At our last North Central District Conference’s business session in April, Living Hope Church was voted to affiliate with the EFCA and officially joined the NCD family. We praise God for what He has done in and through Living Hope Church and are excited to share a bit about the Church’s history, ministry, and people. We are excited to have them be a part of the NCD family and to see how God continues to move in the months and years to come.
A Key Phrase: Treasure Christ and Make Disciples of Jesus.
Where: Living Hope Church meets at Maple Grove Middle School, 7000 Hemlock Ln N Maple Grove.
How it started:
About three years ago, a small group of people began to ask the question of what it would look like for a local church to live as a family of faith, to treasure Christ and make disciples of Jesus. It was from that question, strengthened by God’s grace, that Living Hope Church was formed in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis. We prayed and labored to plant a church where those who gather may see and grow in treasuring Christ and, by God’s grace, where disciples of Jesus are made and matured. From the worship gatherings to missional communities to interpersonal relationships, we long for God to grow us in our values of Word, Worship, Community, and Mission.
Over the years, we, the founding members gathered in a home, a Pizza Ranch, and finally, a middle school where we covenanted together and began to follow Jesus in all of life. On Easter Sunday of 2022, Living Hope Church was launched to the glory of God. When people ask about the purpose of Living Hope Church, we say, “We exist to glorify God through a community that treasures Christ.” Our vision is to see a healthy, growing, and multiplying church community in and for the Northwest suburbs and for the nations that make disciples of Jesus.
How It’s Going:
By the grace of God, Living Hope Church is seeing the church community grow in both number and in Word, worship, community, and mission. To quote a member of the church when speaking to a friend, “if you come to Living Hope you will grow.” Since the launch of Living Hope we have started the following ministries – small groups that we call missional communities, a nursery, kids discipling, young adult discipling, women’s and men’s discipling, and just sent out our third short term missions team. We praise God for his grace and the faithful servants within the church.
Pray With Us:
We praise God for those we have seen asking questions about Christ, following Christ, devoting themselves to Christ, and growing more into the image of Christ in these few short years. We thank God for the privilege of being called His and would covet your prayers as we continue to grow in treasuring Christ and making disciples.
Please pray for us in the following three ways.
- That every church member would devote themselves to Word, prayer, and mission.
- That we would grow in going to seek and save the lost.
- That God would grant wisdom and favor before God and people as we minister in and for the Northwest Suburbs of Minneapolis.
Key Leaders:
Marshall Posey is the lead pastor and elder. Marshall grew up in Northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities where he developed an affection for the area and a desire to see the gospel go forth. Most importantly, he loves Jesus. He also loves his wife of 28 years, Becky, and their three children Mia, Sydney and Caleb. His hobbies include hiking with the family, reading theology books, running, biking, and swimming. He enjoys watching the Tour de France and tennis. Marshall loves the gospel and would relish the opportunity to explore its depth and beauty over a cup of coffee with you (although he will most likely just drink water).
Dan Johnson is a pastor and elder. He grew up in central Texas and met the Savior just out of high school. He moved to Minnesota after college at the invitation of a friend who pastored a church in North Minneapolis. There he met and married his wife, Dianne. They have five children, eight grandchildren and live in Brooklyn Park. He spent his career in health care and healthcare education. Dan loves the Word. He has a heart for people who are hurting and is committed to seeing godly men and women living faithfully at home, in the community, and in the workplace. He enjoys spending time with Dianne and their family, exploring area parks, and loves a good story! Beverage of choice? Iced tea: plain, dark, and unsweetened!
Andrea Tyson is the director for community life and women’s discipling. She is passionate about the gospel and making disciples who make disciples. She grew up in Maple Grove, went to St. Paul for college and Canada for seminary before serving for 14 years as the Director of Women’s Ministries in a large church. Then, God opened doors for her to join the church plant staff team as well as pioneering a role for women leaders within the NCD. Andrea enjoys pickleball, Ultimate Frisbee, playing games, watching decorating shows, traveling, hiking in the sunshine, and eating raised vanilla frosted sprinkled doughnuts. She loves quality time and meaningful conversations as she builds relationships and comes alongside people- with no greater joy than to know and follow Jesus more whole-heartedly together.
Devin Schmidt is the director for worship ministries. He grew up in central Wisconsin, and although he knew the Lord as a child, he grew to love Jesus, his Word, and his Church in high school. He moved to Minneapolis in 2018 to attend Bethlehem College & Seminary, graduating after five years with a Master of Arts in Theology and Biblical Studies, an event delightfully overshadowed by marrying his best friend, Ellie, later that year. Devin is passionate about seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ admired, enjoyed, trusted, and lived. He loves that God ordained music to play a critical role to that end. When he is not working at the church, or at his other job as a waiter at a Colombian café, he loves spending time with his wife, playing board games, reading fantasy stories, and listening to and playing music.
NCD Conference Video