These new members were welcomed into the fellowship of Hope Church on November 19, 2017 during the 11 a.m. worship service. Please take the time to welcome these individuals into the family of Hope Church.
Gene Ryan joins by transfer from Fort Plain Reformed Church, Fort Plain, NY. Gene is graduating from Hope College in December 2017. He will be working toward his Masters of Divinity at Western Theological Seminary beginning in January 2018. Gene has worked at Camp Fowler, in Speculator, NY for three years. He enjoys reading, watching the New York Rangers Hockey Team, and hiking in the Adirondacks. Gene’s mother, Rev. Nancy Ryan, is a pastor in the RCA. He is sponsored by Dave Van Doorne.
Bob & Susanne Jordan join by transfer from Second Christian Reformed Church in Fremont, MI. Upon their recent retirement, Bob and Susanne decided to move from Fremont to Holland. Bob had worked in fund development and donor services at the Fremont Area Community Foundation, and Susanne was an adoption social worker at Bethany Christian Services in Fremont and Muskegon. Bob and Susanne have two grown children, a son-in-law, and two grandchildren. If Susanne looks familiar to some of you, it is because her older (by 4 minutes!) twin sister is Leanne Van Dyk, a former member of Hope Church. Bob and Susanne enjoy bicycling, traveling, reading, and taking care of their grandchildren. They are sponsored by John Schmidt and Dawn Boelkins.
Moira Poppen Gargano joins by reaffirmation of faith. She is the adopted daughter of Alvin and Geraldine Poppen, 1959 from Hong Kong. She attended Hope College and was taught by wonderful professors, Don Luidens (it was Don, who suggested she go to seminary), Jane Dickie, and David Myers. She taught English as a second language at universities in China, Virgin Islands, and New Jersey and tutored ESL in Puerto Rico. As a pastor’s spouse she has served to develop youth, elderly, education, and music ministries. Her husband Jeff, is still pastor of the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns, NY. Her daughter, Rachael was born in China, and her son, Nathan, was born in the Virgin Islands. Her family has bought their very first home in Holland! She is enjoying her new jobs with Resthaven and Comfort Keepers as a Care Companion. She walks her family dog, Winston about 4 hours every day! She is sponsored by Mark and Ann Sneller.
Cassie Nelson-Rogalski joins by transfer from Pillar Church in Holland, MI, with her husband Matt. She hails from the southern suburbs of Chicago and completed her undergraduate degree in Music Education at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL in 2015. She and her husband Matt moved to Holland that fall for him to begin his seminary journey. While she was teaching music their first year up here, God also called her to seminary. She has just completed the first of three years at Western Theological Seminary. After she completes her Master of Divinity, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Liturgical Theology. Her goal is to end up teaching at the undergraduate or seminary level. She is sponsored by Kari Miller Fenwood.