Having retired once already, Jewelette is finally putting her religious studies degree to good use after 30 years - dressing up as the most mentioned living thing in the Bible other than God and people. When she is not aggravating her pitiful, beach-loving church friends, she is wife to Chris, mom to adult sons Jonathan and Matthew, mom-ish to Lauren, and a collector of penguins (not the real ones yet, but there's still hope).
People often ask her why she smiles so much. Answer: She knows the end of her story. And you can too. John 14:3
People often ask her why she smiles so much. Answer: She knows the end of her story. And you can too. John 14:3
Donna Smith
Academy Director
Donna Smith is our Director at Hope Chapel Academy. She has attended Hope Chapel since February 2015. God opened the door for her to work with us August 2015. She has helped grow our Academy and shown all children love like they were her own. In addition, Donna has shown the light of Christ to each individual family that has been involved with our Academy.
Not only is she our Director, but she is also a wife and mother. She is married to Todd (a few years ago, they celebrated 25 years) and they have adult twins Kody and Mckenzie. She is honored to fulfill her calling of working with children at Hope Chapel Academy!
Not only is she our Director, but she is also a wife and mother. She is married to Todd (a few years ago, they celebrated 25 years) and they have adult twins Kody and Mckenzie. She is honored to fulfill her calling of working with children at Hope Chapel Academy!
Cindy Wagoner
After School Coordinator
Cindy Wagoner is passionate about her love for Jesus, music, and children. Over the years she has worked in several areas of her local church but her heart has always centered around her love for children and her desire for them to know and experience a real, tangible relationship with Jesus Christ.
In 2002, she began serving children at the same elementary school she attended as a child. She desired to help students know they were loved, accepted, and could overcome even the most trying situations. It was said, by her administrator, 'she had the patience of Job,' but Cindy knows it was just the love of Jesus. Her goal was to teach academics and self-discipline, but the prize was to see children find confidence and respect for themselves.
Four years after Cindy and her husband Rodney of 30 years joined our church family, Cindy left her job with the county in July 2022 to work full-time for Hope Chapel. This door opened an opportunity and fulfilled a vision she had written down many years ago. God had once again placed her where she knew she must trust God and allow Him to lead.
Cindy currently serves as our Preschool Coordinator and Program Coordinator for Afterschool. Cindy and Rodney have three sons: Rodney, Joseph, and Jacob, a daughter-in-law Veronica and two grandsons, Grayson and Ezekiel. Cindy knows God is hand-picking the next two daughters-in-law as well.
It is her belief that children are the church of today, tomorrow, and the future. "We are never too young or too old to be used in the Kingdom." She knows God has a purpose and a plan for each soul and she desires to passionately serve and interact with children, their families, and the community to point them to Jesus.
In 2002, she began serving children at the same elementary school she attended as a child. She desired to help students know they were loved, accepted, and could overcome even the most trying situations. It was said, by her administrator, 'she had the patience of Job,' but Cindy knows it was just the love of Jesus. Her goal was to teach academics and self-discipline, but the prize was to see children find confidence and respect for themselves.
Four years after Cindy and her husband Rodney of 30 years joined our church family, Cindy left her job with the county in July 2022 to work full-time for Hope Chapel. This door opened an opportunity and fulfilled a vision she had written down many years ago. God had once again placed her where she knew she must trust God and allow Him to lead.
Cindy currently serves as our Preschool Coordinator and Program Coordinator for Afterschool. Cindy and Rodney have three sons: Rodney, Joseph, and Jacob, a daughter-in-law Veronica and two grandsons, Grayson and Ezekiel. Cindy knows God is hand-picking the next two daughters-in-law as well.
It is her belief that children are the church of today, tomorrow, and the future. "We are never too young or too old to be used in the Kingdom." She knows God has a purpose and a plan for each soul and she desires to passionately serve and interact with children, their families, and the community to point them to Jesus.
Rhonda and Charlie Barber
Ministers of Children
Rhonda and Charlie, originally from South Florida, moved to North Carolina in 1994 after starting a family together, which now consists of three children, two grandchildren, a dog and a cat. Rhonda began working with children at the age of 13 and has ministered to children in many outlets since then - at church, in the community, as a clown and more. One of Rhonda’s favorite Bible verses is: Matthew 19:14, "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven.'"
A well-known quote by St. Francis of Assisi is “Preach the Word at all times and when necessary, use words.” Kids are very impressionable and they pick up on what you do more than what you say, so Rhonda’s life goal is to live in a way that’s an open Bible for kids (and adults) to read even when she is silent. Charlie works alongside of Rhonda, helping, supporting and encouraging. They have also started a nonprofit together where they do community outreach. Charlie and Rhonda came from wildly different backgrounds, yet they are a testament of what God can do when He brings people together to accomplish His purpose in their lives!
A well-known quote by St. Francis of Assisi is “Preach the Word at all times and when necessary, use words.” Kids are very impressionable and they pick up on what you do more than what you say, so Rhonda’s life goal is to live in a way that’s an open Bible for kids (and adults) to read even when she is silent. Charlie works alongside of Rhonda, helping, supporting and encouraging. They have also started a nonprofit together where they do community outreach. Charlie and Rhonda came from wildly different backgrounds, yet they are a testament of what God can do when He brings people together to accomplish His purpose in their lives!
Ismael and Claudia Martins
Bilingual Ministry Leaders
(English translation follows)
Ismael y Claudia son apasionados sobre compartir la historia de amor de Dios a todas las culturas. Entre los dos han vivido y han obtenido una comprensión sobre la cultura americana, hispana/latina, y brasileña. Ismael nació en Brasil y fue creado allá por más de 20 años antes de llegar en 2001 a vivir en los estados unidos. Ismael sintió el llamado de Dios de ser líder de los jóvenes adultos en una iglesia brasileña por más de 5 años. Aunque Claudia nació en los estados unidos y fue creada allí tuvo la experiencia de conocer de sus raíces mejicanos a través de sus padres, pero no fue hasta que ella sintió el llamado de Dios donde abrió su corazón y comenzó a servir a la población hispana/latina. Dios la fue guiando en su jornada de crecer más en conocimiento de su cultura hispana y el idioma, mediante su servicio por más de 15 años como traductora/defensora de las familias hispanas del distrito escolar de Kannapolis. Durante todos esos años sirvió en diferentes iglesias como líder en los ministerios de las mujeres en inglés y español. Actualmente los dos sirven como líderes del ministerio bilingüe en Hope Chapel y lo consideran un gran privilegio y honor. El deseo de sus corazones es de ver todas personas de diferentes culturas aceptar el mensaje de amor, esperanza, y redención de Cristo Jesús. Dios no ve diferencias de personas, “todos ustedes son uno solo en Cristo Jesús”. Gálatas 3:28
Ismael and Claudia are passionate about sharing God’s love story to all cultures. Together they have lived and gained an understanding of the American, Hispanic, and Brazilian cultures. Ismael was born and raised in Brazil for over 20 years before he made his way to the United States in 2001. He felt God’s leading to serve as a young adult’s leader for over 5 years. Although Claudia was born and raised in the United States, she was exposed to her Mexican heritage through her parents; however, it was not until she felt the call of God when she opened her heart and began to serve the Hispanic population. The Lord led her on a journey to grow more in the knowledge of Hispanic culture and language through her service as a Parent Liaison/Interpreter at Kannapolis City Schools District for over 15 years. Throughout those years, she served in other churches as a leader in women’s English and Spanish ministries.
Ismael and Claudia currently serve as our Bilingual Ministry leaders at Hope Chapel which they consider a great privilege and honor. Truly, their hearts' desire is to see all cultures embrace Christ’s message of Love, Hope and Redemption. God sees no distinction…."for we are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
Ismael y Claudia son apasionados sobre compartir la historia de amor de Dios a todas las culturas. Entre los dos han vivido y han obtenido una comprensión sobre la cultura americana, hispana/latina, y brasileña. Ismael nació en Brasil y fue creado allá por más de 20 años antes de llegar en 2001 a vivir en los estados unidos. Ismael sintió el llamado de Dios de ser líder de los jóvenes adultos en una iglesia brasileña por más de 5 años. Aunque Claudia nació en los estados unidos y fue creada allí tuvo la experiencia de conocer de sus raíces mejicanos a través de sus padres, pero no fue hasta que ella sintió el llamado de Dios donde abrió su corazón y comenzó a servir a la población hispana/latina. Dios la fue guiando en su jornada de crecer más en conocimiento de su cultura hispana y el idioma, mediante su servicio por más de 15 años como traductora/defensora de las familias hispanas del distrito escolar de Kannapolis. Durante todos esos años sirvió en diferentes iglesias como líder en los ministerios de las mujeres en inglés y español. Actualmente los dos sirven como líderes del ministerio bilingüe en Hope Chapel y lo consideran un gran privilegio y honor. El deseo de sus corazones es de ver todas personas de diferentes culturas aceptar el mensaje de amor, esperanza, y redención de Cristo Jesús. Dios no ve diferencias de personas, “todos ustedes son uno solo en Cristo Jesús”. Gálatas 3:28
Ismael and Claudia are passionate about sharing God’s love story to all cultures. Together they have lived and gained an understanding of the American, Hispanic, and Brazilian cultures. Ismael was born and raised in Brazil for over 20 years before he made his way to the United States in 2001. He felt God’s leading to serve as a young adult’s leader for over 5 years. Although Claudia was born and raised in the United States, she was exposed to her Mexican heritage through her parents; however, it was not until she felt the call of God when she opened her heart and began to serve the Hispanic population. The Lord led her on a journey to grow more in the knowledge of Hispanic culture and language through her service as a Parent Liaison/Interpreter at Kannapolis City Schools District for over 15 years. Throughout those years, she served in other churches as a leader in women’s English and Spanish ministries.
Ismael and Claudia currently serve as our Bilingual Ministry leaders at Hope Chapel which they consider a great privilege and honor. Truly, their hearts' desire is to see all cultures embrace Christ’s message of Love, Hope and Redemption. God sees no distinction…."for we are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
Charles and Kathy Tucker
Director of Maintenance and Director of Housekeeping
Charles and Kathy met at church as preteens. They dated for four years and started singing together. They have been married 48 years and have two adult children, Alan and Melody, and six grandchildren. They are happily still serving God with their talents. Say the Tuckers, "God has given us many talents to be able to give back and serve others, but to mainly serve Him. We have always tried to serve the Lord with our whole being with a spirit of excellence. One day we want to hear Him say, "Well Done!"
In addition to their on-staff duties, Charles and Kathy are also Lifeteam Leaders (Charles for the Band and Kathy for the Kitchen and Drama Ministries).
In addition to their on-staff duties, Charles and Kathy are also Lifeteam Leaders (Charles for the Band and Kathy for the Kitchen and Drama Ministries).