Hi Women at Hope,
What is this whole coffee thing, you ask?
Well, coffee is a brewed beverage prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant. Oh wait…not what you are looking for? This whole coffee DATE thing is really for any woman who just wants to talk to somebody. Whether you have questions about God, questions about Hope, you’re wanting to learn more about the different ministries we have, or you just want to know someone who goes to Hope, THIS coffee thing is for YOU.
Why get coffee with us? Because WE ACTUALLY WANT TO MEET YOU. Believe it or not, no one makes us do this. The women in these profiles really do want to get to know you, exchange stories, and help you feel connected to this big community at Hope. We strongly believe that God thinks you are incredibly important, so we want to listen and encourage you any way we can.
Well, coffee is a brewed beverage prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant. Oh wait…not what you are looking for? This whole coffee DATE thing is really for any woman who just wants to talk to somebody. Whether you have questions about God, questions about Hope, you’re wanting to learn more about the different ministries we have, or you just want to know someone who goes to Hope, THIS coffee thing is for YOU.
Why get coffee with us? Because WE ACTUALLY WANT TO MEET YOU. Believe it or not, no one makes us do this. The women in these profiles really do want to get to know you, exchange stories, and help you feel connected to this big community at Hope. We strongly believe that God thinks you are incredibly important, so we want to listen and encourage you any way we can.
So let us buy you a cup of coffee. Let us be a familiar face on a Sunday morning. Let us help you find a place where you want to serve. And let us remind you that you are more valuable than you will ever know.
Rachel L. (rachel@hopecc.com)
I would like to say I was born under a Georgia Pine and that’s home to me, but that would be lying. Mostly I just like country music and those lyrics were in my head. I was born in Arizona, though, raised in Fargo and graduated from the U of M in 2006. I spent the next two years gallivanting around (or just living in) Brisbane, Australia doing full-time campus ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ. When I returned home to America in early 2009, Hope decided they wanted to give me a job as the Office Coordinator. Three years later I still coordinate the office, but now I also partner with Naty to do some small group and women’s ministry stuff. I’m excited about the story that God is writing and the way that He is working in the lives of the people at Hope. Mostly, I would love to meet you and hear a bit about your story and the work God is doing in your life.
Laura S. (laura@hopecc.com)
I am a proud and true Minnesota girl. I was born and raised here. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Biology degree. I live in the great Minneapolis. Like a true Minnesotan, I am a loyal Minnesota sports fan not matter how the season ends up. RAH! SKOL! WIN TWINS! I work full time at Hope Community Church working with our interns in the LDI program and with Women's Ministry. Though I love Minnesota, I enjoy to travel! My dream is to go to Italy and use my Italian. Other fun facts about me, I think chocolate and coffee should be additional food groups to the daily diet and cuddling is my favorite..ok the last one I stole from Buddy the Elf. If you are new or old to Hope, looking to get plugged in at Hope, want to get to know someone on staff, need a ear and caring heart, no matter your reason I'd love to take you out for coffee. My greatest joy is hearing people's stories and caring for them any way I can.
Bekah W. (bekahfuenning@hopecc.com)
NAME CHANGE!! That’s right…I just got married to a hunk of a man on December 15thof 2012. Besides being a wee bit love-struck, I would describe myself as positive, somewhat sarcastic andlegitimately in love with people. You should also know (before you get coffeewith me) that I try really hard to be cool and to look like it’s effortless. I actually kind of wish I was a realoutdoorsy hipster breed…but I’m not. I do love flannel, cribbage, hiking and a great conversation over a cupo’ tea. Now I just need some bigframes and to be super good at something artsy...like photography...and I’mset. Needless to say, I have along ways to go. What do I do withmy time? I am a Trek 2 LDI internat Hope and I nanny for four adorable children (I have to remind myself dailythat they aren’t mine). I amextremely thankful for all God has blessed me with and I would be even more thankful for an opportunity to meet and get to know you. Will you let me take you out?
Hey all! My name is Rachael Skarphol and I grew up in the
wonderful state of North Dakota but am so glad I now call Minnesota home. I
graduated from the U of M in 2010 with a degree in Architecture, nannied for a
couple years, and now am an intern at Hope in the LDI program. Yup, three very
different things, but I am so glad to be a part of Hope now! I also love
coffee, hiking, photography, and fireworks; these are a few of my favorite
things. :) I would absolutely love to take you out for coffee, hear about your
story, and help get you plugged in at Hope! I also love to laugh, so we can do
that as well. Hope to meet you soon!
I consider Caribou coolers to be my “gateway drug” into the
world of coffee. I am by no means a coffee connoisseur, but by all means
enjoy a good cuppa joe. In recent times, I have even learned to drink it
black. (I’m so brave!) I spend most of my days hanging out with
small children. Together, we enjoy learning to read, saying ridiculous
things, and using our words instead of hitting when we are upset. I
graduated from Bethel in 2005 with my degree in elementary education. I
have spent the last 8 year years teaching kindergarten and I love it.
While we’re on the topic, other things I love include mittens, Africa,
cute aprons, exploring Minneapolis, taking pictures, and friends. I love
to travel and see what God is doing in communities around the world, and I’m so
excited to meet you and hear your story as well. If you want, I promise
to greet you with a ridiculous quote from a kindergartner. Perhaps
something like: “Move over! I need room for my imagination!” or “When I
grow up I want to be a mermaid.”
Shannon M. (shannon@hopecc.com)
My name is Shannon Martin and I grew up in Oklahoma, but contrary to popular belief I do not walk around singing, “Ooooooooklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plains…” I do however love movies and everything to do with them, building community at Hope (I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true!), and doing crazy things like bungy jumping and road tripping cross country. I would love more than anything to help you get connected to the larger body of Hope by getting to know you and helping you find some events or people that would fit your personal style. I’d love to take you out for coffee anytime!
Hi ya’ll. I’m not a southerner but I’ll steal their slang. My name is Stacy Renae Whittlef. I’m actually from Buffalo, MN, but have lived in most of the close Western Suburbs of the Twin Cities. I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead in 2007 with a degree in Social Work and Spanish. Currently, I’m an intern with Hope in its Leadership Development Institute. I love Jesus and am very passionate about getting people better connected with Hope and its community. What better way to do that than to chat with you over a nice, caffeinated drink(or decaffeinated, I also do ice cream )? Hope to meet you soon!
Hello! My name is Jen Astrup and I grew up on a farm outside of Moorhead, MN. Even though Minneapolis has captured my heart since 2007, I will always be a country girl at heart. I spent last year interning with a college campus ministry (Cru) on the U of M campus, and had the sweet opportunity to go to East Asia and Australia on mission trips; and it totally gave me a little travel-bug. I love connecting with people, being outside, discovering new music and so much more! But mostly, I am super pumped about Jesus. I would love to hear about you and what makes you unique; and to help you get plugged into the awesome community that is Hope!
Hey! My name is Melissa and I'm a stay-at-home mom with a 14-month-old daughter named Evangeline, and I have an awesome husband named James. My background is in communications and graphic design, but nothing beats my current profession! We've been going to Hope since 2009, and I've loved the many ways this body has helped me to grow, including going through Trek 1 of LDI a couple years ago. You might call me a dabbler - I do a little bit of everything (not necessarily well!), and love learning new things. I love the outdoors, growing my own vegetables, making my own anything and finding a good deal. Getting to know cool people is another favorite, of course, so let's get coffee! (Or go on a walk around Lake Calhoun!) I would love to hear about who you are and help you get plugged in at Hope.
