📣 New Hope Presbytery Strategic Plan Launch (2025–2028)
Together in Hope, Together for Christ
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…”
— Matthew 25:35-36
“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry…”
— Psalm 146:7-9
A Call for Unity, Action, and Transformation
In these challenging and divided times, the call to live out our faith boldly and compassionately is more urgent than ever. The New Hope Presbytery is excited to unveil our new Strategic Plan (2025–2028) — a Spirit-led response rooted in Scripture, shaped by prayer, and born of your voices across Table Talks, surveys, and congregational conversations. Read the Strategic Plan here.
🌟 Our Mission
To build relationships, equip, and serve together as the body of Christ with congregations and communities — moving all toward God’s vision of love, justice, hope, and peace.
🛤️ Our Strategic Goals
In the next three years, we will focus on these foundational directions:
Building Connectional Relationships
Strengthen ties among congregations through support, collaboration, and shared mission.Equipping Congregations for New Ministry
Provide tools, training, and resources for reimagining how we worship, serve, and lead.Strengthen Faith-Based Identity To implement and further the Matthew 25 principles of strengthening congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating poverty.
🤝 Together We Go
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11. As we move forward in faith, trusting God’s promises, we commit to implementing these goals, building operational sustainability, and ensuring financial stability. Realizing this vision will require the collective dedication of the entire Presbytery of New Hope—from every congregation across our 34 counties—as we step boldly into the future God is preparing for us.
🙌 Your Gifts Were Needed
We invited you to consider how God might be calling you to take part. How might you serve on a Strategic Task Force? How might you share your gifts to help guide implementation in your area of passion or expertise?
Let’s work together to bring life to this plan — and God’s vision — across our Presbytery.
🌟 And You Responded!
The Lord has blessed the Presbytery of New Hope with the following individuals who have agreed to serve on the Strategy Implementation Task Force. The task force will launch its work at the end of October 2025, under the facilitation of Ministry Architects.
STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE | |
Rev. Ben Acton | Pastor First Presbyterian – Garner |
Jane King | Ruling Elder First Presbyterian – Henderson |
Rev. Frank Mansell | Pastor Western Blvd-Raleigh |
Delores Parker | Ruling Elder Davie St -Raleigh |
Phil Parker | Ruling Elder Outer Banks Presbyterian – Kill Devil Hills |
Roslyn Thomas | Ruling Elder St. Paul PC- Louisburg |
Rev. Elizabeth Whitmer | Pastor Bear Grass Presbyterian – Williamston |
John Winings | Commissioned Ruling Elder |
🕊️ Because Together…
We are stronger.
We are faithful.
We are New Hope.
Together, let’s move toward God’s vision of love, justice, hope, and peace.
📧 Contact us to get involved or learn more: strategic@nhpresbytery.org
Keep an eye on this space for updates!
In Christ,
New Hope Presbytery Strategic Planning Steering Committee
Rev. Dr. Bruce T. Grady, Dr. Lydia Rodriguez Menzel, Mr. Jay Cummings, Rev. Ed Johnson
Mr. Jerry Slaymaker, Ms. Amber Zappel, Rev. Katie Cashwell