Our Team

  • Senior Pastor

    I am truly blessed to be able to serve as the senior pastor at Hope since my installation on January 12th, 2025.

    I grew up in middle Georgia until I moved to Nashville to earn my undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. I double majored in Education Studies and Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. After graduating in 2017, I moved to St. Louis where I studied at Concordia Seminary to earn my Master of Divinity. While I was in St. Louis, I met my wife Christina and we got married in 2019 before moving for my vicarage (pastor internship) in Boca Raton, FL. I graduated from the Sem and was ordained into ministry in 2021. Chris and I moved across the country to Eastvale, CA where I served as the pastor of Edgewater Lutheran Church until the end of 2024. While we were in California, I also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Concordia University Irvine and published several small group Bible Studies through Amazon. While we lived in California, we had our first son, Ezekiel, and adopted our husky, Ghost. We moved to Texas after I accepted the Call to Hope Lutheran Church. After we moved, we adopted a second husky named Shadow. I was installed as the senior pastor here at Hope on January 12th, 2025. In addition, I anticipate finishing my Doctor of Education in the Spring of 2025.

    I sometimes feel like the walking embodiment of the adage “jack of all trades, master of none.” I enjoy playing soccer, volleyball, and tennis. Both my wife and I are weightlifters and Spartan racers. I also enjoy console video games, woodworking, home projects, writing, and reading. We are avid fans of the Nashville Predators and the Atlanta United Football Club. I love to have conversations about life and faith, so please never hesitate to reach out. I am here for you!

  • Director of Music

    I am originally from Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Michigan, I was a teacher of choir and theology at Martin Luther High School, first in Greendale, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee) and then in Maspeth, New York (part of Queens). After that, I worked for many years in church music in Omaha, Nebraska. I came to Hope in Fall of 2018.

    I met my wife, Vivian at Concordia College, Ann Arbor. She is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. We have 4 children. Natalie is married to Matthew, and lives in Omaha with their 3 children. Son Ethan lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Son Avery is a teacher at Concordia Preparatory School in the Baltimore area, and Jonah is student at Texas State University

    Growing up in Detroit my spiritual path included time in the Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church and the Baptist Church until I became a confirmed Lutheran in 8th grade. Throughout my life there has been a connection between my faith in Jesus and the expression of that faith in music. I find great joy in using God’s gift of music to deepen our connection with God’s Word and to enhance worship services. It is my goal to encourage people to use their God-given gifts to serve the Lord and His church.

    As Director of Music, I am the primary organist at Hope. I also direct the Choirs, Hand Bell Ensembles and Instrumentalists who all join together to make a joyful noise to the Lord.

    If you are interested in making music at Hope and would like to get involved, please have a talk with me, call me at the church office or email me at: mkesar@hope-lutheran.org

    When not making music l enjoy biking, exercise, cooking, reading, shopping, and sight-seeing.

  • Director of Youth Ministry

    I hail from the mid-west, namely Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, before joining Hope's faith family in 2005.  Happily a Jesus freak as long as I can remember, it was on a youth group trip to the Rockies that God captured my heart for sharing His unique love in the lives of teens.  I attended the University of Missouri, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Health Education and slid in the back door of ministry, attaining my degree in religion through the colloquy program at Concordia University-River Forest while already serving as a Director of Youth Ministries in St. Louis.  I have served in parish ministry for more than 25 years and am passionate about helping every generation see their calling in the development of disciples and the spread of the Gospel.

    My greatest joy has been, and continues to be, the kaleidoscope created in marriage to my best friend, Kevin and our four incredible children, all of whom are now young adults and figuring out their own paths.  I steady my heartbeat with a long list of arts and crafts and digging into/preserving family history.

  • Director of Children’s Ministry

    The Director of Children's Ministry incorporates the children of Hope Lutheran into the fabric of the congregation and helps them grow in faith through programs, education, and coordination. Krista has been Hope's Director of Children's Ministry since July, 2010.

  • Preschool Director

    I've been blessed to work in education for 30 years, receiving my bachelor's in education from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) and my master's in educational management from the University of Houston. My roles have included public school administrator, early childhood director, education professor, supervisor of student teachers, and special education and elementary education teacher. I also own a tutoring company, Encompass Academics. In 2020, God led me to become the director at Tiny Treasures, a ministry of Hope Lutheran Church.

    At Tiny Treasures, we partner with families to teach children to love themselves and others just as Jesus has called us to do, while also laying a strong educational foundation. Our families truly become extended families; we love spending our days with their treasured blessings. God has blessed us with an amazing team that loves the Lord and little learners. Each person is an answered prayer; I'm honored to work alongside them.

    I've been married since 1997 and am the proud mother of two grown children. Soon, I'll be an empty nester, or as I like to call it, a bird launcher. It's hard to see your babies leave the nest, but I am proud of them as they follow God's guidance for their lives. I'm blessed to witness their journeys and thankful God chose me to be their mom. I'm grateful I still get the JOY of working with little ones at Tiny Treasures. In my spare time, I love spending time with my family, going to the beach, enjoying sunsets, volunteering, playing pickleball and tennis, and exploring new places. I believe God wants us to do our best to enjoy every moment; I'm grateful for each day HE allows me to serve HIM and enjoy this precious life

  • Business Manager

    Katherine is responsible for effectively administering the business affairs of the church - freeing the ministry staff from the burden of managing day-to-day operations. She is responsible for financial affairs, human resources, and insurance administration. Katherine has been Hope's Business Manager  since July, 1999.

  • Office Manager

    Debbie is responsible for the management of accurate membership and attendance information. She also coordinates the day-to-day information, scheduling, and activities that flow through the office. Debbie Hasty has been Hope's Office Manager since July, 1999. Item description

  • Facilities Manager

    I was born and raised on a small dairy farm near Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  I met my wife Wendy in high school and we married after her graduation.  We moved to Madison where I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.  Our daughter was born during my senior year of college after which we moved to Charleston, West Virginia where I went to work for Union Carbide Corporation.  Our son was born in Charleston.  In my 32 years working for Union Carbide/Dow Chemical we were able to see the world, but this did require a number of moves – from Charleston, WV – to Yokohama, Japan – to Jubail, Saudi Arabia – to Charleston, WV – to Victoria, TX – to Friendswood. 

    I have been a Lutheran all my life. Baptized, confirmed, and married in small Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church in Pickett, Wisconsin.  In Charleston our Lutheran Church options were rather limited -  so we decided to get more liberal and joined an LCMS church – one of only three Lutheran Churches in Charleston. In Yokohama our English speaking church options were even more limited, so we attended an Anglican Church.  In Saudi there were no legal church options available, but we returned to LCMS churches in our subsequent moves. I have been involved as member of the Board of Directors and Building Committee at Hope and managed Hope’s most recent project to build the Family Life Center/Gym, offices, and classrooms and after the project was completed, I joined the Staff as the Facilities Manager.

    My time away from work is spent attending sports and theater events our grandsons are involved in.  I also enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking and following  sports – still root for the Packers and season ticket holder with the Texans.