Leadership

Elders and the Session

As a member church of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Hope Church is governed by a council of elders called by the church's members. Known as the Session, this group includes our pastors, or "teaching elders," and ordained members elected by the congregation, or "ruling elders." Elders are ordained for life but serve fixed terms on the Session.

The job of the elders is to represent the mind of Christ to the people of God's church. The first jobs of the elders are prayer and the ministry of the Word. In addition to this they are to serve as examples of God-honoring lives before this congregation, their families and the world. Our elders lead the church through service in its various areas of ministry--general and financial management of the church and through caring for the spiritual needs of the individuals whom God has called to be a part of Hope. Normally they meet on the second Monday of every month. Meetings always begin with an extended time of prayer for the needs of the congregation.

The current list of elders and their contact information is listed below. For further information, email Pastor Tom Masterson about the Session.

 

 

Jim Harris

Jim Harris earned an accounting degree from The University of San Francisco.  Jim is currently Group Senior Vice President in Appraisal Administration at Wachovia. He and his wife Linda have been married for 37 years and have 6 grandchildren.  Jim has a passion for prayer and service and loves to fish and golf.

Email Jim

Rex Hidle

Rex came to San Antonio in 1989 from his hometown of Fort Worth, TX.  He attained his Bachelors degree from Texas State University (Southwest Texas State University) and has held positions in engineering, operations, sales & marketing and business development.  Rex and his wife have two daughters, who began attending Hope Church in February 2001, becoming members in 2002.  Rex has a heart for service, serving on the worship and setup teams, and has taken on the task of leading the church's property and building development initiatives.  He also performs volunteer activities with several other non profit organizations.

Email Mark

Paul Matchett

Paul is a native Texan, born in Andrews in west Texas.  Paul's family moved to the Houston area when he was three, where he lived until he went to college.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Texas A&M University and has worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 1990.   Paul met his wife Jackie, also a native Texan, in college.  After graduation Paul and Jackie spent most of their time in Corpus Christi, and Houston.   In San Antonio since 2003 they are blessed with son Aaron and daughter Emily Ann.  Paul enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and riding his Harley.  His spare time is filled with whatever activity his children are involved in at the moment.  Besides enjoying time with his family, Paul is working on the completion of a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies through Covenant Seminary in St. Louis. Paul loves the "real" atmosphere at Hope Church,and says, "it's a place to serve and not just enjoy the show."

Email Paul

Mark True

Mark True was born in Savannah, Georgia, but lived throughout the United States, moving every 4-5 years due to his father's job.  Mark attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where he met his beloved wife Lois.  They met as cadets singing in the choir.  Mark received his BS in Electrical Engineering there, and later, received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland.  He and Lois were married in 1991, and have 3 children; Calvin, Zachary and Wesley.  They have lived in Colorado, Arizona, California, Washington D.C. and San Antonio, hoping to make this their permanent home.  Mark spent four months in Iraq, where along with serving as a doctor, he played guitar in chapel.  He currently serves as an active duty Air Force physician (endocrinologist) at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB.  He and his family have been members of Hope Church since 2003, where Mark has served on the worship team, children's ministry and pastoral search committee.  He enjoys sports, reading, traveling and family time.  What does he love about Hope Church?  "The genuine atmosphere without pretense---and of course, the music!"

Email Mark

Brad Smith

Brad Smith is originally from Livonia, Michigan but, as the only non-Texas born child in his family, has honorary Native Texan status.  He has been a government auditor, a graduate student, a college professor and now serves as a "data wrangler" for a firm which does health care research on governmental contracts.  Brad met his wife, Sheryl, in high school, dated for a while, then didn't date for a while, and then providentially came to his senses and married her in 1992.  They are parents to four kids, Maddy, Eli, Mairi and Isaiah.  He and his family have been members of Hope Church since 2007.  He is active as a teacher in Hope for Kids, Hope Church's children's ministry program, and enjoys playing guitar on the worship team.