Hope Church, founded 36 years ago, has become a cornerstone of the Memphis community. Its journey is a testament to the power of vision and commitment. Mike Gold, who transitioned from a significant role at Willow Creek in Chicago, brought a wealth of experience and a deep sense of calling.
Mike’s story illustrates how Hope Church was not established just to fill a space but to address Memphis’s unique needs. Unlike many churches planted by outside movements, Hope Church was born from a deep-rooted vision for Memphis—a city with a complex history of both hardship and cultural richness. This grassroots approach has been instrumental in shaping its inclusive and community-focused mission.
What sets Hope Church apart is its dedication to a holistic gospel. To them, the church isn’t about a social gospel or merely addressing social issues; it’s about integrating the gospel into every facet of community life. As Mike Gold explained, the church’s mission is to bridge ethnic and racial divides through a gospel-centered approach that is both genuine and transformative.
Hope Church’s commitment to this mission is reflected in its diverse ministries. The church’s emphasis on biblical hospitality is a core value that drives its outreach efforts. This principle, drawn from scriptures like Hebrews 11 and 1 Peter, underscores their approach to welcoming and serving others.
One of Hope Church’s most compelling aspects is its active involvement in community service. The Men’s Ministry, for example, is deeply engaged in local outreach, including initiatives like literacy programs for young people. This reflects a broader commitment to addressing critical social issues through practical and impactful actions.
Another notable initiative is the Oasis of Hope, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Hope Church. This effort highlights the church’s ability to leverage external resources and grants to further its mission of community service and support.
Hope Church is also at the forefront of integrating technology with its ministry, eager to find “..enhanced platforms and content that help both virtual and in-person groups experience Jesus together.”
They have just begun using MinistryPlatform from ACS Technologies and plan to maximize its tools and open APIs to create one unified database that allows them to easily connect member activities, automate engagement, and create a safe space for their congregants to foster discipleship and spiritual growth.
Mike is hopeful the custom widgets offered within MinistryPlatform will allow him to help the community seamlessly integrate with MinistryPlatform.
“For example, serving opportunities exclusive to elders. It doesn’t show up on our regular Serving Opportunity page because you have to be an elder to do it. So we can text this short link out to the elders, and they can sign up to serve. I’m also looking forward to the scheduling system when that comes out. Hopefully, that will replace the volunteer schedule.”
– Mike Gold – Hope Church
Hope Church is eager for MinistryPlatform to provide tools that create efficiency on the administration side so they can keep their focus on ministry.
To learn more about Hope Church, click here.
To learn more about MinistryPlatform, click here.
Jenna Wallace
Jenna joined the ACST team in February 2020 as a Ministry Consultant for small to mid-size churches with a focus on empowering these ministries with the tools they need to accomplish their goals. She believes regardless of the size of the ministry, each church can utilize technology to fulfill the calling God has given them. Prior to joining ACST, she spent several years as a Sales Consultant across multiple industries, all focusing on relationship building, which she feels has allowed her to provide trusted advice to those in need. Jenna is passionate about helping others which fuels her eagerness to serve.
