Staff

Joel and Wendy Berthelsen

Senior Pastor and Pastor of Ministry in Daily Life
pastor.joel {at} sbcglobal(.)net
pastor.wendy {at} sbcglobal(.)net

Pastors Joel and Wendy have partnered together both in ministry and at home for many years now. Having complementary gifts, they have a passion for each person in the church to know and live out their call from God: the call to know, follow and serve Jesus. They believe that each person is unique and God desires to custom design His church around people; therefore, Hope and every other church gathering should be unique. Joel and Wendy believe that God’s call has to do with all of life, one’s work, family, community and world. They are graced and honored to be the parents of four wonderful children, Amara, Stefan, Philip and Ana. Joel graduated from the University of Minnesota and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN (Master of Divinity). Wendy graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College and Luther Seminary as well (Master of Divinity). Most of Wendy’s time as a pastor is devoted to Call, Inc., a non-profit teaching mission of Hope Lutheran Church.

Matt Cleaver

Director of Youth and Ministry Development
matt.cleaver.hope {at} gmail(.)com

Matt Cleaver was born and raised in Houston, Texas and is excited to be back in Texas after spending four years in Arkansas attending John Brown University. Matt earned a degree in Youth Ministries in order to help prepare him for a life of ministry. He loves spending time with teens and helping them think deeply about life and faith. He and his wife Alicia both love to minister to and with teenagers. They have been with Hope Lutheran Church since June 2006.

Matt is currently enrolled at Luther Seminary in order to obtain a Master of Arts degree in Youth and Family Ministry. Alicia is a student at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she is studying to be an osteopathic physician.

Karine Samer

Parish Secretary
hopesecretary {at} sbcglobal(.)net

Cathy Peterson

Organist and Accompanist
rpete123 {at} flash(.)net