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Meet Our Staff

Image of Pastor Russ

Dr. Russ Cox, Senior Pastor

BA University of Alabama, MDiv Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, DMin Fuller Theological Seminary (full time - on staff at New Hope since 1988), married to Janie Cox - 2 children - Rachel & Christopher.

Passion Statement: My ministry passion is growing the church to make an impact for the Kingdom of God.

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Teaching
Personality Type: ESTJ.
Strengths: Achiever, Learner, Belief, Harmony, Includer.

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Melba Wickham, Pastor of Adult Ministries

(on staff at New Hope since 1992), attended San Diego State University, married to Mike Wickham, 3 grown children - Todd (his wife, Nancy, and their daughter, Madison), Amy and her husband Corey Mergler, and daughter Emily and her husband Aaron Koutnik.

Spiritual Gifts: Word of Knowledge, Leadership, Teaching
Personality Type: INFP.
Strengths: Intellection, Connectedness, Ideation, Maximizer, Relator.
Passion: Discipling Christians

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Melodi Denton, Pastor of Children's Ministries

Melodi Denton is the Pastor of Children's Ministries here at New Hope Community Church. She handles all aspects of the Nursery through 6th grade. She feels blessed that God has placed her in a position where she can use her talents to His glory. When she is not planning, coordinating or working within these ministries, she loves spending time with her family, her husband Bill of 23 years and their two sons Evan, 18 and Lucas, 13.

Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Helps, Faith
Personality Type: ESTJ
Strengths: Activator, Strategic, Belief, Arranger, Responsibility.
Passion: Caring Ministries, Connecting, Children's Ministry.

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Michael "Mookie" Cunningham, Youth Pastor

Mookie has just joined our team here at New Hope and we'll have a short bio up in a little bit when he settles in.

Spiritual Gifts: Leadership, Faith, Shepherding
Personality Type: ENFP
Strengths: Adaptability, Belief, Includer, Restorative, Woo
Passion: To get all the emblems and titles in Call of Duty BlackOps

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Steve Duff,  Programming Arts Director (P.A.D.)

Steve has led numerous churches in worship and currently works part time with CTRG as well as providing musical production for various Christian bands and choirs. Steve has published six (6) CDs and is working on a seventh.

Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Helps, Faith
Personality Type: INFJ
Strengths:
Passion:

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LeAnne Elizondo, Financial Secretary

(On staff since September 2011). Has been attending New Hope for a gazillion years and married to Carlos, and have two children, Amanda (Mandi) and Nico 12.

Spiritual Gifts:
Personality Type:
Strengths:
Passion: To get the secret items in MW3 before Pastor Mookie does.

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Jim Nixon, Facilities Manager

Married to Kelly, and has two girls, Julia (13) and Jamie (11).

Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Helps, Giving and Craftsmanship.
Personality Type: ISFJ.
Strengths: Adaptility, Belief, Consistency, Empathy. Harmony.
Passion:

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Barbara Taylor, Asst. to the Pastoral Staff

(On staff since June, 2009).
Barbara assists Pastor Russ and Pastor Melba in an administrative capacity with the workload of an ever-growing church. Barbara and her husband, Clint, have attended New Hope since December 2007. They have two daughters, Jamie and Andrea, and three grandchildren.

Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Discernment, Faith, Teaching
Strengths: Communication, Individualization, Adaptability, Responsibility, Strategies
Personality Type: ESFJ

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Jessica Shuey, Administrative Assistant

(On staff since April, 2009).
When she isn't volunteering her time for the church, she loves spending time with her husband Sam, and her children (Johnny - 20, Cierra - 18 and Ezekiel - 13)

Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Helps, Hospitality
Strengths: Developer, Empathy, Woo, Connectedness, Belief
Personality Type: ESFP

E-mail the Staff:

Dr. Russ Cox: russ@go-newhope.com
Melba Wickham: melba@go-newhope.com
Michael "Mookie" Cunningham: mookie@go-newhope.com
Steve Duff: steve@go-newhope.com
Melodi Denton: melodi@go-newhope.com
Jessica Shuey: churchoffice@go-newhope.com
Barbara Taylor: barbara@go-newhope.com