Our History
It began with a dream, a hope, a vision. It began with a commitment to pray twice a week for this new work. It began with a mindset to do “whatever it takes”. God called the people of Hope together for the first time on January 29, 1992, at a covered dish dinner at Stow Alliance Fellowship. Three days later the first of our weekly Bible study/prayer meetings began. Usually about a dozen of us, praying for people we had yet to meet. Praying for a city none of us lived in. But praying earnestly for the opportunity to present God’s plan for eternal life, and the chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a lost and dying world. The spiritual structure of Hope began to take shape in May, when our launch team turned its focus onto discussions of what kind of church God wanted this new work to be. It took a total commitment, a “whatever it takes” determination to follow His leading. “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” Psalm 127:1.
We were a motley crew with assorted backgrounds and vocations, a farmer, engineers, machinists, teachers, office workers, businessmen, housewives. As we worked and prayed together, God forged our unity, along with increasing our faith. Workdays found us tearing out walls, tossing piles of bricks and debris, nailing drywall, and painting, painting, painting. We built nursery cabinets, changed a hill into a parking lot, and consumed dozens and dozens of sloppy Joes, chips, along with gallons of “church punch”. Every evening and Saturday was a workday until opening Sunday. We all worked and we all prayed.
July found us on the phones, making 22,000 phone calls to find those in the area who were unchurched, and inviting them to attend our opening Sunday, scheduled for September 27, 1992. On Saturday night before opening Sunday, we were still knee deep in dry wall dust and things that needed to be done, but by daybreak, everything was miraculously spotless, and we were anxiously waiting to meet those much loved and prayed for strangers who God would usher through the doors of Hope Community Church. Over $85,000 of volunteer hours went into transforming the Nye building into a sanctuary dedicated to God’s purposes.
That fall we continued to work and pray, each of us taking turns cleaning the church weekly – sweeping what seemed like miles of carpet, and making sure all was in order for each Sunday morning. In October we began “Family Night”, a fun time to get together once a month for food and fellowship, and a great opportunity to get to know our new friends. As we looked forward to celebrating our first Christmas at Hope, we unwittingly began a new tradition that continues to this day, of decorating the church for Christmas. Too tired to cook a great big meal, we had “Pizza by Candlelight”. The atmosphere was great, the fellowship fabulous, and for the next seven years we drove the pizza parlors in this area nuts by ordering more and more pizza for our special Christmas dinners at Hope.
These pages can’t contain all the events that took place as Hope grew in size and spiritual maturity. Bible studies offered us an opportunity to teach and to grow in Christ. We saw new families change and start living their new faith. Missionary dinners, hay rides, corn roasts, ladies night out, a canoe trip, a white water rafting trip, annual ice cream socials, “Super Bowl Parties”, “Some Enchanted Evening” in February, VBS and All Church Picnics helped us bond together.
On April 7, 1997, as an act of faith, Jim Smith planted 10 acres of oats on the hill at 3033 Middleton Road. That summer, 13,420 pounds of oats were harvested, as well as 738 bales of straw – literally seed money for the new Hope Community Church building. By January of 1998 a building committee had been formed; they met to discuss what needs we had and how to plan and construct a building that would best meet those needs. How many classrooms? How big should they be? What kind of nursery, and how could we ensure it’s safety? How many restrooms, and where should they be located? Every question was carefully considered, and the input of all the teachers and interested persons prayerfully addressed.
On April 6th, plans were submitted for the new HCC. It was grey, cold, and drizzly on December 13th when the big concrete trucks rolled in to start pouring the basement walls. Trusses were delivered, with the first ones to be used on the bottom; so all had to be restacked. Who could forget the men like tightrope walkers, high above us, supervising the placement of the huge trusses that crown our building? By the end of March we were ALL up on the roof nailing shingles in place. Hope Community Church was looking great.
On October 8th, we gathered for a “lighting ceremony”, when we turned on the lights lining the drive and the light in the steeple for the first time. Our dedication service was held on November 5, 2000. The dream, the vision, the hope, was a reality. More than a building, Hope is a community of believers dedicated to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, committed to the spread of the gospel, salvation of the lost, and growing ever more closely to the image of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Just as a church is more than it’s building, it is also so much more than the sum of its programs. A church is the heart of God, lived out in the hearts of His people. The programs at Hope today are focused on bringing the lost to Christ, “…who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4. They are grounded on the authority of God’s word, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:16. We could not have envisioned the impact that Judgment House would have on our congregation or the surrounding communities. Multiple children’s plus teen ministries focus on sharing our faith along with Friend Days and Celebrate Recovery to those who are hurting. “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19. The planting of a daughter church in Athens, Ohio continues our mission of fulfilling the Great Commission. The Dunhams were the first missionary couple from Hope.
Through all the classes, outreach events, programs, and Sunday worship services, God has blessed us with the leadership of a loving shepherd, Pastor Jerry Witt, whose genuine love and concern is deeply felt by each one of us. Through all the years we have been known as Hope Community Church, and for all the years of our existence in the future, may we always be “…a people with a passion for loving God and sharing His eternal salvation.” We offer our deepest thanks to all who have had a part in fulfilling this dream. And the dream goes on!
To God be the glory, great things He has done!
By Sally Smith
History of Hope
Take a trip through our history. It is amazing to see how God provides a path for those who are willing to make great sacrifices to glorify Him!
About Jesus 
