The Rev. Dr. Christopher Q. James
Pastor
Chris became the pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church in January 2002. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN; his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ; and the Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL.
Chris grew up in the Presbyterian Church. After college, he became the Director of Youth Ministries in his home congregation, the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church. During this time Chris discerned his call to the ministry of word and sacrament. Upon graduating from Princeton Seminary, Chris served for three-and-a-half years as the Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults at the Germantown Presbyterian Church in Germantown, TN (a suburb of Memphis).
Chris has served the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy on several committees, as well as a teacher of Reformed Worship & Sacraments for the Presbytery's Commissioned Ruling Elder program.
Chris' doctoral thesis is entitled "Gathering at the Bath: Toward a Recovery of Baptismal Identity Through the Liturgical Practices of the Church," and explores how the regular worship life of the congregation gives form and shape to its baptismal self-understanding. Chris is an active member of the North American Academy of Liturgy. He and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy spending time with their children, following the St. Louis Cardinals, reading, and working on those never-ending home improvement projects.
Chris finds New Hope an exciting place to be because he gets to work with a congregation that simply loves being the church together.
Chris grew up in the Presbyterian Church. After college, he became the Director of Youth Ministries in his home congregation, the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church. During this time Chris discerned his call to the ministry of word and sacrament. Upon graduating from Princeton Seminary, Chris served for three-and-a-half years as the Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults at the Germantown Presbyterian Church in Germantown, TN (a suburb of Memphis).
Chris has served the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy on several committees, as well as a teacher of Reformed Worship & Sacraments for the Presbytery's Commissioned Ruling Elder program.
Chris' doctoral thesis is entitled "Gathering at the Bath: Toward a Recovery of Baptismal Identity Through the Liturgical Practices of the Church," and explores how the regular worship life of the congregation gives form and shape to its baptismal self-understanding. Chris is an active member of the North American Academy of Liturgy. He and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy spending time with their children, following the St. Louis Cardinals, reading, and working on those never-ending home improvement projects.
Chris finds New Hope an exciting place to be because he gets to work with a congregation that simply loves being the church together.
Trudi Johnson
Office Manager
Trudi became Office Manager for New Hope in May 2024. She earned a B.S.B.A. in Management and Information Systems from the University of Missouri. She worked in the field of information technology in the corporate world for about 15 years. Then in 2005, she created a preschool, Apple Tree Academy, which she operated for 19 years. In operating the preschool program, Trudi has worn every hat imaginable. She managed the finances, receiving and crediting tuition payments, overseeing payroll, and paying the bills. She has coordinated state inspections, handled personnel issues, and even cleaned bathrooms.
In her spare time, Trudi enjoys all things outdoors, sports (both playing and watching), and spending time with her fun, crazy family.
Trudi is excited to be a part of the New Hope family! If you have any questions, please stop by the church office or call and Trudi will be happy to assist!
In her spare time, Trudi enjoys all things outdoors, sports (both playing and watching), and spending time with her fun, crazy family.
Trudi is excited to be a part of the New Hope family! If you have any questions, please stop by the church office or call and Trudi will be happy to assist!
Gay Spears
Director of Music Ministries
Gay has been a church pianist, organist, choirmaster, or music director since she was about 14 years old. She loves serving God and the church through music.
Gay earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, with emphases in Piano and Choral Music from the University of Tennessee at Martin; a Master of Music with a major in Piano Performance at Arkansas State University; and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition from Memphis State University. She is an experienced college instructor, having taught music theory, music composition, or piano at Webster University, St. Louis University, and colleges in Arkansas. Her musical compositions have been performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Besides writing music and playing the piano, she enjoys attending concerts and the theater; classic films, history, genealogy, and travel.
Gay is blessed with a daughter, Katy, and son-in-law, Sam.
Gay earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, with emphases in Piano and Choral Music from the University of Tennessee at Martin; a Master of Music with a major in Piano Performance at Arkansas State University; and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition from Memphis State University. She is an experienced college instructor, having taught music theory, music composition, or piano at Webster University, St. Louis University, and colleges in Arkansas. Her musical compositions have been performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Besides writing music and playing the piano, she enjoys attending concerts and the theater; classic films, history, genealogy, and travel.
Gay is blessed with a daughter, Katy, and son-in-law, Sam.