HOPE LUTHERAN
Through the Years
PASTORS THAT HAVE SERVED HOPE:
Pastor David Natwick
Pastor Robert Blacka
Pastor Henry Westby*
Pastor Daryl Bjerke
Pastor Louis Smith
Pastor Gary Wilkerson
Pastor Leon Holm*
Pastor Myrus Knutson*
Pastor Timothy Johnsen
Pastor David Kieffer
Pastor Robert Collick*
Pastor Carl Witt, Jr.
Pastor Cheryl Corneliussen Pastor Derek Fossey
Pastor James Pollard
* indicates interim pastor
INTERNS THAT HAVE SERVED HOPE:
Said Ailabouni
Ed McGee
Bob Kingsbury
Birchell Robert Dew
Jay Egenes
GROWING WITH HOPE
There were approximately 85 baptized Charter Members of Hope Lutheran.
Today there are 997 baptized members.
1960
June
Pastor David Natwick and family arrived
as mission developer for
the American Lutheran Church.
August
First service held at
Young’s (Fairway) Café.
1961
February
Organizational meeting.
June
Groundbreaking service for original Sanctuary.
December
First service held in Sanctuary.
1962
February
Dedication of Church,
Multipurpose Room and Offices.
1963
May
Pastor Natwick resigned to accept call in
Hutchinson, Minnesota.
1964
January
Pastor Robert Blacka accepted call to serve.
June
Work began constructing Overflow Rooms.
1967
September
Construction of Narthex and pews installed.
November Pastor Blacka preached farewell sermon.
Interim Pastor Henry Westby arrives.
1968
July
Pastor Daryl Bjerke installed as Pastor.
1970
July
Palm Desert Teen Center opened in Hope Lutheran Education Wing.
1971
February
Celebrated 10th Anniversary
September
Dedication of the Carillon.
1972
November
Dedication of Pam Manor Memorial Classroom
Opened Hope Lutheran Preschool.
1973
April
Hope Lutheran Refinanced –
no longer a Mission Congregation.
September
Established two worship services.
Early service is Contemporary.
November
Established Lutheran Mobility Ministry of the Desert led by Rev. Edgar Behrens.
1974
June
Remodeled Pastor’s Office, Library and Secretary’s Office.
July
Installed new air conditioning and heating unit for Church, Kitchen and Office Area.
November
Participated in the United Missions Appeal
raising $10,000 for ALC.
Employed Chuck Carlson as
part-time Youth and Music Director.
1976 February
Celebrated 15th Anniversary.
October
Began discussion about building a
Fellowship Hall.
1977 February
Youth Director Chuck Carlson resigned.
July
Our first Intern Said Ailabouni arrived.
1978
July
Ed McGee became our second Intern.
1979
January
Construction of four new Sunday School and Preschool Rooms began.
August
Bob Kingsbury became our third Intern.
October
Dedication of new Classrooms.
1980
February
Pastor Louis Smith is called to be
Associate Pastor.
July
Parking Lot is dedicated.
1981
February
Celebrated 20th Anniversary.
1983
March
Associate Pastor Louis Smith retired.
1984
May
Chancel remodeled and red carpet
installed in the Sanctuary.
1985
September
Pastor Gary Wilkerson installed as
Minister of Worship.
Pastor Leon Holm installed as
Minister of Bible Studies and Visitation.
October
Pastor James Pollard joined congregation and contributed to the ministry.
1986 May
Pastor Daryl Bjerke resigned.
Pastor Myrus Knutson served as Interim.
October Pastor Timothy Johnsen installed as Pastor.
1987
December
Hand Bell Choir formed.
1988
October
Three Worship Services began.
Pastor David Kieffer installed as Associate Pastor.
Mobile Unit is dedicated.
1989
January
Fundraising plan began for
Building Fund Drive for Fellowship Hall.
April
Celebration Sunday service held in tent to launch Building Fund Drive.
November
Groundbreaking for Fellowship Hall.
1990
February
Contract signed for 7,200 sq. ft. Fellowship Hall.
July
Rogers Organ installed and dedicated.
1991
February
Dedication of Fellowship Hall.
Dedication of Baby Grand Piano in memory of Dr. Carroll Lund.
Celebrated 30th Anniversary.
Pastor Robert Collick installed as Visitation Pastor
1993
June
Timothy Johnsen resigns due to illness.
1994
June
Pastor Carl R. Witt, Jr. installed as Senior Pastor
September
Pastor David Kieffer resigns.
1997
Four homes on Fairway Drive purchased and
parking lot expansion completed.
1999
January
Congregational Meeting votes to construct the
new Worship Center.
April
Began "Building Hope for the Future" campaign.
November Groundbreaking Ceremonies for the
new Worship Center.
2001
February
Pastor Cheryl Corneliussen installed as
Pastor of Education & Youth.
December
Christmas Eve candelight services end in
New Worship Center.
2002
February
Dedication of the new Worship Center.
April
Began "You Gotta Have Hope" campaign.
2005
April
Began "Growing with Gratitude" campaign.
2007
September
Intern Jay Egenes arrives.
November
Pastor Cheryl Corneliussen
accepts call as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Stockton, California.
2008
August
Intern Jay Egenes leaves.
September
Pastor Derek B. Fossey installed as Pastor.
2009
March
Robert Woehrmann Fountain
and Memorial Plaza dedicated.
May
Pastor Robert O. Collick
resigns as Visitation Pastor.
September
Pastor Jim Pollard
installed as Visitation Pastor.
2010
Febuary
Dedicated new pipes for the
Rogers Digital Pipe Organ.
March
Pastor Robert O. Collick
named Pastor Emeritus.