Tracy Press, Saturday, June 1, 2002
House of Worship

Have you seen this man?

He is the wonderful leader of Christ Followers and is loved by many!

Aiming to serve the unserved

Before the Rev. Jim Hanna started New Hope Community Church, almost two years ago, he surveyed the community and asked why people don't attend church. "The top three reasons: It's boring, it's out of date, and all they do is ask for my money," Hanna said. In response, New Hope is lively and it's relevant, with a contemporary Sunday service and a talented worship band. "We tell our people we want our church to be fun and friendly," Hanna said. "We try to make the services as interesting as possible, with video clips, PowerPoint and sermons that are life-related." As for asking people for money, the church tells its visitors: "Please don't give. You are our guests, and we thank you for being with us."

MISSION, AFFILIATIONS

New Hope is built on the five invitations of Jesus found in the New Testament:

· Come and See
· Come and Grow
· Come and Serve
· Come and Lead
· Come and Worship

The church aims to serve the unserved and connect the unconnected in Tracy. "We tell people, if you are already connected to a church, please go back to that church," Hanna said. "Your pastor needs your help." The church is affiliated with several organizations; such as Te America, an interdenominational church "planting" organization that starts new churches. TeAmerica has a goal of planting 440 new churches by the year 2005. New Hope also is part of the Baptist General Conference, which includes 900 churches nationwide, and the Northern California Baptist Conference, which encompasses 85 churches in Northern California, Hawaii and Nevada.

Hanna and his wife, Elizabeth, are supported financially by 11 churches and 25 individuals. In addition, there is an e-mail prayer team of about 50 people who support the ministry at New Hope. Their goal, of course, is for the church to be self-supporting, with its own building on its own property.

OUTREACH EFFORTS

Hanna has invited Steve Wisniewski, former all-pro guard of the Oakland Raiders, as a guest of the church this Sunday. It's an effort to raise awareness of the church in Tracy, to gain positive momentum and to provide opportunities for members to invite their friends and neighbors - all with a goal of drawing people to Jesus Christ.

Hanna has been in full time ministry for 19 years, most recently at a church in Turlock for seven years. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Colorado Christian University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is also working on a doctorate in church leadership from Bethel West Seminary.

SERVICES FOR All

New Hope is a unique blend of ages, with a style is attractive to Baby Boomers and their families. At the beginning - September 2000 -- a small group gathered at the Holiday Inn Express with a desire to start something new. Now a much larger congregation meets at 5:01 p.m. every Sunday evening at 3402 Mars Court, Suite 111. For children, there is a trained nursery staff that is available during the service and a Bible Discovery Zone for kindergarten through third-graders. The church is looking for a youth pastor to lead its growing student ministry. During the week, men's and women's groups, as well as a group called "Lion Tamers" focused on anger management, gather in individual homes. In the works are recovery-support groups and one called "Couples Night Out." This summer, the church plans a mid-week service in the park on Thursday evenings. "We will start by playing volleyball," Hanna said, "and then we will enjoy pizza and finish with singing and a Bible study."

Sunday evenings: 5:01 p.m., 3402 Mars Court, Suite 111.
For information: 830-6186