Hope Lutheran Through the Years
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Partial History
PASTORS THAT HAVE SERVED HOPE:
Pastor David Natwick
Pastor Robert Blacka
Pastor Henry Westby
Pastor Daryl Bjerke
Pastor Louis Smith
Pastor Edgar Behrens
Pastor Gary Wilkerson
Pastor James Pollard
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
INTERNS THAT HAVE SERVED HOPE:
Said Ailabouni
Ed McGee
Bob Kingsbury
Robert Dew
Jay Egenes
GROWTH WITH HOPE
There were approximately 85 baptized Charter Members of Hope Lutheran.
In February 1991 there were 596 baptized members.
Today there are 912 baptized members.
THROUGH THE YEARS
1960
June
Pastor David Natwick and family arrived
August First service held at Young’s (Fairway) Café.
1961
February
Organizational meeting.
June
Groundbreaking service.
December
First service held in Sanctuary.
1962
February
Dedication of Church and Educational Room.
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.
Pastor Henry Westby served as
Interim Pastor until April 1968.
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 Room
Opened Hope Lutheran Preschool.
1973
April
Hope Lutheran Refinanced – no longer a Mission Congregation.
September
Established two services.
Early service is Contemporary.
November
Established Lutheran Mobility Ministry of the Desert led by Pastor Behrens.
1974
June
Remodeled Pastor’s Office, Library and Secretary’s Office.
July
Installed complete new air conditioning and heating unit for Church, Kitchen and Office Area.
November
Participated in the United Missions Appeal
raising $10,000 thru April 1975.
1975
July
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
Said Ailabouni, our first Intern, arrived with wife Helen.
1978
July
Ed McGee became our second Intern arriving with wife Sue.
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 Pastor until October.
October
Pastor Timothy Johnsen installed as Pastor.
1987
December
Hand Bells arrived
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
1994
June
Pastor Carl R. Witt, Jr. installed as Senior Pastor
1997
Four homes on Fairway Drive purchased,
parking lot expansion completed.
1999
January
Congregational Meeting votes to construct the
new Worship Center.
November Groundbreaking Ceremonies for the
new Worship Center
2001
February
Pastor Cheryl Corneliussen installed as
Pastor of Education & Youth.
2002
February
Dedication of the new Worship Center.
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 Fossey installed as
Youth, Education & Stephen Ministry Pastor
2009
September
Pastor Jim Pollard installed as
Visitation Pastor