda music
Favorite Food: Home-cooked, with lots of vegetables.
Favorite Sport: Soccer
Meet Our Staff
Mary Hays
Secretary
mary@newhope.church
Karissa Hoffman
Youth Administrator
karissa@newhope.church