Our Staff
Meet Our Pastor
“Hi, my name is Scott Gamel, and I have the extreme honor to serve as Pastor of New Hope Community Church…”
Scott Gamel grew up in Alabama as the oldest son of an Alabama State Trooper and a telephone operator. After surviving Miss Wherry’s English class, high school football, and the potential pitfalls of running around with, in his mamma’s words, “a bunch of hooligans”, he managed to graduate from high school and enter Atlanta Christian College to study for the ministry.
“The mission of the church is simple – but that doesn’t mean it’s easy! I believe we should make it hard for people from our city to go to hell, and easy for them to find Jesus. That’s accomplished when the church commits itself to: 1) Love people, 2) Help people, and 3) Tell people about Jesus…”
On his first day at college, Scott met a 17 year-old girl named Vicki who, though he didn’t know it at the time, would one day be his wife. During his college years he traveled the southeastern United States promoting and recruiting for the college, and served as a youth minister in Alabama and Georgia. Since graduating from college, Scott has served the church as a Pastor, ministry leader, and church planter in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and Indiana.
“My goal in ministry is connecting people to the radical, life-changing grace of God. The transformation in the life of someone who “gets it” – who understands that God really loves them and wants to have a relationship with them – is the most thrilling thing a pastor can experience…”
Scott also spent time in “the marketplace”, and this has helped him keep a feel for what followers of Jesus face everyday in the “real world.” Scott spent 10 years with one of the world’s largest companies, rising up through the ranks from hourly associate to performance coach and training director.
“Most folks I know are overworked, over-committed, and over-stressed. I don’t want people to see God as ‘one more thing’ they’ve got to cram into their daily planner. I want to help them discover that ‘Christ in you’ is the center of life, and when we re-order our world around that truth we can lean on His strength and His power…”
Scott enjoys sports (especially college football – Roll Tide!), a good book, and a hot cup of coffee. His wife, Vicki, is his best friend, partner, and the hero of their home. They are the parents of six boys, Ben, 20, Sam, 17, Nick, 15, Jake, 12, Luke, 9, and Grayson, 5.
“I tell people that living our house is like living in a bowling alley! There’s a constant noise level with louder outbursts from time to time. There is definitely never a dull moment. Seriously though, it’s a warm home, filled with laughter, and a place where friends feel comfortable kicking off their shoes and staying for supper…”
Meet our Youth Pastors
Chris Wolfe leads "Friction" - New Hope's ministry to students. He is a "homegrown" and has been a part of the church since he was around 4 years old! Chris has been involved in every Bible Beach Club summer outreach event ever offered by the church - first as a participant, then as a helper, and eventually as a leader.
In addition to his leadership and teaching, Chris has a variety of performance talents, and has been involved in music, acting, and dancing. He also plays the keyboards for the worship band.
Chris can often be seen running around town or at the park, and he has been a regular participant in the annual Hog Jog 10k Race, and has run in the mini-marathon in Indianapolis as well.
Chris was homeschooled by his mom, Kathy, and currently attends Indiana University Kokomo.
Chris' love for students and commitment to Christ are obvious to everyone who meets him.
Anya Wolfe Ayres is Chris' twin sister and the "other half" of our student ministry team. Just like Chris, Anya is a homegrown with a long history of involvement in our church. She is a homeschool graduate, and has attended IU Kokomo. In addition to working with the Friction youth group, Anya is also an important part of the worship team.
Anya's interests include running, working out, and she makes an amazing cheesecake! She is a talented songwriter and choreographer, and has written and performed in several dramatic productions. She has been married to her husband Zach since May 2009 .
Meet our Administrative Assistant
Leslie Evans is New Hope's administrative assistant! Leslie handles EVERYTHING to do with administration, organization, scheduling, etc., and she is a fantastic resource and benefit to us.
Leslie is a native of Jasper, Indiana and a graduate of Purdue. She is married to Josh, one of our deacons and worship ministry leader, and she is the mother of Hunter, 8, Grace, 5, and Faith, 3, and step-mom to Jesi, 17, and Jonah, 15. In her free time, she enjoys sport, exercise, and raising her kids.
Leslie spent 10 years with Subaru Research and Development, also in administration, and so comes to us well qualified to help New Hope continue to grow into the future God is leading us to!