Our team is listed in alphabetical order. Click on the thumbnail images to read more about each staff member.
Our team is listed in alphabetical order. Click on the thumbnail images to read more about each staff member.
Stu is grateful for the privilege to serve as New Hope's associate pastor, overseeing pastoral care, the Board of Deacons and the Stephen Ministry. Stu has served at the University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI, Gashland Presbyterian in Kansas City, MO and has served in Fort Myers since November of 2002. Stu is a graduate of Boston College and he and his wife Ethelanne are both graduates of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Stu also has an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Arlington and was a commissioned officer with U.S. Navy, serving as a Chaplain. He has a love for adventure such as white water kayaking, scuba diving, sky diving, motorcycle riding and mountain climbing. Stu’s most memorable experience was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with his son Sean. However, his most thrilling experience is seeing men and women come to a saving knowledge of the love and forgiveness offered by Jesus.
Benjamin Ball is the Director of Traditional Music and Organist at New Hope Presbyterian Church. In addition to planning traditional worship services, he directs the adult Sanctuary Choir, the Rejoice! Children’s Choir), the Kingdom Ringers Children’s Chime-Bell Choir (grades 3 through 5), and co-directs the adult handbell choir with his wife, Kathryn. Additionally, he directs the children’s musicals, works with the preschool children to teach them Bible songs and the basics of rhythm through color-coded handchimes, and is working towards establishing an Orff percussion ensemble for early elementary grades and will be working to formulate a youth choir and bell program over the next several years. He has served churches in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia before coming to Fort Myers.
Ben earned a Master of Music degree in church music (with a dual major emphasis in organ performance and choral conducting) from Shenandoah University—Conservatory of Music—in Winchester, Virginia, where he studied organ with Dr. Steven Cooksey and was a recipient of the Cooksey-Parker Excellence in Organ Award. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in church music from Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia. While he was still a student in high school, he studied voice with Dr. Melissa Sumner, and participated in opera and opera-theatre performances at both the University of Virginia and Mary Baldwin College. As a vocal soloist, he has sung the bass-baritone solos for many large choral oratorios and festival works for both community and semi-professional choirs. During graduate school, he studied voice performance under tenor Michael Forest of the Metropolitan Opera. He has a special interest in the German art songs (Lieder) of Franz Schubert.
In addition to his church duties, he teaches private music lessons (piano, voice, organ, and music theory). Previously, he served as an instructor of music at Mr. Music Store (Fort Myers, Florida), Saint James College Preparatory School (Hagerstown, Maryland), Cumberland Valley School of Music (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), Valley Music Academy (Waynesboro, Virginia), and in his own private teaching studio. He serves as editor-publisher of the monthly newsletter of the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Ben completed studies towards professional piano tuning/technician certification to both finely develop his musical ear and just simply as a relaxing hobby. Active as a composer, he has written and/or arranged pieces which span a large spectrum of needs within the church music community. These include, but are not limited to: collections of short choral responses, hymns, works for solo organ, handbells, and full (“stand-alone”) anthems for both large and small choirs at various levels of ability. He and his wife, Kathryn (also a degreed church musician), have two daughters. In his spare time, Ben enjoys spending time with his family, reading, woodworking and gardening...and going to the beach!
Mandy Carter, originally from TN, is our Publisher. She works on the Advance, eNews, brochures and special event publications. She is a local journalist and professional blogger – you will see her stories in Lee Family News, Florida based Magazines and various family websites. Mandy has two children, ages 4 and 7.
Jim began serving students and families at New Hope in February of 2013. Jim and his wife, Stephanie, along with their two young children, Rebecca and Matthew, love living in Florida and are proud to be a part of New Hope. Jim and Stephanie are both graduates of Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, where Jim studied Christian Education. Jim has led student ministries for more than 10 years in Pennsylvania and Florida.
Jim enjoys youth group as much as the students do. He loves to have fun and adds humor and energy to our student ministry. Jim is thankful that his job includes leading trips, cheering students at sports games, or giving a listening ear to a hurting parent or teen. More than anything, Jim wants to see students fall in love with Jesus and His Word. He’s convinced that adolescence is the most critical stage in life; a season of incredible physical, emotional social and spiritual development. Every week, Jim gets to work alongside awesome adult leaders to help boys and girls become young men and women who love God with their whole heart and serve others.
Angel Dobson, a North Carolina native, is our Office Receptionist. She does general clerical, administrative, and ELI tasks. Angel and her husband, Brad, have been in ministry 20+ years. Brad is the Director of Worship Arts at Cape Coral First UMC and Angel also teaches private voice lessons. Together they have three children, ages 14, 12 and 9.
Shawn Gearhart has been doing website work, graphic design, and custom logo creation since the late 1990s for various churches and for businesses through his own company, IdeaBug, Inc. He and his wife, Rosie, moved to Fort Myers from Michigan at the end of 2012, and Shawn has thoroughly enjoyed not being cold anymore. They have three daughters who keep Rosie busy with homeschooling them and breaking up "chick fights". Shawn and Rosie are also both accomplished professional photographers. Shawn often spends New Hope's contemporary services tricking people into thinking he knows how to play the drums. The girls can often be seen singing in various choirs and musicals at New Hope.
The Gearhart family spends their free time reading quality literature, playing games together, singing, putting on loud music and dancing like goofballs, and enjoying sunsets on the beach. Shawn has grown quite accustomed to the eye rolls he regularly receives from his daughters in response to his self-proclaimed "funny" dad jokes. But really, they are funny. For real.
In the hope to spread God's Kingdom wherever he is, Shawn tries to live by the motto of "Life is about making other people's lives better" and hopes to impart this to his daughters and anyone he has the privilege of running into during life.
We are thankful to have Ed in charge of our facilities at New Hope. He's a long time native of Cape Coral; he and Celeste are happily married and have three grown children and four grandchildren. He serves with the puppet ministry at McGregor Baptist and has helped with their preschool for many years. He is also an avid gardener! His humble spirit and gentle heart are a pleasure to have on our staff.
Kevin holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in Music/Music Business and Management from Old Dominion University. He also studied music at Shenadoah Conservatory of Music and other colleges. He moved with his family to Fort Myers in the summer of 2013 from Tennessee where he was the Assistant Music Director and Contemporary Worship leader for his church. He is also a past television producer/writer/on-air personality for networks including TNN, ESPN and Speed channel, is still involved in television and is a published author.
He married Danielle, a certified personal and fitness trainer, in 1992, and they have three children; twins Kailee and Kasside and their son Keaton who love being a part of youth programs and worship! His entire family has musical gifts and they have shared them in worships and other programs whenever possible. A former touring musician and musical director for U.S.O. Celebrity Tours, Kevin has a passion for music in worship which began for him as a teenager. He also enjoys working with youth and musicians of all ages who have a desire but maybe not the experience, yet, to be a part of a worship group. He believes that there are people with God given musical gifts who may not have been offered the right opportunities to nurture and share those talents and that it is an important mission to seek them out and help them grow. Kevin’s musical skills include writing and arranging music as well as being a vocalist, guitarist, pianist, bass player and percussionist.
Daniel is absolutely floored that he gets to do his dream job every day! He has a passion for connecting people with their role in God's ever-expanding kingdom and finding their place in a global church. Daniel will join our New Hope family in August of 2017. He has worked with at-risk youth and in International Christian schools overseas.
Daniel met his wife, Victoria, while they were both attending Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. They were married in 2010 and have since added two boys and a Wheaton Terrier that keep them VERY busy! Daniel enjoys traveling, reading, connecting with people over coffee, playing nerdy board games, going on family walks and doing all the voices during story time. Daniel traveled to 19 countries on his last passport and is actively trying to top it!
Debbie Norris has served this church family since 1996—enough time to see God work in the lives of the children and adults who are regularly involved in ministry. It is an incredible privilege to see kids put their faith in Jesus and to see people of all ages grow as they step out in faith to serve. Her desire is that all children can be "world changers" as they live out an everyday faith in Jesus.
Her formal education includes interior design and early childhood degrees from FSU and FGCU, but nothing compares to the life experience of learning to follow Jesus. Family includes husband, Lee who owns a real estate appraisal firm, their 20-something daughters: Jessica who graduated college and works in advertising in NYC, and Stephanie who is in college studying health care. As a family, their favorite pastimes include family movie nights, dinner for the girls’ friends, Escape Rooms, travel, and celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Debbie is often running around on Sundays but would dearly love the opportunity to get together with you over coffee at Menchie’s or Starbucks. She loves people and would enjoy helping you connect with this awesome church family at New Hope.
Michelle joined the New Hope staff in 2016 as the Connections Coordinator and is excited to serve God in this capacity. She is passionate about loving people, spending time getting to know others, and supporting them in discovering their place in our church family. Helping people recognize their spiritual gifts and how their unique personalities can draw others to Christ is something Michelle loves to facilitate.
Michelle attended Palm Beach Atlantic University, taught elementary school for several years, and has also worked as a freelance writer for several publications. First arriving at New Hope via the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) program in 2009, Michelle eventually became the coordinator and loved working with moms and their families. She continues to frequently speak to Mom's Groups and women about parenting and family topics.
Married to Mark, they share a desire to help families thrive and experience spiritual growth through involvement with the local church. Along with their 4 children: Olivia, Griffin, Ainsley & Adelynn, they enjoy serving in local mission & service projects, family vacations, and cheering on the Florida Gators!
Kathy and her husband Jon have lived in Fort Myers since 2000, moving here from their home in Michigan. Having never had children, they have always had a couple of miniature schnauzers that are their babies and keep them busy! Also with boating, biking, travel, cooking, study, and spending time with friends and at church, her life is blessed.
She has owned an insurance agency for 35 years, retiring just recently. She has always been involved in the community through various charities she has supported throughout her career. Kathy has been with New Hope since its inception, serving as an Elder during the process. In addition to serving on the Session of Elders, Kathy has also been involved in hospitality, greeting, ushering, Circles of Friendship, Apples of Gold, various NHP events, Women in Ministry, and teaching Bible studies. Her greatest love has been serving as a leader in the Stephen Ministry; helping walk alongside people who are hurting, and going through difficult times.
Because Kathy has a background in business administration, that is where she excels and feels best equipped to serve the church. Kathy currently assists with new software management, organization, training, general budgets, and office efficiency. However, saying that, she always has her ears open for anyone with troubles, or to just offer a warm welcome to anyone to the New Hope family. Kathy is thankful to be part of this wonderful church community family!
When Pam is not working she relaxes by reading, cooking and watching sports with her husband Paul. Paul and Pam met at Ohio State about 30 years ago and they love cheering on the Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Reds each season. They have one son Eric who attends Wagner College, Staten Island NY. They enjoy visiting him, watching him play on the Wagner Mens College Tennis Team, and trying new restaurants in NYC.
Eddie has served as Pastor of New Hope since April 2013. Eddie and his wife, Roxanne, arrived in Fort Myers from their previous ministries in Gastonia, NC and Lakeland, FL with an unwavering desire to love and serve those people whom God places along their path.
Eddie received a Bachelor degree from Erskine College followed by a Master of Theology degree in 1989 from Erskine Seminary. He continues to be an avid student of God’s Word and reformed thought. He is a gifted teacher and preacher focusing messages from the Scriptures on evangelism, discipleship, and a living a life with Jesus Christ. Eddie and Roxanne have three children: Robert, Andrew (and his wife Olivia), and Rachel. He is passionate about golf, basketball, and reading. Light-hearted fun follows him as does a smile and warm handshake.
Eddie’s blog page can be found at: Kingdom Calling
Brad joined the staff of New Hope in January 2013. He has a BA in Music and a BS in Bible from Philadelphia College of Bible (Cairn University) and a MRE in Christian education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. Since seminary, Brad has owned 2 businesses and served in various capacities with 3 other congregations.
Brad and his wife, Darlene, have been Florida residents since 1995. They have 2 grown children and one fluffy cat. In addition to working with the church’s finances, he enjoys teaching Sunday adult classes, Wednesday evening financial classes, substituting when needed at the organ for traditional worship, and on occasion taking a long walk on the beach.
