Our Church Council
An Important NHF Council Update
Our Church Council Candidates
Jim DiMarco
My name is Jim DiMarco. I have been married to my wife Marian, for thirty years. I have been blessed with three adult kids, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren . We have been attending New Hope Fellowship for about eighteen months.
We have also known Pastor Al, Valerie and the Soto family for twenty-seven years. While living in the Bay Area, we attended Pastor Al's church in South San Jose for three years prior to moving to El Dorado Hills. Since being at New Hope Fellowship, I have lead and served on the Road Warrior parking lot crew. I also serve on the prayer ministry team.
Marian and I are co leaders with Paul and Lynda Samples huddle group. I have recently taken on the role as the Men's Ministry team leader.
And now, I am honored to be asked to participate on the church council. By being on the church council, I look forward to collaborating in the decisions concerning the future of our church and our church family.
Patrice Gran
Four years ago, my husband and I moved to Placerville from Stockton. We began looking for a new church home, after having attended the same church in Stockton for 25+ years. I had been very involved in the Stockton church, serving in many areas, including Worship Arts, Children’s ministry, and serving on several boards.
Our prior church was very large, so this time, we felt God leading us to connect with a smaller church. We tried a few churches in our new area and ended up at New Hope Fellowship at the same time Pastor Al was starting his ministry. The first day I attended, (my husband was working), I was greeted in the parking lot by Jerry and made to feel very welcome. When I walked into service, I felt I was home. I knew God had led us to our new church home.
For the first year, we attended Sunday service and met a few members. I began praying and asking God to lead me in ways to serve. I met with Ranell and joined the praise team. Eventually I also started serving in Children’s ministry one Sunday a month.
A few months ago, Pastor Al approached me about serving on the Council. My first thought was “No, I don’t have the time or desire.” However, I told Pastor Al I would pray for guidance. I continued to pray about it for several weeks. It seemed like every excuse I came up with, God countered and nudged me a little harder. I met with Pastor Al, talked over my concerns, prayed, and felt God telling me it was time to serve in this area.
I pray that God will guide me and help me to contribute to this council. I pray he will help me to give input to grow our church in the manner that God has planned for New Hope Fellowship, as a congregation that can serve our community and faithfully lead others to Christ our Lord and Savior.
Our Church Council
Paul Samples
Linda Vallner
I’m a Midwesterner by birth, born in Racine, Wisconsin. Found Jesus at the age of 28 as a young mother living in Athens, Georgia and have just celebrated 50 years of knowing Christ as my Savior and Lord. In the world I worked in Human Resources for a variety of high tech companies and also consulted with small businesses. I have two incredible sons and five grandchildren. My life is blessed. I’ve been a member of New Hope Fellowship for over twenty years serving in a variety of positions, however, leading the women’s bible study for the last six years has been the best and most fulfilling of all.
Jason Bowman
Jerry Anderson "Wing Man": Servant-Leadership Principle
Pastoral Proclamation with the Church Council
“Jerry, I wanted to take the time on the phone with you our very first Church Council meeting in which you are not physically with us as your tenure has come to an end officially with recent health challenges that you are navigating through by the grace, strength and power of Jesus Christ. I wanted to in the presence of the Church Council make a proclamation concerning you.
In the Bible, when Paul affirms a man who was a friend to him, he often uses phrases like "beloved brother," "faithful coworker," "dear friend," or "fellow soldier," highlighting the deep trust and appreciation he had for their relationship, often mentioning specific qualities that made them valuable to him in his ministry. Some examples of this are in the following verses
Timothy: Paul frequently referred to Timothy as his "beloved son" and "faithful minister," demonstrating a close mentorship and deep affection.
Luke: In Colossians, Paul calls Luke his "beloved physician," signifying a strong friendship and likely reliance on his medical expertise.
Barnabas: Though they had a temporary disagreement, Paul still considered Barnabas a close partner and "fellow laborer" in the Gospel.
The greatest examples of a relationship of trust are what Jesus Bestowed on the disciples when he invited them to call him friend.
It was May 23rd, 2023, that I was officially installed as the Lead Pastor of New Hope Fellowship and my trust was in the Lord and my joy was in serving on the Church Council of New Hope Fellowship with a man by the name of Jerry Anderson.
Jerry became an ear to listen to this Pastors heart, a confidant in which this Pastor could share is struggles openly without any fear of judgement. Jerry, you became closer than a brother and it is an honor for this pastor to count you as a friend. Your wisdom and voice along with your ability to roll up your sleeves and do the hard physical work that has been necessary is an example of Servant – Leadership and eldership. Any success or fruitfulness that has taken place is because there has been a man like you, Jerry Anderson, were always at the table with each one of us contending for God’s best for our church and community.
What exactly is a "Wingman"? In Air Force lexicon, a Wingman is a pilot who flies alongside the leader of a flying formation providing mutual support and backup in the accomplishment of a mission. The meaning in English is a friend who supports you, especially a man who supports another man when trying to meet or talk to possible partners: Therefore, it is said, in these kinds of situations it always helps to have a good wingman.
Jerry you embody what a “Man of Honor” is, who is a wingman. We are making the following proclamation in front of the Church council that on December 9, 2024, Jerry Anderson is acknowledged to be a Wing Man to our Church Council and is acknowledged to have served our church with the highest of Christian character and integrity. It will also be recognized that for every man and woman who serves on our Church Council on their official Ministry Description of their role they will be referred to as functioning as a wing man and Jerry Anderson will be the example that is given of what a wing man is and does.
It will be known as the “Jerry Anderson Wing Man Servant-Leadership Principle” that regardless of gender but the application and meaning being that of the role on this Church Council that serves the Community of faith at New Hope Fellowship.__largepreview__.webp)
