about us

New Hope  Community Church is growing community of diverse people united in our purpose to follow Jesus, love one another, reach out to the community and the world.  We invite you to join us for one of our weekend services or contact any of the pastoral staff.

Though our ministry to the campuses continues, in large part through our support of InterVarsity, we now offer vibrant ministries for people of all ages.  We are actively supporting several missionary efforts around the world, with a strategic focus to reaching those with limited means for hearing and responding to Christ.

Be sure to check out our Small Groups too.  These are mid-week opportunities for additional  fellowship, spiritual growth and encouragement.

sunday service

Our Sunday morning service is  at 10:30 in person or online on Facebook or Youtube.

Child Care

 The nursery (ages 0-3) has toys, infant swings, cribs, couches, educational Christian videos, a changing table and a television with a broadcast of the service. Parents are also welcome to keep their children with them during the service and use the nursery equipment whenever necessary.

Children ages 4-12 are released to Jr. Church right before the message in the service. 

Leadership

Aaron Reardon accepted Christ into his life and got baptized when he was a child. Life has been an amazing adventure for him, between growing up with 4 brothers and 2 sisters, going to college, getting married to his best friend (Kim), starting a business at 24 and fostering his business to this day! He has been married for 16 years and has two children– a daughter Ava, 8 years old, and a son Judah, less than 1 year old. He has been involved in Music Ministry and leadership since 1998. He came on as a worship leader for the church in 2012, became a deacon and worship director in 2016. In January 2020 he joined the ministry staff part time. In April 2021 he joined the Elder team as a part time Pastor and became a full time pastor in July 2022.

Glen Ewart grew up near the Albany area where, just before heading off to college, he surrendered his life to the love of God through Christ Jesus . As a new Christian in college he deeply appreciated the collegiate fellowship he was part of, so much so that eventually he became one of their leaders. After getting degrees in Electrical Technology (AA) and Mathematics (BS) he accepted an invitation to serve at least 3 years on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. That was in 1983! Glen continues to serve full-time with InterVarsity while also serving, since 2008, in a part time role as one of the pastors at New Hope. His focus at New Hope is on outreach. Glen has been married to Beverly – who is also on staff at New Hope – for over 35 years. They have two grown children, Sean & Alyssa. ​

Beverly Ewart

Ministry Staff

Beverly Ewart has been a developing disciple of Jesus since 1979. She attended SUNY Potsdam, where she studied Studio Art and English. As a new Christian, she grew through her involvement in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on campus and New Hope Community Church (then Koinonia Church) off campus. She met her husband at SUNY Potsdam through a mutual involvement in InterVarsity, and they married in 1984. They have been partners in campus ministry and ministry through the church ever since! She completed three years of New Staff Training from 2000-2003 with Inter Varsity and provided a ministry presence at St. Lawrence University. She came on staff at New Hope Community Church in 2016 where she is primarily working in women’s ministry and discipleship. She has two grown children.

church council

Church Council 2023-2024: (from left to right) David Stauffer, Bill Scott, Allison Aldrich, Martin Walker, Robert Ludlam, Glen Ewart, Marianne Augenstein, Karen Stauffer, Andrea Ellison, Aaron Reardon, Diane Romlein, Victoria Fitch.

vision and mission

“Growing together toward maturity in Christ.” (Col. 1:28, 29)

“Our mission is to bring new hope, through the grace and peace of Jesus Christ, to the local campuses, our communities, and countries around the world.”

To this end we will be a local church with…

Empowering Leadership

Effective leadership begins with an intimate relationship with God and a growing knowledge of and obedience to His Word, resulting in Christ- like character and a clear sense of God’s calling for leader’s lives. As this base of spiritual maturity increases, effective pastors and leaders multiply, guide, train, empower and equip disciples to realize their full potential in Christ and work together to accomplish God’s vision. Leaders focus on equipping and training other Christians to do ministry. Leaders are committed wholly to church growth, they empower others to do the work of the ministry and develop strategic partnerships.

Gift-Oriented Ministry

The Holy Spirit sovereignly gives to every Christian spiritual gift(s) for the building of God’s kingdom. Church leaders have the responsibility to help believers discover, develop and exercise their gifts in appropriate ministries so that the Body of Christ “grows and builds itself up in love.” Rather than people filling required slots to keep the machinery turning, ministry tasks are being distributed according to the spiritual gifts of the people. Christians in our church are using their God given gifts to glorify God, build up the church and accomplish Christ’s ministries.

Passionate Spirituality

Effective ministry flows out of a vibrant relationship with Christ. Spiritual intimacy leads to a strong conviction that God will act in powerful ways. A godly vision can only be accomplished through faith, which views obstacles as opportunities and turns defeats into victories. The spiritual lives of the church members are characterized by Bible study, prayer, enthusiasm, and boldness. Members live out their faith with power and contagious enthusiasm. Life is marked by grace rather than duty or legalism.

Functional Structures

The Church is the living Body of Christ. Like all healthy organisms, it requires numerous systems which work together to fulfill its intended purpose. Each must be evaluated regularly to determine if it is still the best way to accomplish the intended purpose. The forms, practices, and structures of the church are designed to most effectively accomplish ministry in this time and place (form follows function); church structures are evaluated as to whether or not they contribute to the glory of God and the growth of the church.

Inspiring Worship

Ultimately, everything we do is either an act of worship or an act of idolatry. Personal and corporate encounters with the Living God are inspiring expressions of worship. Both personal and corporate worship must be infused with the presence of God resulting in times of joyous exultation and times of quiet reverence. Corporate inspiring worship is not driven by a particular style or ministry focus group – but rather the shared experience of God’s awesome presence. Attending worship services is inspiring and uplifting to those who attend; worship is a high point of the week for the congregation. People come away feeling joyful and fulfilled, having met with God.

Holistic Home Groups

Holistic home groups are disciple-making communities which endeavor to reach the unchurched, meet individual needs, develop each person according to their God-given gifts and raise leaders to sustain the growth of the church. Like healthy body cells, holistic home groups are designed to grow and multiply. There is a continuous multiplication of home groups that meet the real needs of people; the loving and healing power of fellowship is experienced in these groups. Practical discipleship happens in these groups.

Need-Oriented Evangelism

Need-oriented evangelism intentionally cultivates relationships with non-Christians so they can become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ who are actively participating within the life of the church and community. Using appropriate ministries and authentic relationships, believers can guide others into the family of God. Evangelistic activities relate directly to the needs of the people the church is trying to reach. Christians use their spiritual gifts to help fulfill the Great Commission. Everyone uses his or her current network of contacts with the unchurched to extend the church.

Loving Relationships

Loving relationships are the heart of a healthy, growing church. Jesus said people will know we are his disciples by our love. Practical demonstration of love builds authentic Christian community and brings others into God’s kingdom. Relationships among the members of the church are characterized by a high level of godly love and respect for one another. Christ’s love permeates all church activities. Mutual encouragement and the joy of the Lord flow continually.

statement of faith

SCRIPTURE

We believe in the 66 canonized and commonly recognized books of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writing, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life. (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; 1 Thess. 2:13)

THE GODHEAD

We believe in the one triune God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit co-eternal in being, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14)

THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. (John 1:2; Luke 1:35)

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, bodily resurrection from the dead. (1 Cor. 15:3-4; 1 Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7)

We believe the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, where He is now exalted at the right hand of God, and ministers as our High Priest and Intercessor. (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 4:14, 7:25; 1 John 2:1)

THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, and who regenerates, indwells, enlightens and empowers the saved. (John 16:8; 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 1:13-14)

DEPRAVITY

We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and become sinners in thought, word, and deed. (Genesis 1:26; Rom. 3:23; 5:14; Eph. 2:1-3)

SALVATION

We believe that eternal salvation is solely the gift of God, and that all who in sincere contrition repent of their sins, believe the gospel and receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith alone are born again of the Holy Spirit. (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5; Acts 2:38; Eph. 2:8-10)

SECOND COMING

We believe in the personal, imminent return of Christ in the air for His Saints. (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

JUDGEMENT AND THE ETERNAL STATE

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting conscious blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost. (John 5:28; Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:11-15)

church constitution

Download Church Constitution (Updated 9/18/2016)

New hope
community church

33 Grant Street
Potsdam, NY 13676

Sundays: 10:30am

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