The quiet is setting in now—the not knowing what to do next, the goodbye that hardly seems possible. One Hope has been more than a church; you have been our family. You have been the place where we have seen the goodness of God, experienced through the great love of God’s people.

Earlier this summer, the leadership team met at Charleston Falls. I had never been there before and was unfamiliar with the size of the park. There were 5 of us and we split into 2 groups of two and one person was solo. On the way in, I was paired with Pastor Karen and we were instructed to answer some questions and pray. We all came together at the falls and again were split into 2 groups of two and a solo person. I ended up as the solo person and went off to pray on my own. I didn’t think too much of it until I had started what I thought was the way back to the parking lot. After a little bit I realized I had gotten a bit lost. It took me another 30 min and some help from a stranger to get back to the parking lot.

People going away can be hard to process. This could be any form of leaving from death to simply moving away to a place you can't visit often.

Even though you may be worried or scared for a person you have to say goodbye to, the Lord will bring you peace of mind.

Romans 9:2-4a – “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel.”

This expression of great sorrow is directly preceded by Romans 8; one of the most pointed and beautiful declarations of the joy we receive when we enter into a covenant with our Creator through the work of Jesus the Messiah.

Luke 14:26 has never felt more personal. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” These words have echoed in our hearts as we’ve discerned this next step. Our adult boys are staying in Ohio. Our families are here in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. And yet we are going. Not because it’s easy. Not because it’s comfortable. But because we belong to Jesus, and we trust His call more than we trust our own plans.

Chad, Hattie, Kolin, and I are following God’s leading to the Northern California District (NorCal) to work in church revitalization and nonprofit ministry.

On behalf of the church board, I want to share that we have received Pastor Rachel’s formal resignation. While transitions are never easy, we are deeply grateful for her faithful leadership, and we bless her as she follows God’s calling into a new season of ministry.

If I could sit down and talk to Hannah from ten years ago—to tell her she’d be married to the most amazing man, have a baby on the way, and be running a daycare—I don’t think she would believe me. If I told her how much God would provide and how faithful He would be, I’m not sure she could have pictured it. But that’s the thing about God: His plans are always bigger than what we imagine.

I’ll never forget the summer I went to camp as a sixth grader. The days were full of loud games, sticky popsicles, pool and lake swims, bunk bed laughs, and late-night flashlight whispers. But tucked between all the fun was something far more powerful—chapel. In that modest, echoey room with rows of red chairs and the scent of sweat mixed with pine wafting through swinging doors, I encountered Jesus, like, truly encountered Him, for the very first time. That’s where I gave my life to Him. That moment at camp changed everything for me. That is my salvation story. 

And that’s why I believe in camp with my whole heart.

A couple of weeks ago, I took my son with the youth group from church to Kings Island. Last year, he would not ride roller coasters. He was terrified—truly. I could see the anxiety in his eyes. Still, I lovingly encouraged him to try a few exciting rides. I could tell when he hit his limit, but I knew that if he could just push through the fear and get on a coaster, he’d love it.

I didn’t grow up in church, and when I did try to engage or ask questions, I was often told I was being disobedient. So I walked away from faith, unsure if anything I had been taught was true. I joined the military, became a nurse, and kept going—without religion, without direction. I was drinking, pregnant, and lost. Then a friend’s mom invited me to church while I was expecting my daughter, Dhalaynie. For the first time in a long time, I felt something good.

What a season it has been for our amazing One Hope Kids Bible Quiz Team! This past weekend, our students wrapped up their final Regional Quiz Meet at MVNU, finishing strong and shining bright for Jesus. We are so proud of their growth—not just in knowledge, but in heart and spirit—as they’ve studied the book of Acts and lived out their love for God’s Word.

Over the last three years, Nazarene churches in Burundi, Malawi, and Zambia have partnered with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to combat hunger and malnutrition. Through church-led projects, families are now finding new hope after seasons of deep food insecurity.

This past Sunday, we stepped out of the building and into the heart of our community—and God moved in powerful ways. Together, we gave over 200 hours of service through projects that reflected love, compassion, and connection. From yardwork and gutter clean-ups to home visits, shared meals, nursing home celebrations, and caring for shut-ins, you showed what it means to live like Jesus.

He Is Risen—Now We Go!

What a powerful Easter Sunday we shared! The sanctuary was full, the Spirit was present, and hearts were stirred by the good news: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6). We are an Easter People—marked by resurrection hope, and now called to live it out.

This past Sunday, we waved our palms and cried out “Hosanna!”—a powerful word that means “Save us!” It’s the cry of a people in need. And it still echoes in our hearts today. But as we journey deeper into Holy Week, I find myself asking: Am I so busy crying out “Save me!” that I’ve missed what Jesus is actually trying to save me from?

At One Hope, we believe in Loving God, Serving Others, and Growing Together—and we hold tight to our core value: We Serve With Purpose. That means we’re dedicated to purposefully meeting the needs of others with love and compassion, all for the cause of Christ.

I AM STILL CELEBRATING!

My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude after Sunday's service. What a beautiful time of worship, celebration, and testimony to God’s faithfulness over the past six months as One Hope Church of the Nazarene.

Each year, we have the incredible opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus through Crisis Care Kits. When disasters strike—whether hurricanes, earthquakes, conflicts, or floods—people are left facing unimaginable loss. But in those moments of uncertainty, God’s love is near, and through these kits, we get to be a tangible reminder of His presence.

This past Thursday, March 6, 2025, we celebrated International Women’s Day, a time to recognize the God-given dignity, strength, and contributions of women around the world. At Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, we believe that when women have opportunities to learn and pursue meaningful work, they uplift not only their families but also their entire communities.

From the very beginning, God has been calling His people to walk in His truth, to live with hope, and to share His light with the world. The prophets—those bold voices who spoke in dark times—were not perfect, but they were willing. Willing to speak truth when it was unpopular, to believe in God’s promises when everything seemed lost, and to partner with Him in His mission to bring hope to the nations.