Meet the hope Team

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HOPE COVENANT STAFF

  • brian zahasky

    Lead pastor

    Brian started at Hope in the summer of 2019. Before that he served as pastor of family and community life in Racine, Wisconsin. Pastor Brian (Pastor Z as they like to call him) was ordained in the ECC in 2012 and has been a lifelong Covenanter. Originally from Rochester Minnesota (Rochester Covenant and New Day are home churches), Brian grew up going to Lake Beauty Bible Camp and many other northwest conference activities. Brian and Maria have been married for 18 years and they have four kids (Drew-14, Ben-12, Jonah-8, and Selah-6). Pastor Z enjoys sports, coffee, drones, backpacking and traveling!

  • KATHY ARMBRUST

    Associate Director of Children’s Ministry

    (Emphasis on early Elementary and preschool)

    Kathy and her family began coming to Hope Covenant in 1995 and within a year, she was hired as the Christian Education Coordinator (January 1996). She was born in northern Indiana, but has lived the majority of her life in St. Cloud, MN. Kathy is married to her best friend Darrell, and they have 5 grown boys and 7 grandchildren. She prefers reading and can crochet just about anything. Kathy is known to the children of Hope Covenant as the "Jolly Rancher lady"!

  • MAria Zahasky

    Associate Director of Children’s Ministry

     (Emphasis on Elementary and Pre-teen) 

    Maria started at Hope in the fall of 2020. Before that she served as Associate Director of Children's Ministry at Faithbridge Church in Racine, WI. Maria graduated from Trinity International University in 2004 with a degree in Children's Ministry and Biblical studies. She thinks one of the best parts of working in children's ministry is getting to walk side by side with children and parents as they begin a lifelong journey of following Jesus. She enjoys spending time with her family (husband Brian and children Drew, Ben, Jonah, and Selah) as well as reading, baking, playing games and bargain shopping.

  • Mischa Henry

    administrative coordinator

    Mischa began attending Hope in the fall of 2019. Initially she got plugged in helping in the nursery, then began helping with a few building projects here and there and currently serves as the Properties Ministry Chair. Mischa took on the role of Administrative Coordinator in May of 2023.  She loves home projects, opportunities to be creative, reading, and spending time with her husband, Coleman and children, Lewis and Violet. 

Leadership Team

  • JULIE TOOLE

    Julie and her husband Marty have attended Hope since 1999. They have three children and six grandkids. Julie works full-time at Resource Training & Solutions in Sartell. She has been a member of the Leadership Team since January 2019 holding positions of Secretary and Vice Chair. Julie is currently serving as Church Chair, liaison to the properties team, and leads the Hope Connect Team.

  • Jan Olson

    Jan has attended Hope Covenant for 40 years, during which time she and her husband Keith raised their 2 kids and even owned a restaurant together! They now have 7 grandkids and Jan works as a lunch lady at Sartell High School. Jan is the liaison for the hospitality team and women’s ministry.

  • Keith Krueger

    Keith and his wife, Beth, have attended Hope since 1993.They have 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren. Keith is a retired physician and serves on our leadership team as vice chair and represents Men's Ministry.

  • Nicole COOK

    Nicole has attended Hope Cov for 4 years. She’s a campus staff minister for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship discipling college students at SCSU. On a Saturday, you may find her knitting gifts for friends while enjoying a good movie.  Nicole serves as the Leadership Team Secretary and liaison to the Mission Team and People to People ministry.

  • roger eriksson

    Roger and his wife Tracy have been attending Hope since 1983. They have three daughters and one grandson that they love to spoil! He has served Hope leadership for many years and is coming back as church treasurer. Roger’s professional life was as a CPA, but he is enjoying his retirement! Roger will work with the various church processes, including stewardship and financial secretary.

  • Barb Scheevel

    Barb and her husband Ellis have attended Hope for 37 years! Together they raised their 4 kids at Hope and have 5 grandkids they get to love on now. Barb is the Spiritual Care Team chair and serves as the Leadership Team's liaison to that team.

  • Phil Godding

    Phil Godding wears many hats: husband, father, grandfather, college professor, writer, forensic clinical psychologist and a supporter of Hope Covenant.  Phil and Debbie have attended Hope for over 20 years.  Phil is the liaison between the Leadership Team and Men’s Ministry at Hope. He is also on the board at Lake Beauty Bible Camp.

SPIRITUAL CARE TEAM

  • BARB SCHEEVEL

    Barb and her husband Ellis have attended Hope for 37 years! Together they raised their 4 kids at Hope and have 5 grandkids they get to love on now. Barb serves on the spiritual care team because she cares about the spiritual lives of our congregation and she loves to encourage and pray for people.

  • suzanne isakson

    Suzanne Isakson is blessed to have walked with the Lord most of her life, and to have a faithful and loving husband (Ed),

    4 children, 5 grandchildren and a grand goldendoodle to make memories with. She enjoys recording these memories in scrapbooks, enjoys "playing" with paper, fabric, dirt in her gardens and the keyboard, and studying God's Word.

  • Coleman Henry

    Coleman and Mischa, his wife, have been attending Hope Covenant since the fall of 2019. They have two young children, Lewis and Violet. Coleman and his family are thankful for their move to Minnesota from Wyoming, where they traded mountains for lakes. Coleman works at St. Cloud State University as a professor. He joined the Spiritual Care Team to develop deeper connections with the church family and the opportunity to learn how to care well for others from fellow SCT members.

  • marty toole

    Marty has been a member of Hope for 22 years serving within many different ministries.. He and his wife, Julie, have 3 adult children and 6 grandkids. Marty enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends!

  • SCOTT BJORKLUND

    Scott and his wife Maggie have been attending Hope since 1985. They have been blessed with four grown children and 11 grandchildren. Their Hope family have played an important part in the raising of their children. The SCT team has given Scott the privilege of ministering to the needs of our Hope family.

  • Jenna Noble

    Jenna and her family started attending Hope in 2004. She is a teacher for the St. Cloud area school district where she currently works as an Academic Coach at Madison Elementary School. Jenna enjoys a nice, hot cup of coffee, playing piano, window shopping, and spending time with family. She serves on the Spiritual Care team at Hope.