Our Staff
Rev. Stephen M. Norden, Senior Pastor
Rev. Stephen M. Norden is the founding pastor of New Hope Church. New Hope held its first worship service on September 16, 1984. He is a graduate of Hope College and received his Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary, both in Holland, MI. Steve and his wife, Jean, have three sons and two grandsons: Billy, who with his wife Mara co-pastors The Community, a ministry of the Reformed Church in America in Ada, MI, and their sons Berend (“Bear”) and Arie; Charlie, who is a customer service representative for Universal Forest Products International in Columbus, OH, and husband to Susan; and Pieter, who is working toward a Ph.D. in genetics at the University of Missouri. Steve serves as a volunteer chaplain for the Dublin Division of Police, and as the voice of Dublin Scioto Irish football.
Rev. Sarah Palsma, Associate Pastor
Rev. Sarah Palsma is New Hope’s Associate Pastor, with specific responsibility for Adult Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, and helping volunteers find a place to serve at New Hope. She is a native of Syracuse, NY, a graduate of Northwestern College in Orange City, IA with a B.A. in History and Religion, and she received her Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. Sarah also has a keen interest in music and theater.
Bob Cline, Director of Youth Ministry
Bob Cline has always been involved in counseling, mentoring, and teaching youth. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in Bible studies at Cedarville College. He also has a master’s degree in Talent Development at Ashland University. Bob, who has worked as a summer camp counselor for six years, started the Fellowship of Christian Athletes group at Malone College and at a local middle school. He teaches seventh-grade science at a Dublin area middle school. He has coached track and cross-country, and is a ski club chaperone. He and his wife Amna have four children, Travis, Ryan, Alyssa, and Aaron.
Nancy Green, Office Administrator
Nancy Green has an extensive administrative and secretarial background in the legal field. Her work on the phone, with the mail, our databases, our church publications, and all her behind-the-scenes efforts keep our ship running smoothly. She and her husband, Tim, have three children.
Gail Headlee, Communications Coordinator
Gail Headlee serves as New Hope’s webmaster, newsletter editor, and publications coordinator. She has a background in marketing, administration, and education, and has worked in industries ranging from telecommunications to market research to health care.
Christine Loy, Director of Music Ministry
Christine Loy has led worship and directed choirs in churches across the country for over twenty years. Her passion for the Lord is contagious and fuels her desire for authentic congregational worship. Answering God’s call at a young age, Christine started leading worship and sharing her gift of music as a teenager in Southern California. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from California State University at Northridge. She has done extensive solo and choral work over the years with Centenary Worship Orchestra, Northridge Singers, Nashville Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and special events with Donna Summer. She spent several years on faculty at Centenary School of Music as well as her own private voice and piano studio. Prior to serving at New Hope, Christine served as Pastor of Worship and Music at Apostles Anglican Church and Music Associate at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lexington, KY. Christine now lives in Powell with her husband, Bryan, and their children Nick and Emily.
Holly McDonald, Accompanist
Holly McDonald provides the organ and piano music at all of our services, social events, weddings, and funerals, and directs the handbell choir. She also accompanies church children and adults with their vocal and instrumental music. She graduated from Ohio State with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 1999. She teaches piano lessons at the church and at studios in Grandview and Westerville.
Sandy Moberger, Church Administrator
Sandy Moberger has held many volunteer roles at New Hope over the years, and now serves as our Church Administrator. As Church Administrator, Sandy is responsible for managing the daily activities of the church, including facilities, staff, and finance. She has also served as a board member of New Hope Preschool, a Sunday School teacher, a choir member, a children’s worship leader, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, a founder of the New Hope Endowment Fund, and a church Deacon. Prior to becoming Church Administrator, Sandy owned and operated her own flooring business.
Lesly Moreno, Custodian
Contact Lesly via the church office
Lesly Moreno serves as New Hope’s custodian, responsible for daily maintenance of the church building and property. Always ready with a smile, Lesly and her crew are the ones who make sure everything is set up as requested for church events and meetings, as well as cleaning up afterwards.
Brooke Morris, Director of Children’s Ministry
Brooke Morris directs New Hope’s Children’s Ministry and its many activities. A long-time member of New Hope Church and a former elementary and middle school teacher with South-Western City Schools and Dublin City Schools, Brooke combines her teaching experience with her passion for New Hope and the ministry of its children. Brooke, her husband Mark, and their three children live in Dublin.
Lynn Riley, New Hope Preschool Director
Lynn Riley is the director of New Hope Preschool, an outreach ministry of New Hope Church. New Hope Preschool is a Christian-based preschool program for children 2.5, 3, 4, and 5 years old, including Pre-Kindergarten Classes and Kindergarten Enrichment Programs for students in the Olentangy Local School District.
Lara Valentine, Children’s Choir Director
Lara Valentine directs our Kindergarten through 5th Grade Kids WOW Choir. Lara is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Music and has been teaching music in the Dublin schools for the last nine years. She has won numerous awards for her musical and teaching excellence. She adores making music with kids and has a passion for making Jesus real to our children through music!
