Our Team

Pastors

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 an DMin in Expository Preaching. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, perfecting his barbecue 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 serves as the Associate Pastor of Living Hope Church, where he provides leadership to the small group and men’s ministries. Having personally wrestled with the definition of truth in his own life, he is now motivated to share the truth of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. His passion is to equip believers for spiritual maturity, encouraging them to live with integrity and engage fully in the life and mission of the church.

Eric and his wife, Jill, are blessed with their son, Jeremiah. In his free time, he enjoys reading, watching documentaries, and spending time outdoors.

ryan arrington

worship and student pastor

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 in the united worship of Jesus through song.

Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, have three wonderful children who keep them on their toes. Ryan has his MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. 

STAFF

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.

Kelly Hammersmith

womens 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 to study the
word of God so that women can grow in their faith and foster relationships
and accountability with one another.  We also offer organized activities that
focus on the areas of teaching, fellowship and serving.

Kelly has been leading Bible studies for over 25 years and loves pouring over
the word of God with other women with a hot cup of Starbucks - (Grande
Chai Latte with two shots of decaf espresso, please.) As well as teaching the Bible, Kelly is a teacher vocationally. She and her husband, Rob, have three awesome kids.

Beth Ellinger

Cleaning and Hospitality coordinator

Beth joined the Living Hope staff in the Fall of 2025 as our Cleaning and Hospitality Coordinator. Beth enjoys helping make Living Hope a welcoming and inviting place for everyone who walks through our doors. She has a heart for serving others and takes joy in keeping things clean and ready for our church family!

Beth is originally from Michigan (yes, that state up north!) and lives with her husband and her two children. She is known for her kind heart, enjoys spending time with her family, and somehow still raises chickens (specifically chosen for their wonderfully colorful eggs).

Autumn Reighard

Church Ministry Coordinator

Autumn has been serving  Living Hope as the Church Ministry Coordinator since 2025. From coordinating building usage to helping develop a digital church directory, she loves finding ways to help Living Hope stay connected and organized.

She and her husband, Jim, have four children who keep them active! She homeschools, helps produce dramas, leads Bible studies, and more. Autumn is an active and joyful servant to her family and our church!

DEACONS

Mike Abbott

Accounting

Adam Gray

Outreach

Russ Young

Building and Grounds

Steven Crane

Hospitality

Scott Kendall

Information technology

Brent Zimmerman

security and emergency management

Ben Day

Missions

Charlie Kimpel

connections

Ray Zimmerman

accounting