LIVING HOPE

A MESSAGE FROM

OUR PASTOR

Thanks for visiting our website! Look around to learn a little more about us, what we believe and what we value. If you choose to visit, we trust you will find inspiring worship, practical teaching, supportive ministries and friendly people. Living Hope is a place where you can get to know others who will share this journey of pursuing God and growing in Him. Please don’t go it alone. Whether at Living Hope or one of the many other great churches in this area, finding friends who will walk with you is so important. Of course, the best way to learn about a church is to visit. We would love to meet you!

LIVING HOPE

LEADERSHIP TEAM

We love when individuals first discover the amazing and unconditional love that God has for them, followed by the realization that he has designed and created them specifically for His purposes. As a team, we serve Him and His church not out of obligation, but out of gratitude and with the love that He demonstrates to us daily!

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PASTOR RON RESSLER

I am blessed to serve with the Elder Team, as together we seek God’s desires and purposes for Living Hope. I am a relational leader/shepherd, and I aspire to make my teaching as Biblical yet as practical as possible. My goal is that each of us will “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:13b).

I have served in the role of pastor at Living Hope since 2005. My wife Molly and I have been married since 1984 and have two adult children.

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KEVIN WENGER

I've been truly blessed and priviledged to serve as an Elder here at Living Hope for the past 5 years. I am a Financial and numbers guy by vocation but find my greatest enjoyment and life purpose in building relationships with people by listening, encouraging, and building trust as I invest my time and energy in their lives. I am passionate here at Living Hope about small groups of people meeting together to encourage and spur each other on in faith and the life purpose that God has given us.

I am so blessed to be married to Glenda for 25 years and to have 3 wonderful children. We enjoy traveling as a family and spending time in the outdoors.

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RICHARD REED

My wife Carla and I are blessed and honored to partner in leadership at Living Hope. We have been part of this church for more than 9 years. Both of us have been set free from addictive lifestyes from before our marriage. FATHER has called us to father and mother individuals and couples in their pursuit of a deeper relationship with GOD.

We have been married for 34 years and are blessed with 3 daughters and 4 granddaughters.

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CHRISTOPHER PETERS

It has been a pleasure to serve on the Elder Team since 2013. Throughout this time, I have also enjoyed being part of the worship team. An architect by trade, I am excited to "rebuild the ancient ruins" (Isaiah 61:4) not only physically, but also spiritually, emotionally, and relationally in the lives of God's people.

My wife Mary Grace and I have three children. We are excited to live, work, and go to school in Lancaster City! We love being part of such a vibrant community, whether it be downtown or just with people in our own backyard.

WE ARE THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE HERE.

COME VISIT, OR GIVE US A CALL! WE WOULD LOVE TO GET TO KNOW YOU.

SUBMIT

LIVING HOPE

CORE VALUES

01

EVERY PERSON MATTERS TO GOD AND US

No matter your past, your present, your successes or your failures, you are of great worth in the eyes of God, and we strive to treat each person we meet with honor and dignity. We want to see each person discover their value in God’s sight.

02

GOD'S WORD IS OUR FOUNDATION

We endeavor to correctly base all teaching, ministry and practice on God’s infallible word. God’s word is eternally true and must be carefully applied to all of life’s situations, but not adjusted or reinterpreted to fit cultural trends or societal pressures.

03

FOLLOWERS, NOT JUST BELIEVERS

Faith in Jesus is not a belief system, but rather a commitment to become a disciple, following His steps, and allowing our entire life to be shaped by His leadership. While preaching, teaching and various ministries and programs have their place, we believe that people are transformed primarily through relationships. First and foremost, an intimate relationship with God through His Word, worship and prayer is most important. In addition, an open and honest relationship with a few other close friends will help individuals grow and mature.

04

BEYOND SUNDAY, BEYOND THE BUILDINGEYOG

While we desire the time spent in our building each Sunday to be inspirational and challenging, the times outside of the church beyond Sunday mornings is when we really need to be the church. Whether meeting with your small group, talking with a co-worker or serving in your community, this is where the “salt and light” of Christ’s disciples is most needed.

LIVING HOPE

STAFF

While none of the staff at Living Hope is full-time, they work together behind the scenes to keep things moving smoothly, making room for God to move.

Administrator

Kevin Wenger

Kevin makes sure we stick to our budget, plans for large expenses like building repairs, works with the pastor and bookkeeper and handles the business related items to keep everything on track.

Administrative Assistant

Jannah Esbenshade

Jannah works in the office several days a week answering questions through the phone and email, creating the bulletin and generally trying to help everything flow smoothly.

Facility Coordinator

Amy Wentzel

Amy works with anyone who wants to rent the church for an outside event, opening the building to the community for weddings, basketball games, ballroom dancing and zumbathons.

Bookkeeper

Deb Ward

Deb takes care of the financials for Living Hope. She records tithes and offerings, manages online donations, coordinates donations to Living Hope missionaries, and pays the bills that Living Hope receives.

LIVING HOPE

OUR JOURNEY

Living Hope is a non-denominational church made up of a growing diversity of people from across Lancaster County. We are part of the HopeNet Fellowship of Churches, a regional network of churches that provides oversight for our pastors and fellowship and support among leaders.

  • Started in 1998
  • Moved to Hambright Elementary School in 1999
  • Leased room in the M. H. Kaye Pavilion in 2001
  • Began renovation of the Martin Chicken Hatchery on Columbia Avenue in 2005
  • Completed renovation and moved into current building in 2007