Dr. Russ Cox, Senior Pastor

BA University of Alabama, MDiv Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, DMin Fuller Theological Seminary (full time - on staff at New Hope since 1988), married to Janie Cox - 2 children - Rachel & Christopher.

Passion Statement: My ministry passion is growing the church to make an impact for the Kingdom of God.

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Teaching
Personality Type: ESTJ.
Strengths: Achiever, Learner, Belief, Harmony, Includer.

Melba Wickham, Pastor of Adult Ministries

(on staff at New Hope since 1992), attended San Diego State University, married to Mike Wickham, 3 grown children - Todd (his wife, Nancy, and their daughter, Madison), Amy and her husband Corey Mergler, and daughter Emily and her husband Aaron Koutnik.

Spiritual Gifts: Word of Knowledge, Leadership, Teaching
Personality Type: INFP.
Strengths: Intellection, Connectedness, Ideation, Maximizer, Relator.
Passion: Discipling Christians

Melodi Denton, Pastor of Children's Ministries

Melodi Denton is the Pastor of Children’s Ministries here at New Hope Community Church. She handles all aspects of the Nursery through 6th grade. She feels blessed that God has placed her in a position where she can use her talents to His glory. When she is not planning, coordinating or working within these ministries, she loves spending time with her family, her husband Bill of 21 years and their two sons Evan, 16 and Lucas, 12.

Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Helps, Faith
Personality Type: ESTJ
Strengths: Activator, Strategic, Belief, Arranger, Responsibility.
Passion: Caring Ministries, Connecting, Children's Ministry.

Michael "Mookie" Cunningham, Youth Pastor

Mookie has just joined our team here at New Hope and we'll have a short bio up in a little bit when he settles in.

Spiritual Gifts:
Personality Type:
Strengths:
Passion:

Steve Duff,  Programming Arts Director (P.A.D.)

Steve has led numerous churches in worship and currently works part time with CTRG as well as providing musical production for various Christian bands and choirs. Steve has published six (6) CDs and is working on a seventh.

Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Helps, Faith
Personality Type: INFJ
Strengths:
Passion:

Kelly Nixon, Financial Secretary

(On staff from 1997-2000, and returned again January, 2007). Attended New Hope since 1995. Grew up in Chula Vista and graduated from Hilltop High School and SDSU with a B.S. in Accounting in 1992. Married to Jim, and has two girls, Julia (13) and Jamie (11).

Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Helps and Faith.
Personality Type: ISFJ.
Strengths: Discipline, Harmony, Belief, Developer and Restorative.
Passion: To help people in need.

Jim Nixon, Facilities Manager

Married to Kelly, and has two girls, Julia (13) and Jamie (11).

Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Helps, Giving and Craftsmanship.
Personality Type: ISFJ.
Strengths: Adaptility, Belief, Consistency, Empathy. Harmony.
Passion:

Barbara Taylor, Asst. to the Pastoral Staff

(On staff since June, 2009).
Barbara assists Pastor Russ and Pastor Melba in an administrative capacity with the workload of an ever-growing church. Barbara and her husband, Clint, have attended New Hope since December 2007. They have two daughters, Jamie and Andrea, and three grandchildren.

Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Discernment, Faith, Teaching
Strengths: Communication, Individualization, Adaptability, Responsibility, Strategies
Personality Type: ESFJ

Jessica Shuey, Administrative Assistant

(On staff since April, 2009).
Jessica also teaches Sunday School for our 1^st through 4^th graders during first service. When she isn't volunteering her time for the church, she loves spending time with her husband Sam, and her children (Johnny - 18, Cierra - 16 and Ezekiel - 12)

Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Helps, Hospitality
Strengths: Developer, Empathy, Woo, Connectedness, Belief
Personality Type: ESFP