OUR STAFF
Mike Speegle – Lead Pastor
Mike was born and raised in Stockton, CA. He grew up in a nonreligious family. In his early twenties, while working as a butcher, he became a follower of Jesus. That decision led to a change of direction and purpose in life.
He went back to community college (San Joaquin Delta College) for a year while continuing to work as a butcher, then attended and graduated from Pacific Union College in the beautiful Napa Valley in California. There he met his wife Lorie. He’s pastored in Las Vegas, NV; Moab, UT; Lake Tahoe, CA; Atlanta, GA; Colorado Springs, CO; the Sacramento, CA area; and in Washington state before coming to New Hope in 2013.
He has two grown sons, two fantastic daughters-in-law and three grandsons. He serves as our lead pastor, is the primary speaker for our worship services, works with our Executive and Finance Committees, and leads our staff and church to live out God’s kingdom wherever we are.
Chelsy Tyler – Student & Volunteers Pastor
Chelsy was born and raised in Miami, FL. As she was growing up, her family moved around a couple of times before finally settling in TX, which Chelsy calls her second home. She was raised a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, but didn’t really commit to following Jesus until a caring adult at church really showed her the love of God in her middle school years. That commitment to follow God eventually led to an unexpected calling to go into ministry.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theology from Southern Adventist University in TN. There she met her husband Corey. They don’t have any kids but hope to have a dog (or two) one day!
She pastored in Arlington, TX before coming to New Hope in 2019. She now serves as our Student Ministries and Volunteer Ministries pastor, working with high school students, young adults, and volunteers to pursue deeper intimacy with and service to God.
Andre Arrais – Worship & Outreach Pastor
Andre was born and raised in Brazil in a pastoral family. Upon finishing high school, he decided to study Law at the Adventist University of São Paulo. During his fifth and final year of Law School, Andre had a strong conviction that God was calling him to become a pastor and give up his future as a lawyer. After graduating with his Law degree in 2009, Andre married Natalia (his Law School classmate) and started his Theology degree (Master of Divinity) at Andrews University in 2010.
After completing his studies in 2014, he received a call from the Texico Conference to pastor in New Mexico. In 2018, he started serving as the Young Adult Director for the same conference. During his time there, Andre and Natalia were blessed with two beautiful children: Noah and Stella.
In August of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Andre accepted the call to serve at New Hope. He described the selection process as being one of the most clear manifestations of God’s providence in his life.
In his free time, Andre enjoys playing music, exercising, cooking, and being outdoors with his family. He is also a member of the duo band “Os Arrais”.
Kasper Haughton Jr. – Online & Administrative Pastor
Shiphrah Fepulea’i – Family Ministries Pastor
Gracie Nieto – Administrative Coordinator
Gracie was born and raised in Laurel, MD. She was brought up as a Seventh-day Adventist and attended Atholton Adventist Academy from kindergarten through 8th grade, then attended Reservoir High School. While at Atholton, she was baptized and became a very active member of the church and her church group. In her high school years, she met her husband Bentley and started attending New Hope more actively and eventually became a part of our community full time, eagerly bringing friends who had never experienced church.
In her free time, Gracie enjoys listening to music, being active, creating art, doing makeup, and traveling.
Here at New Hope, Gracie serves as our Administrative Assistant as well as the event coordinator for the young adult ministry.
Kristen Fordham – Family Ministries Assistant
Kristen was born and raised in Maryland. She was brought up Seventh-Day Adventist and her love for God was instilled in her from a very young age. She sang in the children’s and youth choir at her home church, Community Praise Church and was a part of the Campus Ministries Team while attending Spencerville Academy. She also has sung in praise teams for chapel.
She discovered her love for writing and poetry at the age of 14 and she realized her writing would be used to inspire people in their walk with the Lord. She attended Oakwood University and continued her love for singing and writing by singing in choirs and performing poetry.
She currently serves as a mentor in a ministry that she was once involved in during high school, called Essence of Virtuous Sisters. It is a ministry to help young girls from the ages of 13 through 18 to discover that their true virtue as young ladies come from Christ alone. As a mentor, her mission is to help usher young ladies into becoming the women that God has called them to be and to share with them all the beautiful things the Lord taught her throughout her walk with Him. She knows that a huge part of her calling is serving the church and she has a heart for inspiring and serving others. As she walks with God, her journey to discovering her calling continues to unravel and she is committed to allowing the Lord to lead her step by step.
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OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.