Leadership: Elders & Deacons
As a congregation, we nominate and elect Elders and Deacons to serve as leaders alongside Pastor Tom. The Elders are mentors and leaders overseeing our vision and operations. While Elders are involved with caring for the spiritual needs of the congregation, Deacons care for practical aspects of our congregation such as physical, financial, and emotional needs.
Our Elders
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. -Mark 10:42-45
To Contact any of our Elders, click here email
Darden Caylor, Assistant Pastor (Teaching Elder)
Darden, and his wife, Belinda, are founding members of Hope Church. He served as Associate Pastor from 2000-2007 and returned to resume his role in January 2023. While Darden enjoys all aspects of ministry, he is particularly passionate about community outreach and worship. What Darden loves most about Hope Church is the way they live out Colossians 3:13. "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Mark True, cLERK OF tHE sESSion
Mark has been a member of Hope Church since 2003. He has been involved with the Worship Team (as a guitarist and vocalist), Children's Ministry, Youth Group, and small groups. He greatly appreciates Hope's focus on grace. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Jon Dunn
Jon received Christ early in childhood and has been in the church all of his life. He married the love of his life (Susan) in 1974 and spent 48.5 wonderful years with her before Jesus called her home in 2020. They came to Texas in 2001 and joined Hope Church. During the four years they were worshipping with Hope, he was an elder and handled the church finances. When he had to place Susan in a memory care facility in San Antonio in 2020, he returned to Hope church where he still knew some of the people and loved Paster Tom. "I am not sure how God will use me this time but I am confident He has a plan for me." "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
jAYSON lEROY
Jayson has worked in the Life Safety industry for over 20 years and has been a member of Hope Church since 2006. In that time, he's served in various roles throughout the church including small groups, deacon, Worship Team member and leader. Jayson admires that Hope Church holds true to it's motto, A Real Church for Real People. "We don't hide the fact that we are broken sinners. We strive to be better than what we are but acknowledge the fact that we need each other as a community of believers to even remotely come close to achieving that goal. As dysfunctional as it may be (and trust me, we have some dysfunction within our midst), we truly are a family in Christ that does well together despite the challenges."
Joe Novack
Joe came to Hope Church in 2005 after years of being unchurched. Drawn in by the down to earth sermons and Pastor Tom’s ability to engage with the youth, Joe and his wife Michele knew they found their church home after their first visit. Blessed to have been stationed in San Antonio for most of his career, those at Hope have become his extended family. Since his retirement from Army Medicine, he now volunteers his time blending sound for the worship team as well as assisting with several other behind the scenes administrative and hospitality functions.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. Psalms 119:66
Our Deacons
The first duty of a Deacon is to provide sympathy and service to those in need. Acts 6:1-4
Our Deacons oversee the practical care for our congregation.
If you are in need of assistance, please reach out to out this team by clicking here email
sean lester, Deacon Moderator
Sean is a recently retired US Army Medical Service Corps Officer with over 28 years of active duty service. His wife, Julianna, is an established Realtor here in San Antonio working with Nix Realty Company. Julianna and Sean have two beautiful children, Erin and Christopher who are both attending college here in Texas. Sean and his family have been members of Hope Church since 2009. Sean has volunteered in several capacities within the church to include the Worship Team. Sean was honored to be nominated and ordained as deacon in 2020.
Rose Evans
Rose comes to us as a military transplant. Born and raised in Hawaii, she developed a deep love for the water and outdoors. She and husband Brian have been married 35 years. They have two children. Brady is currently serving in the United States Navy as a Helicopter pilot and loves it. Their daughter Shelby served 5 years active duty and is now attending college out of state. Rose has a soft spot for our military, being a military brat herself. Through the course of Brian’s military career, Rose served as ombudsman and filled many other roles of support. She is happiest when she’s busy helping others.
pebby garner
Pebby works as a System Administrator at UTSA. She considers herself a "tech" nerd. She has been at Hope Church, San Antonio since 2002. Pebby's love for Hope is multi faceted but the biggest reason she loves Hope is the support of the people through tough times. She points out that Pastor Tom, his wife Kathy, and many others, have always found room for her in their lives. In addition to serving as a Hope Church Deacon for over 6 years, Pebby also serves on the Hope Church Worship Team, Hospitality Team and publishes the weekly sermon bulletins.
Judy Harrell
Judy has been a long time member of Hope Church. She has served with Hope's Hospitality, Children's, and Women's Ministries, as well as participated in Sunday services, Hope4Kids, Bible studies, and Retreats. She enjoys the fun of being a part of the fellowship at Hope as we love one another. Judy's passion in life is to help others know the freedom and joy of life in Christ. She is humbled to be chosen to serve as Deacon.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
mike mitchell
Mike is a retired Air Force fighter pilot who retired from over 25 years of active duty service. He continues to serve as an F-16 instructor pilot and Subject Matter Expert for a contractor teaching USAF pilots how to fly the F-16. His wife Kimberly is a local barber shop owner. He has two grown children, Katy and Luke who are amazing. Mike has attended Hope Church since 2000 and volunteered in several positions with the church including the Worship Team where he plays the guitar poorly on various Sundays. He was ordained a deacon in 2018 despite feeling unworthy.
James Townsend
Jimmy was born and raised in San Antonio and has been in healthcare sales for over 22 years. He and his wife Jennifer are blessed with three beautiful daughters. Jimmy and his family became members of Hope Church in 2013. In May of 2018, Jimmy was selected to serve as a Hope Church Deacon. Jimmy also enjoys helping with the landscaping projects at Hope Church. “I love that Hope Church is a very real place where people can come as they are and receive God’s grace and love in a warm and inviting family atmosphere.”
Cheryl Trim
Cheryl is a native Texan. She has worked in the publishing, finance, and education fields. Her husband, Carl Trim, is an elder at hope. Together, they have 3 lovely children Amanda, Matthew, and Sarah. She and her family have been at Hope Church since 2006. Cheryl has served in various roles throughout her time at Hope including Prayer Ministry, Hospitality, Ushers, and Hope for Kids/Youth Group.
Jack Fliss
John "Jack" Fliss joined Hope Church with his wife, Yolanda in 2021. Jack was in the military with the 82nd Airborne Military Police, 560th MP, and the 12th SF Group, Military Intelligence. He served a year in Vietnam and returned home to become a Milwaukee Police Officer for ten years, then acquiring a law degree and practiced law for twenty years in Chicago, Illinois. As a practicing attorney, he established a mediation center, many cases pro bono, thus avoiding trial. He became a born again Christian in 2004, and began putting his mediation skills to practice counseling drug and alcohol addicts at Wayside Cross Mission. He continued counseling as a Stephens's Minister at his local church. Jack retired to Texas in 2012 and continued as a biblical counselor at a local church for 8 years and led a church PTSD group and other courses promoted by psychologists Henry Cloud and John Townsend. In 2014 he was instrumental in establishing the Reboot Trauma healing course in San Antonio for combat veterans. "My focus at Hope is to express God's love, compassion, and forgiveness, and help those in need that are struggling through life."
Jenn Townsend
Bio Pending
