Staff + Leadership

Services

Sunday - 10AM Worship

STAFF+Leadership 

The Pastor and elders provide encouragement, direction, and support for the congregation. The goal of the elders is to serve Jesus, one another, our congregation, our community, and Jesus' Church worldwide through mission work.

Our Administrative Assistant supports Hope Church through coordination, organization, and communication.

Below is a little about each of our team members. 

Neil Schindler

Pastor

Pastor Neil Schindler joined Hope Church in October 2023.He and his wife, Kayla, have been married since 2009 and have six children together. Before responding to God's call to vocational ministry, Neil had been working as a meteorologist in research and teaching. Ever since attending Bethlehem College and Seminary and receiving a Master of Divinity degree in 2012, it has been his joy to serve the Lord Jesus through pastoral ministry-- equipping God's Church for the work of ministry through preaching God's Word, prayer, and disciple-making. Pastor Neil enjoys spending quality time with people, outdoor sports and activities (especially golf, broomball, and ultimate frisbee), strategic board games, and storm chasing. 


encouraging verse: Psalm 40:5

"You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." 

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Pastor Neil Schindler joined Hope Church in October 2023.He and his wife, Kayla, have been married since 2009 and have six children together. Before responding to God's call to vocational ministry, Neil had been working as a meteorologist in research and teaching. Ever since attending Bethlehem College and Seminary and receiving a Master of Divinity degree in 2012, it has been his joy to serve the Lord Jesus through pastoral ministry-- equipping God's Church for the work of ministry through preaching God's Word, prayer, and disciple-making. Pastor Neil enjoys spending quality time with people, outdoor sports and activities (especially golf, broomball, and ultimate frisbee), strategic board games, and storm chasing. 


encouraging verse: Psalm 40:5

"You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." 

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Kassaundra Wisecarver

Administrative Assistant

Kassaundra and her husband, Ryan, have four children. She is a former lawyer, turned stay at home/homeschooling mom. She began working for the church as the administrative assistant in the fall of 2024. Kassaundra and her family have been attending Hope Church since they visited on Pastor Neil's first official Sunday in the Fall of 2023. The warmth of the people of Hope Church was magnetic and they never left. Kassaundra co-leads the Women's Ministry. 


Encouraging Verse: John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

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Kassaundra and her husband, Ryan, have four children. She is a former lawyer, turned stay at home/homeschooling mom. She began working for the church as the administrative assistant in the fall of 2024. Kassaundra and her family have been attending Hope Church since they visited on Pastor Neil's first official Sunday in the Fall of 2023. The warmth of the people of Hope Church was magnetic and they never left. Kassaundra co-leads the Women's Ministry. 


Encouraging Verse: John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

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Ben Lucas

Elder

Ben and his wife, Kathryn, have four amazing boys! Ben and his family have been attending Hope Church since 2021 after moving to the area for Ben's job. They felt instantly welcomed their first day at Hope Church and knew it was where God was calling them. Ben joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2025. Ben works as a hospital pharmacist in the community and enjoys hunting, fishing, and building wood projects. Ben and his family stay busy homeschooling their boys and enjoy exploring the beauty of God's creation with them throughout the year. 


ENCOURAGING VERSE: Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

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Ben and his wife, Kathryn, have four amazing boys! Ben and his family have been attending Hope Church since 2021 after moving to the area for Ben's job. They felt instantly welcomed their first day at Hope Church and knew it was where God was calling them. Ben joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2025. Ben works as a hospital pharmacist in the community and enjoys hunting, fishing, and building wood projects. Ben and his family stay busy homeschooling their boys and enjoy exploring the beauty of God's creation with them throughout the year. 


ENCOURAGING VERSE: Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

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Doug Wynveen

Elder

Doug and his wife, Karen, have four adult children and five grandchildren. Doug and Karen came to Hope Church as part of the original church plant 25 years ago. Doug is a retired banker who enjoys road biking and pickleball. Doug joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2025. 

encouraging verse: ISAIAH 40:31

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

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Doug and his wife, Karen, have four adult children and five grandchildren. Doug and Karen came to Hope Church as part of the original church plant 25 years ago. Doug is a retired banker who enjoys road biking and pickleball. Doug joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2025. 

encouraging verse: ISAIAH 40:31

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

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Paul Anderson

Elder

Paul has been married to Melinda since 1984. Together they have adopted three boys, all adults. Two of their sons are married and they are blessed with one granddaughter. Paul and Melinda have been at Hope Church since 2021. The first Sunday they came, they were welcome warmly and they have since stayed. Paul and Melinda appreciate the depth and breadth of welcome and relationships God has provided at Hope Church. Paul is a former CPA, a licensed EFCA pastor, and works for the EFCA's North Central District. Paul joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2024. 


Encouraging  Verse:  MATTHEW 6:34

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

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Paul has been married to Melinda since 1984. Together they have adopted three boys, all adults. Two of their sons are married and they are blessed with one granddaughter. Paul and Melinda have been at Hope Church since 2021. The first Sunday they came, they were welcome warmly and they have since stayed. Paul and Melinda appreciate the depth and breadth of welcome and relationships God has provided at Hope Church. Paul is a former CPA, a licensed EFCA pastor, and works for the EFCA's North Central District. Paul joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2024. 


Encouraging  Verse:  MATTHEW 6:34

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

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Mark Erickson

Elder

Mark asked the Lord to be his savior at the age of 12 at Camp Nathanial. a boys summer bible camp in Hinkley, MN. The following 12 years were representative of a life torn between Christ and following his own desires. At the age of 24, Mark married his wife Lisa. They have now been married for 36 years. Mark and Lisa have four adult children and two grandchildren. With Lisa by his side, Mark has experienced the challenges of life raising children, going through successes and failure. Through it all, Mark and Lisa's faith in Christ has deepened together. Mark joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2024. 


Encouraging Verse: philippians 4:6-7

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Select Image

Mark asked the Lord to be his savior at the age of 12 at Camp Nathanial. a boys summer bible camp in Hinkley, MN. The following 12 years were representative of a life torn between Christ and following his own desires. At the age of 24, Mark married his wife Lisa. They have now been married for 36 years. Mark and Lisa have four adult children and two grandchildren. With Lisa by his side, Mark has experienced the challenges of life raising children, going through successes and failure. Through it all, Mark and Lisa's faith in Christ has deepened together. Mark joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2024. 


Encouraging Verse: philippians 4:6-7

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

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Aaron Mork

Elder

Aaron Mork joined the Hope Church Elder Board in the Fall of 2021. Aaron is thankful that God led him to this role. It is a role that has stretched him and caused him to step out of his comfort zone time and again, and in his experience, this is when personal growth takes place. Aaron is married to Tawnya and they began attending Hope Church in 2001 and never left. The people of Hope Church have been a consistent source of encouragement, love, and accountability for Aaron and Tawnya for the past 25+ years. Aaron and Tawnya have two daughters, Ruby and Lyndi. Both girls are active in the youth group at Hope Church and Ruby enjoys playing the drums with the worship team. 


Encouraging  Verse:  John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

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Aaron Mork joined the Hope Church Elder Board in the Fall of 2021. Aaron is thankful that God led him to this role. It is a role that has stretched him and caused him to step out of his comfort zone time and again, and in his experience, this is when personal growth takes place. Aaron is married to Tawnya and they began attending Hope Church in 2001 and never left. The people of Hope Church have been a consistent source of encouragement, love, and accountability for Aaron and Tawnya for the past 25+ years. Aaron and Tawnya have two daughters, Ruby and Lyndi. Both girls are active in the youth group at Hope Church and Ruby enjoys playing the drums with the worship team. 


Encouraging  Verse:  John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

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Steve Nelson

Elder Chairman

Steve and his wife, Therese, have called Hope Church home for more than 20 years. They first started attending Hope Church when it met in the Art Barn and a local school cafeteria. They are grateful to be raising their four children as part of the Hope Church community. Steve and Therese have enjoyed serving in many areas of the church over the years, mostly in Youth and Children's ministry. Steve joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2021 and currently serves as the Elder Chair. Steve is an engineer turned small business owner who enjoys building and creating. When he is not working or serving the church, he can be found spending time with his family, working on woodworking projects, or enjoying powersports and watersport activities. 


Encouraging Verse: Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

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Steve and his wife, Therese, have called Hope Church home for more than 20 years. They first started attending Hope Church when it met in the Art Barn and a local school cafeteria. They are grateful to be raising their four children as part of the Hope Church community. Steve and Therese have enjoyed serving in many areas of the church over the years, mostly in Youth and Children's ministry. Steve joined the Hope Church Elder Board in 2021 and currently serves as the Elder Chair. Steve is an engineer turned small business owner who enjoys building and creating. When he is not working or serving the church, he can be found spending time with his family, working on woodworking projects, or enjoying powersports and watersport activities. 


Encouraging Verse: Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

cancel save