Reverend Blair Fields, Senior Pastor
Born in Virginia, Blair majored in Theology and Music at the University of Virginia. He then received his Masters of Divinity Degree at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, Illinois. Serving as an ordained pastor since June 1983 in Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky, Pastor Blair has led the Hopeful family since 1996. Blair has been married to his wife Barb for 31 years. They have 3 grown children: Caitlin, Jeb, and Taylor.
Reverend Kelly Mongoven Easton, Associate Pastor
Kelly was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. She has her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Florida State University and Master of Arts in Youth Ministry from Memphis Theological Seminary and the Center for Youth Ministry Training. Before accepting the call of Associate Pastor at Hopeful, Kelly worked as a social worker and served churches in Birmingham, Alabama and Fort Myers, Florida. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys yoga, hiking and watching The West Wing.
Rev. Rodney L. Ford, DMin, Online Campus Pastor
Rod's hometown has always been Florence. He and his wife, Susan, both grew up here. Rod has a BA in journalism from the University of Kentucky, an MDiv from the Church of God Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Institute of Lutheran Theology. Before coming onto staff at Hopeful in 2022, Rod served as Chaplain for the Cincinnati Cyclones hockey team and on our Council. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Institute of Lutheran Theology.
Paula Brunette, Office Administrator
Paula was born and raised in South Africa. At the age of 21 she travelled to New Jersey to take care of 2 young children as an Au pair. She settled into life in the US and moved to Upstate New York where she graduated from Broome Community College with an A.S. in Business Administration and then went on to graduate from Binghamton University with a B.A. in Human Development. In 2019, she and her husband, Kevin relocated to KY for his job. They have a son, Dylan, who lives in NY.
Don Wentzel, President
Don was born and raised in Central Pennsylvania. He served with the United States Air Force retiring after 21.5 years as a Master Sergeant. Upon his retirement, he and his family moved to Northern KY and now calls Union home. He graduated from Newman University with a B.A. in Business Administration and currently works for the Federal Government as a Contracting Officer. Don has been a member of Hopeful Lutheran Church since 2006. He has three grown children, Nick, daughter-in-law Starr, Eric and Lauren and two granddaughters, Heidi and Dakota.
Zane Ensley, Vice President
Born and raised in Florence Kentucky, Zane was raised Lutheran and recently started attending Hopeful Lutheran Church with his mother in 2018. Zane is currently a History Major at NKU. He also works in Security for the William Howard Taft Museum in Cincinnati. Along with his passion for Martin Luther and his teachings, he uses this knowledge to aid Hopeful’s confirmation classes.
Angie Bailie, Treasurer
Angie was born and raised in Greenville, Ohio, and graduated from Miami University. She married her college sweetheart, Jim Bailie, in 1982 and moved to northern Kentucky. The family started attending Hopeful in 1990, and have been active in many aspects of the church life. She has 3 grown sons: Sam, Mike, and Tom, as well as a daughter-in-law (Angela) and 3 granddaughters. After 36 years of teaching, Angie retired at the end of the 2018 school year (big smile!).
Toni Stelle, Secretary
Toni was born and raised in South Dakota. She, her husband, and two sons moved to this area from Montana in 1995; and became members at HLC a year later.
Toni recently retired after a 38 year career with Delta Air Lines. She and her husband, Steve are enjoying their retirement and staying busy with outdoor activities and adventures, some traveling, volunteering at church, and time spent with their children and grandchildren.
Brent Ramsey, Financial Secretary
Brent served 30 years in the Navy and 23 years in Navy Civil Service. He is a retired Captain. In the Navy he specialized in financial management and logistics. His favorite assignments were Commanding Officer, Cargo Handling Battalion TWELVE and Executive Director, Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport. He was President of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Gulfport, MS for 10 years. He was member/Secretary of the Military Advisory Group for Congressman Mark Meadows (NC-11) for 4 years. He founded and led the Smoky Mountains Satellite, WNC MOAA for 5 years. He writes extensively on National Defense matters. He is Director at Large for STARRS, Inc., an educational 501c3 organization that works to strengthen and unify the military. Currently serves as Financial Secretary and Council member, Foundation Board member and Secretary, and Cemetery Board member. Brent and Susan reside in Union, KY and have 2 sons and 5 grandsons.
Doug Bine
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George Frank
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Miranda Mullins
I have attended Hopeful Lutheran Church my entire life. I have an identical twin, she is my best friend. I have been married for 7.5 years. I am a Stay at Home Mommy of 2 wild and crazy boys. I enjoy sewing, home decorating and sitting around a fire. My absolute favorite things are snuggling with my boys and that first sip of coffee in the morning. I love living in the country and enjoy simpler times.
Nichole Jackson
Nichole ..
Cindy Rigsby
Originally from Peoria, IL, Cindy moved to Northern KY with her husband Terry in 2005. They have 3 kids, Ryan, Ross and Reese. She has attended Hopeful Lutheran Church since 2006. She graduated from University of Illinois with a degree in Business Management and currently works as a Business Manager for Wing Eyecare. She enjoys music, cooking and spending time with family. Cindy serves on the Worship Team.
Robert Sanz
Robert Sanz was born in Bloomington Indiana. Rob has a degree in Internet technology, he has spent his career as an Executive Chef with Marriott, Fidelity and Xavier University. A member of Hopeful Church family since 2001 he and his Wife Lorraine of 27 years with three grown children Tyler, Joey and Chris, Rob in his spare time enjoys Golf, Bicycling and Gardening
Heather Schreck
I have been attending Hopeful Lutheran Church since 1986 – when I was just 2 years old. I was confirmed and Married at Hopeful. Throughout my years at Hopeful I have enjoyed singing in the Choir, teaching Sunday School, VBS, and working with the High School youth. I have been Married to Adam for almost 10 years and we have two daughters, Emma (8) and Abby (6). Outside of Church I enjoy music, board games, travel and mom life.
Rachel Warren
Rachel was raised in Temperance, MI, and is a “lifer” in the Lutheran Church. Member of St. Luke’s until a job relocation to Northern Kentucky in 2001 where she joined Hopeful. Graduated from Central Michigan University in 1994 with degrees in Political Science and Economics. Worked in manufacturing operations, fulfillment, print and sales for 25 years.
Laura Watson
Laura was born and raised in Tonawanda, NY. She worked as a dental assistant from 1986-1993. She and her young family moved to Western KY in 1993. The move enabled her to be a stay-at-home mom. In 2002 they moved to Florence, KY. She has been employed by the Boone County Board of Education since 2007 working in food service at Ryle High School in Union, KY. In 1997 she served as president of Moms Like Us, a non-profit local chapter of American Mothers, Inc. (AMI). As a national conference member, she assisted mothers in need, and helped to create a children’s international language book section at the library in Hopkinsville, KY. She was the 1997 Mother of Young Children Representative for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She is a Kentucky Colonel. She regularly visits residents at Boonespring Nursing Home. She and her grown family reside in the Northern Kentucky area.
Izzy Wichmann, Student Advisor
Izzy is a freshman at Conner High School and serves as our youth representative for Council. In her spare time Izzy dances, plays in a band, and reads. She hopes to help grow our youth ministry. Izzy also serves on the Youth and Family team.