History
2002
After the loss of their second child by miscarriage, God placed in Pastors Bobby and Lisa's hearts the desire to give birth to a baby church. It was from here that Pastor Bobby and his family founded Hope Assembly of God Church in La Vernia, Texas, and God strategically brought together a team committed to developing and growing a church. In August 2002, Hope Church began in a home with 17 people in attendance.
2003
On January 5, 2003, Hope held its first public worship service in the La Vernia Primary School and celebrated with the official dedication of the church on March 30, 2003. After that, Hope purchased acreage at the corner of Hwy 87 and FM 1346 and continued to meet at the La Vernia Primary School, growing steadily from year to year.
2008
In December 2008, Hope purchased additional property and buildings formerly owned by Parker Lumber at the corner of W. Chihuahua and Nicholson, as well as an adjacent home to serve as Hope’s new offices. With a team of extraordinary volunteers and contractors, the former Parker Lumber building and the office were transformed in record time to become Hope Church’s new home.
2009
After opening the doors in January 2009, Hope continued to grow and improve on the existing property, and in October Hope sold the original acreage on Hwy 87 to newcomer to the community H.E.B. This considerable step in the life of the church allowed Hope to give a generous donation to each of the Local, U.S. and World Missionaries supported by Hope.
2011
On January 23, 2011, out of a desire to further impact our geographic region for the Kingdom of God, Hope New Braunfels launched as a video satellite campus. Additionally, several La Vernia families graciously committed their time and talents to serve in New Braunfels across all areas of ministry. Many new families were added to Hope in the New Braunfels community.
2012
Throughout 2012, the sanctuary was expanded, and other renovations were completed to bring us to our present facilities. In September 2012 the New Braunfels Campus came to an end. A new church to be led by Hope’s precious friends and former Worship Pastors David and Aimee Sanchez was to be planted in its place as Real Life Community Church.
2014
In July 2014 a regional circuit endeavor called Brush Country Ministries (BCM) was formed. The goal of BCM was to establish preaching points in rural South Texas cities such as Cotulla, Carrizo Springs, Uvalde, Quemado, and Dilley, equip indigenous leaders for ministry, and plant churches in the region with trained pastors, leaders, and teams.
2017
In October 2017, a discipleship program that had long been on Pastors Bobby and Lisa’s hearts to offer was finally launched at Hope Church. Royal Rangers and Girls Ministries clubs were incorporated into the life of the church, providing gender-based discipleship combined with practical life skills for all students.
2020
At the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Hope incorporated creative approaches to ministry. For instance, Hope offered Drive-In Church for several months to allow families to “gather” even if in separate cars in the parking lot with the service fed through the radio and live streamed on Facebook. Additionally, a weekday devotional, “We’re Burning Daylight” aired on both Facebook and YouTube to provide additional biblical teaching.
2022
In August 2022 Hope finalized the purchase of the adjacent property on Chihuahua St. with work already in progress to develop what is potentially a marketplace ministry by opening a coffee shop and eatery. The vision is a place of community where conversations, relationships and discipleship are happening beyond the church building walls.
AND ON
Hope remains faithful to partner with 50+ local, U.S. and World Missionaries and missions organizations in order that Jesus may be worshiped by all who would answer His call to follow Him. And throughout the years, individuals and teams from Hope have served as unto the Lord across Texas, the U.S. and around the world in Kenya, Nicaragua, Belize, Haiti, Jamaica, Philippines, Egypt, Ethiopia, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Tajikistan, and Turkey.
Additionally, we celebrate with Hope family members who are now in ministry near and far, serving as lead, associate and worship pastors, church planters, college campus and world missionaries, lay leaders and marketplace ambassadors for Christ. As we move into the future, we stay focused on both The Great Commandment to love God and others, and The Great Commission to go and make disciples. Hope Church is a community of Spirit-filled, Bible adhering, soul winning, enduring followers of Jesus, and our vision advances to reach and equip people for successful Spirit-filled Christian living.