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Our Staff
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 Dave Gish
Senior Pastor
Contact: (203) 762-0706 Ext. 12
Dave came to Hope Church as Senior Pastor in December of 2006. After growing up Westport, CT, this has been quite a homecoming. His passion is for building up the local church through equipping and challenging its members to make a difference in the world for Christ. Dave’s primary focus at Hope is leading the church in fulfilling God’s mission and vision for our lives. He has a special emphasis on spiritual development and family ministry and carries a deep love for God and for people.
Prior to coming to Hope, Dave received his B.A. from the University of California, his Masters in Theology from Fuller Seminary in California and his ordination from the Evangelical Free Church of America. He has served as a Young Life Staff, Youth and Family ministry pastor in San Diego, California, Senior Pastor in Merced, California and recently as Pastor of Spiritual Development at Bethany Church in New Hampshire. At Bethany, he pioneered many new ministries and oversaw a vibrant adult ministry program to 2000 people in one of New England’s largest churches.
He lives in Wilton with his wife Jennifer, who is involved in many of the ministries at Hope. They have two daughters, Kayla and Kristina. Jennifer and Dave share a love for kayaking, animals, photography and gardening. Dave is an avid sports fan, Duke basketball fanatic, and frequent basketball player at the Wilton Y. You can check out his sermons in the podcast archive on this site. Finally, one of Dave's favorite Bible verses is from Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
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 Paul Karus
Director of Youth Ministries
Contact: (203) 762-0706 Ext. 13
Paul grew up in Northport, Long Island. At a very early age, Paul began to sense God’s calling him into ministry. Although he felt God’s calling, he spent a lot of time running from the Lord’s plan for his life. This journey took him from Long Island to Lynchburg, Virginia, then back to New York where he finally surrendered his will for God’s by completing a degree in Youth Ministry at Nyack College.
Paul met his wife, Kim, the first time he visited Nyack College. A romance quickly blossomed -- they became engaged in their junior year and married before their senior year. Following Paul’s senior year at Nyack, Paul began his career in youth ministry as an intern at a church in Goshen, New York which led to a full-time, nine and a half year ministry there. After nine years of service, Paul felt God’s leading once again; this time to Hope Church where he has been serving since the end of September 2008. Paul and Kim have two children, Kaylee (5) and Mackenzie (2) and reside in Wilton, Connecticut.
Following is a brief summary of Paul’s testimony:
During those years of running from the Lord, it was my plan to prove to God He did not want to use a guy like me for ministry. And so I dove, head first, into a lifestyle of partying abusing drugs and alcohol. This was a dark time in my life that led me to failing out of college and producing a lot hurt and pain to family and friends. Bu God being the compassionate God that He is restored the broken pieces of my life and made me whole again. Psalms 40 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and hear my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.” God did that just for me out of a life of sin, set my feet on solid ground and He has put a new song in my mouth for sure! I believe God can do this for anyone who calls on Him and embraces His son Jesus as his or her personal Savior!
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 Dan Fox
Worship Director
Contact: 203-762-0706 Ext. 14
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Biography coming soon!
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 Christine McArdle
Children's Ministry Director
Contact: (203) 762-0706 Ext. 16
Christine McArdle grew up in Naples, Maine and currently resides in Wilton with her husband, James, and three children, Ben, Annie and William. Since graduating from Bowdoin Colege she has worked in the insurance industry and as a social worker and teacher.
Following is a brief summary of her testimony...
I first accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in high school. I became very aware of the sin in my life and recognized a desperate need for forgiveness. Jesus provided that assurance, and I have trusted in Him to guide my life ever since. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 81:10 "I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it."
When not working as the Director of Chidren's ministry, Christine coaches youth field hockey and teaches math to gifted students. She has volunteered for many years in the Children's Ministry program at Hope. She enjoys baking, knitting and watching her kids play football, basketball, field hockey and lacrosse.
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 Charlotte Richards
Office Administrator
Contact: (203) 762-0706 Ext. 11
Charlotte was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived two years in Norway; then, from the age of nine, lived in Baldwin on Long Island. Shortly after she married her husband, Art, she moved to California where they lived for 23 years. Currently, Charlotte lives in Wilton. They have five children: Cynthia, Edward, Paul (deceased), Stephen and Curtis and six grandchildren.
Following is a brief summary of Charlotte’s testimony:
I was surrounded by loving Christian relatives and enjoyed participating in many church activities while growing up. I accepted Christ at a Billy Graham crusade in Roosevelt Park on Long Island at age 15.
One of Charlotte’s favorite Bible verses is Psalm 23, A Psalm of David
When Charlotte is not providing stability to our busy office, she enjoys gardening self-sowing annuals and perennials, playing the piano, reading, cooking and needlework. After she refreshed her secretarial skills, she has worked since her youngest son was 12 several places: San Jose City College, Rotary Club of San Jose and now here at Hope Church "with the greatest people this side of heaven."
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 Kelley Oplinger
Office Assistant
Contact: (203) 762-0706 Ext. 10
Kelley grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and currently resides in Wilton with her husband and two children.
Following is a brief summary of Kelley’s testimony:
Through the wise guidance of my parents, I spent much time in Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and youth group as a youngster. Many seeds were planted in those years! After a few years of living on my own as a young adult, my spirit was withering and my life was empty of purpose because I stopped nurturing my faith. I recognized my desperate need for Christ and the emptiness of life without fellowship with my heavenly Father. It’s been an incredible journey since that recommitment to Christ.
One of Kelley’s favorite Bible verses:
“But even the hairs on your head are numbered.” Matthew 10:30
When Kelley is not assisting the staff here at Hope, she enjoys doting over her husband and children, walking her adorable Dachshunds, reading fiction and rooting for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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