Let me give some background to August 2002. In our denomination, we have a good process for starting new churches. The first step is to be sent to an Assessment Center to determine whether one has the gifts and calling to plant a church. After that, a one year internship is recommended for those wanting to plant a new church. Gentry and Rebecca McColm entered the Assessment Center in 2001. Later that year they moved to League City to begin their one year internship.

Hope Church began as a dream and a vision of the McColms. After hours and hours of prayerful forward thinking, they moved to Pearland in August 2002. The only apartment available for them was on the east side of Pearland, and the area they were targeting was the west side of Pearland. They began to work out their vision through one on one meeting people, and inviting them to participate in fellowships and bible studies. God brought one couple along early on; another person a little while later; a musician and his wife; a small business owner in Pearland; and finally another person with a great passion to see this church get started. Thus, Hope Church had a "core group."

Pastor Gentry and Rebecca had worked for thirteen months doing all sorts of things to get this church started. You may have seen them outside of Randalls or Kroger; or in your neighborhood handing out new mover bags; or in the park with a HUGE Easter Egg Hunt. Anyway, after thirteen months of sweat and prayers, a core group of seven folks was ready to launch the church. Hope Church's official beginning was September 7th, 2003. When that day came we only knew of about 20 folks that were coming. We were entrusting the rest to God. And God showed mercy: we had 86 at our very first worship service!

From that point on Hope Church has been moving out into the communities where our folks live, work, and play with God's hope, help, and truth. Come and be a part of a church where God is evidently at work!