Our Elders

TIm PETERSON

It is a privilege to even be considered to serve God and Church of Hope in the capacity of eldership. This is not something I take lightly and pray God would continue to teach me in His ways that I might lead in a manner pleasing and glorifying to Him.

My wife Dia and I have been married for 48 years, and I thank God for her and her commitment to Jesus Christ. We do not have any children of our own, however there is seldom a day that passes without various neighbor kids in our home for one reason or another. My wife also teaches piano to mostly young beginners, and it is always a blessing to hear and see them play. It has also been a wonderful opportunity for her to share her faith with those she teaches and with their parents.

Dia and I currently live in south Minneapolis and are relatively new to Church of Hope. Prior to coming to Church of Hope, we attended a church in the cities for 26 years. We were also on the mission field for almost 8 years in southern Mexico, in the state of Oaxaca. We had the privilege of working with local pastors there, ministering in the villages and in the cities where we lives. Although this was one of the most difficult times of our lives, it was also filled with many blessings and relationships that we still have today.

I also worked in education for over 40 years at a technical college here in the Twin Cities, Brown Institute/College. I retired in 2015 from Brown, however I am still active in education, serving as a consultant in the accreditation process for colleges and universities in the US.

I love being outdoors, doing most anything such as biking, kayaking, or just walking around the lakes here in south Minneapolis. I also enjoy gardening and seeing just how hot of a chili pepper I can grow each year.

I look forward to seeing what God is going to do at Church of Hope in these days. We all have a responsibility as ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), ones who act as a representatives of Him who has sent us to bring the gospel to our families and communities. “Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my God, shouldst die for me.”

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

lucas johnson

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as an elder for Church of Hope but more importantly for Christ and His church. 

I have been a part of CoH since it’s genesis in 2006. My beautiful wife (Rebekah) and I met through the youth group at CoH.

Rebekah and I got married in 2020 and are expecting our first child this summer (2023). We live in Oak Grove on the Rum River and enjoy watching all of God’s wildlife in His creation. Rebekah and I get to serve as youth leaders in the same youth group where we met.

I accepted Christ at a young age, but didn’t fully understand the impact of what that meant until the Lord grabbed my heart through a tragic event on a snowy Montana mountain road on May 17th, 2017. 

God recalibrated my compass to Himself through that tragic event and His Word guides my life. I’m still a sinner in need of His grace and mercy, but what a joy it is to serve Jesus everyday. 

I’m self employed (Creation Management LLC) and get to be out in God’s creation everyday for work. 

Church of Hope has affected my life in more ways than I can describe, so being able to serve the Church is a privilege. 

I’m looking forward to seeing what our great God will do through his Church as we obey and follow His will by studying the Word and putting it into practice. 

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

JOE SWENSON

My wife Jan and I have been a part of Church of Hope since within a few weeks of its inception in 2006. We count it a privilege to be a part of this congregation and even more so to serve the church body.

We have been married for 44 years and are blessed by two sons and two amazing daughters-in-law, all of whom love and serve Jesus. We also are blessed to have seven grandchildren.

Both of us are now retired and we enjoy traveling and being able to spend more time with our family and friends. I have a love for the outdoors and look forward to spending time fishing, boating, hiking and hunting with family and friends.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 14 years old at a church service and, to me, that reflects how important our church body is to the life of those who attend and also to the community in which we live and serve. God has called us to serve and to be missionaries wherever He puts us.

In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul asks for prayer from the believers that God would give him the words to speak and that he will speak fearlessly to make known the gospel. In 1 Peter 3:15, Paul tells Peter to be prepared to give a reason for the hope he has. This should be in the heart of every believer who has trusted Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior.

One other passion I have is for the local church family. It is a place of connection that every follower of Christ needs. Proverbs 27:17 tells us that “Iron sharpens iron.” What better place than with a body of believers who care for you. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us the importance of meeting together regularly for the encouragement we all need.

And so we serve just as the example Jesus gave us in Mark 10:45 and that Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

I look forward to getting to know you and to pray for and with you.