We value the proclamation and the centrality of the gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ.
We structure our lives to intentionally love and serve one another, regardless of our differences.
God sends us out in our workplaces, homes, schools, and neighborhoods to proclaim the hope of the gospel and to make followers of Jesus.
Our Partners
Our Leadership
BRACKEN ARNHART
Pastor
Bracken helps lead the vision, teaching, and preaching at Hope Church, as well as oversees the operations of Hope Church. He is passionate about biblical counseling and going to bed by 8:00 pm.
Bracken was born and raised in Texas, moved to Waco in 2007 to pursue mechanical engineering and business, and stayed in town to pursue a career in industry. Before planting Hope, Bracken spent 10 years in various leadership roles in local factories, while serving as a small group leader, deacon, and then elder at Grace Church Waco.
Bracken also teaches an operations course in the Baylor business school, and serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the city of Robinson. You will see him on campus, in local diners and taquerias, and enjoying small-town life as he seeks to share Jesus with everyone around.
Bracken met his wife Katie in their small group at Grace, and they have been married since 2015. They now have 4 beautiful girls and a yellow lab named Dain of the Iron Hills. They live in Robinson and hope to be here for many years to come.
Bracken also teaches an operations course in the Baylor business school, and serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the city of Robinson. You will see him on campus, in local diners and taquerias, and enjoying small-town life as he seeks to share Jesus with everyone around.
Bracken met his wife Katie in their small group at Grace, and they have been married since 2015. They now have 4 beautiful girls and a yellow lab named Dain of the Iron Hills. They live in Robinson and hope to be here for many years to come.
PHIL BARNES
Pastor
Phil helps oversee the teaching and preaching at Hope Church. He also guides the mission of the church and drinks an inordinate amount of Diet Dr. Pepper and hot tea - one of his many Hobbit-like traits.
Before coming to Central Texas, Phil and his family were IMB missionaries serving in Sub-Saharan Africa for ten years where Phil taught in local seminaries. Prior to that, he taught at a business school in Central Asia for two years, and ministered in churches in Alabama and Indiana while in the States working on degrees.
Phil is an Adjunct Professor of Missions and World Religions at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He leads the Grace Institute discipleship program for our partner Grace Network in the Waco area, and he is also a contract writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.
He and his wife Laura, a pediatric-focused Family Nurse Practitioner, met at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. They have been married since 1997 and have two sons, Daniel and Jonathan.
Phil is an Adjunct Professor of Missions and World Religions at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He leads the Grace Institute discipleship program for our partner Grace Network in the Waco area, and he is also a contract writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.
He and his wife Laura, a pediatric-focused Family Nurse Practitioner, met at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. They have been married since 1997 and have two sons, Daniel and Jonathan.