Leadership

Pastors & Staff

jason mcdonald

teaching pastor

Jason has served on the pastoral staff at Living Hope since September of 2013, beginning his current role as Teaching Pastor in April of 2017. His responsibilities include casting long-term vision for the church as well as preaching and pastoral care. His passion lies in helping people understand and apply God's Word.

Jason holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, an MA in Biblical Counseling, an MDiv in Great Commission Studies, and is currently working on a doctoral degree in expository preaching. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, perfecting his barbeque technique, and spending time with his family. He and his wife Christina stay busy with their three awesome sons, Sam, Nathan, and Jon.

Eric foster

associate pastor

Eric joins Living Hope Church as associate pastor after having served as a pastoral intern at the church. Eric oversees our small group ministry and leads the men's ministry as one of his passions is encouraging and equipping Christians in their faith.

Eric and his wife Jill have one son, Jeremiah who fills their home with laughter and adventures. Eric loves watching documentaries, reading, and the occasional round of disc golf. Having wrestled with the definition of truth in his past, Eric is now motivated to share the truth of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.

lindsey williams

kids director

Lindsey joined the Living Hope staff in the Fall of 2016. Lindsey delights in seeing Living Hope Kids learn about Jesus through stories, play, and worship. Lindsey and her volunteers are excited to help LH Kids live out 1 Timothy 4:12 in their personal lives and their community.

Lindsey and her husband, Isaac, have two kids who keep them active! Lindsey enjoys reading, cooking, binge watching The Office, eating all things white chocolate and football! Her dream vacation would be sitting on a 'quiet' beach reading a stack of books.

ryan arrington

worship and student director

Ryan joined the Living Hope staff in the summer of 2019. He desires to help students see who Jesus is and help them to follow Him. He also has a passion to lead others to worship Jesus through song.

Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, have two wonderful children who keep them on their toes. Ryan is currently working towards his MDiv at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. 

Jason walters

church administrator

Jason grew up in the ranks of Living Hope Church, starting as a member who felt a call to pastoral ministry. He joined the staff as a pastoral intern prior to joining the team as the Discipleship Pastor in 2017.  His role allowed him to pursue one of his passions in life: helping people grow in their relationships with Jesus Christ.  He now serves as our church administrator.

Jason loves good bbq and meatlovers and mushroom pizzas.  His best friend is his wife, Kate, with whom he has four kids, one beagle, and a small, but growing, hobby farm.  Jason earned his MDiv from Liberty University.  He ended up in Marysville after growing up all over the United States as the son of a US Marine and then serving in the Air Force himself where he fulfilled the dream of being a weather forecaster.

Kelly Hammersmith

women's ministry director

Kelly has served as the Women's Ministry Director at Living Hope since the fall of 2012. In this role, Kelly strives to provide opportunities for studying the word of God so that women can grow in their faith and foster relationships and accountability with one another.

Kelly has been leading Bible studies for over 25 years and loves diving in to the word of God with other women over a hot cup of Starbucks - (Grande Chai Latte with two shots of decaf espresso, please.) Kelly and her husband, Rob, own an ice cream business, Cookie Dough Creamery, while they try and keep up with their three busy kids.