Many Members make up New Hope

The congregation functions by encouraging and enrolling its members to honor God with their service. The people of God, the congregation, are the primary staff members of New Hope; and our members and friends serve in many ways. These highlights are examples and not meant to be exhaustive. There are two sections to this profile--we have listed some of the structures within New Hope, then the second section describes how New Hope works internationally and provides some details on Andy Simkins, Rob Eidson, and Pamela Blackburn. New Hope is a member church of the Willow Creek Association and participates in its resources and conferences.
 

First Section

Care Team -- We reach out to those whose needs we see and whose needs God enables us to meet.

Children & Youth Department Team -- Meets on a regular basis as noted in the weekly news bulletin to provide the staff and programs to direct and implement the highest quality of children's programming

Administration Team -- Helping to manage the Church Office through managing the mailing list and preparing materials to be mailed; helping in the business life of the Church through recording and maintaining appropriate financial practices; purchasing needed supplies; overseeing the basic cleaning and upkeep of our 6,000+ square feet of rental space in Palm Square Plaza in downtown Nokomis; and producing printed & worship materials for use by the congregation.

Praise & Worship Team -- Leads the congregation in Worship on a regular basis and aids in developing special emphases. This Team meets on Wednesday evenings.  Check the weekly news bulletin for specific times and contact information. Currently, (May 2010) we are searching for a person who wants to serve and is skilled in playing an electronic drum set. Call Pamela Blackburn for details-941-716-4294.

Audio Visual Team -- As a Team within the Praise and Worship Team, these people make a significant contribution in reinforcing the sounds and settings of Worship.  If you have a desire to serve in this area please contact Norm Wright-941-705-6533. We offer training in Media Shout and specific areas of sound reinforcement, as well as audio recording and duplication.

New Hope Toy Makers Team -- This group works to provide age appropriate wooden toys to not-for-profit agencies and families in Southwest Florida. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of most months 8:30 a.m. -- 11:30 a.m. This Team began in 2004. More than 350 toys were given through local social service agencies.  During the time from 2005 to 2007 the project continued and today the 2008 work is moving ahead. Two samples of these toys can be viewed at the photos and events section of our web site and one of our airplanes is pictured below. When you visit New Hope, at Palm Square, sitting on top of the bookcase areas are samples from the 2004 through the 2009 edition of the Toy Makers' handiwork. New models for Christmas 2010 are in production. To find the current meeting schedule see the weekly news bulletin section of our site. Currently, more than 400 wooden toys are ready for Christmas delivery in 2010.

New Hope Stitchers Team -- This Team meets on a varied schedule. They make dolls, bedding for doll cradles, teddy bears and such. If you sew, knit, crochet, or just cut and stuff, we need you. Check out the newest bears under the Events/Photos section of our web site and the three bears pictured below.  See the weekly news bulletin (also on this site) for the current meeting schedule and contact information. The Stitchers report, "Many new bears and dolls are almost ready to encourage children in 2010."

S.H.O.E.S. Team - Sharing Help On Every Step -- Shoes are provided to any child in need. The project occurs at the start of each school year, but is available throughout the year when funding permits. At the start of the 2003  school year we distributed gift cards for 103 children; then,148 pairs of new shoes went out in 2004. During 2005 nearly 200 of the $20 gift cards were provided; and from 2006 through 2007 we continued reaching out to the community with approximately 200+ children assisted each year. Though 2008 and 2009 proved a substantial financial challenge we were able to continue this community project and we increased the value of each card to $25. Plans are currently underway for the 2010 emphasis scheduled for August.

We support children and families  identified by Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Sun Coast and Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County. The value of these donated cards over the life of the program exceeds $24,000. Again, the 2010 emphasis is set for early August prior to the start of school. Since 2005 the Venice Kiwanis Club has shared in partnership with us to achieve the goals of this project and we are thankful for their support.

Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County -- As a congregation we support the local work of www.habitatsouthsarasota.org by serving on its Board, Committees and staff. Andrew Simkins serves as a member of the Board of Directors.

Second Section

World Vision -- New Hope actively supports the work of World Vision International by praying for and sending direct financial assistance to 10 children. While we are not the largest or strongest congregation, a total of 42 children are sponsored throughout the New Hope community. Updates their progress can be found on bulletin boards in the back of the auditorium or on Main Street. For more information about World Vision you can visit www.worldvision.org or contact our resident Child Ambassador April Wright at 941-539-1346.

Samaritan's Purse --Through Samaritan's Purse International we participate in the program called "Operation Christmas Child." Over seven years we have actively engaged as partners with Samaritan's Purse as they send millions of shoe box gifts to children in war-torn and impoverished areas of the world. Our earliest records remind us that over 220 shoe boxes were filled by New Hope in preparation for the project in 2003. The funds for the project came from the people of New Hope and contributions within the Greater Venice community. The expenses include purchasing the gifts and sending approximately $7 per box to help defray the costs of international shipping. On November 15, 2004 282 shoe boxes were sent. The 2005 and 2006 editions finished with over 380 shoe boxes in support of Operation Christmas Child. The shoe box count for 2007 was over 500. As noted above the 2008 and 2009 time frames were financially challenging. However, we are in the planning stages to support Operation Christmas Child again in 2010 and plan to continue this vital endeavor.

 

Andrew Simkins leads New Hope, serving the congregation as pastor. Since 1996, and New Hope's Grand Opening in 1997, Andy and Nancy Simkins have lived in the Greater Venice area, working on the details and vision of seeing New Hope established. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, D. Min. Lincoln Christian Seminary, M. Div. Atlanta Christian College, B.A.
	Rob Eidson serves New Hope as the minister of Youth.  Rob and his wife Julie are the parents of Taylor, Bryce, and Riley.  They are dedicated to our youth and their spiritual development.
Pamela Blackburn is the Minister of Music for New Hope. Pam's primary mission is leading the congregation in its many forms of worship, primarily through her musical gifts and skills. Keyboard and piano Praise & Worship Team Leader Soloist

Partnership & Team Ministry

We encourage people to serve

We encourage people to do what they do best

We pray and encourage these people as they serve alongside us