Below are our pastor's council and a little information about each of them.  

Mark Jackson

Mark has been attending New Hope since 1997. He has served as trustee since 2004 monitoring the fiscal and physical needs of the church. Mark is a quasi-retired self-employed Developer/General Contractor. He has been married to his wife, Debbie (NH Church Clerk) for 49 years and has three children, Danielle, Mark, and Joseph. He also has five grandchildren, Tristan, Camden, Drake, Hudson, and Bella

Steve Madison

Steve is a founding and charter member of New Hope. He has served in multiple ministries over the years, including on the Worship Team as a vocalist. Steve has been married to his wife, Cheris, for 46 years and has two children, Jennifer and Dustin, and four grandchildren, Hunter, Madison, Taylor, and Hannah.

Barry Sims

Barry has been attending New Hope since 2004. He currently serves on the Encore Leadership Team and as a Small Group Leader. Barry worked as agency manager with Tennessee Farm Bureau for 33 years. He has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 39 years and has two sons, Dylan and Aaron, and two grandchildren, Juniper and Teddy.

Matt Auer

Matt has been attending New Hope for the last 14 years. He currently serves on the Prayer & Communion Team, Security Team, Watchmen, and Sanctuary Caregivers. He was also actively involved in the NH Christmas Spectacular the last three years. Matt works for C Laney and Sons Construction as a Superintendent. He has been married to his wife, Cortney, for 13 years and has two boys, Landon and Killian.

Tracy Ballew

Tracy has been attending New Hope for the last 13 years. She has served in many ministries over the years including Usher, Prayer Team, Small Group Leader, and Front of the House Team Lead for the Christmas Spectacular. Tracy works for the Sevier County School System as the Secondary ELA Facilitator. She has been married to her husband, Hans, for 24 years and has two children, Elijah & Maddy.

Scott Connatser

Scott has attended New Hope for the last 12 years. He currently serves on the Frontlines Team and the Encore Leadership Team. Scott works for the Sevier County Board of Education as the Payroll Administrator and Benefits Coordinator. He has been married to his wife, Christie, for 11 years and has 3 boys, Eli, Zachary, & Joseph.

Jerry Glenn

Jerry has attended New Hope for the last 13 years. He currently serves on the Prayer & Communion Team, and as Sanctuary Caregiver, and as Small Group Leader. Jerry works at US Realty Investment Corp as Principal. He has been married to his wife, Jenny, for 35 years and has 3 children and 12 grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Bill Hakes

Bill has attended New Hope for the last 4 years. He currently serves on the Prayer & Communion Team, Encore Leadership Team, and as Small Group Leader. Bill is a semi-retired credentialed pastor with the Church of God. He currently works at Restoration House Ministries as Pastoral Counselor. After being widowed in 2019, he has been married to his current wife, Sherry, for just over a year. Between the two of them, they have 9 children, 19 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

Randy Higgenbottom

Randy has attended New Hope for the last 6 years. He currently serves on the Prayer & Communion Team and the Encore Leadership Team. Randy is a retired ordained pastor with the COG. He currently works at the Smoky Mountain Children's Home in the Maintenance Department. Randy has been married to his wife, Patty, for 49 years and has 3 children, 12 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

Thomas King

Thomas has attended New Hope for the last 18 years. He currently serves as Team Lead for the Sanctuary Caregivers, on the Prayer & Communion Team, and as Usher, and Small Group Leader. Thomas works at Kroger as the Produce Manager. His parents are long time members of New Hope, with his mother, Bonnie, serving as receptionist for many years before her retirement.

Ben Young

Ben has attended New Hope for the last 3 years. He currently serves on the Prayer & Communion Team, Student Ministries Team, Offering Team, and as the Young Adult Ministries Team Lead, and Small Group Leader. Ben works at Flat Branch Home Loans as a Mortgage Loan Officer. He has been married to his wife, Mandy, for 20 years and has 2 children, Eli and Isaiah.

James Benson

James has been attending New Hope for the last 4 years. He currently serves on the Praise & Worship Team as Guitarist. He has also served as Small Group Leader, Christmas Spectacular Tech Team, and a Team Lead for the Connection Team. James works for iBASEt as Senior Training Specialist. He has been married to his wife, Sherry, for 26 years and has 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.