Meet Our Lead Pastor
Pastor James and Sharon Detweiler.
Pastor Jim is our lead Pastor at Hope Christian Church. Born in PA, raised in a Christian home, Pastor Jim came to know the Lord at a very young age. Pastor Jim met the love of his life, Sharon, and married when they were both teenagers.
Soon after they were married the Lord laid it on their hearts for Pastor Jim to attend Zion Bible College. While a student at Zion they were blessed with (3) wonderful sons, Nathan, Nicholas (born with Cornelia DeLange) & Joshua. Following graduation Pastor Jim worked a secular job while ministering serving as a youth pastor, a youth prison chaplain an assist the Pastor at a local church where he did receive a license to ministry.
Following the passing of their son, Nicholas, they moved back to PA to process their great loss. While there, Pastor Jim received his license with the Assemblies of God, May 10, 1996. He worked a secular job while serving a local church as the CE director, Sunday school teacher and preaching whenever he had the opportunity. He served faithfully at that church until 1999 when God moved them to Morning Star Fellowship, Bechtelsville PA. That’s where Pastor Jim & Sharon experienced a move of God that has changed their lives forever. While at that church they served on the Prayer team and were very involved with Cleansing Stream Ministries and small groups.
In 2000 God brought them back to New England to serve as the associate Pastor at Seaport Community Church in Groton, CT. They said hello and good-bye to many military families. Many lives were transformed during their ministry in Groton, CT. He received his Ordination with the Assemblies of God, May 13, 2003. Pastor Jim also served as the Project Manager for the new church building. Pastor Jim and Sharon also served as Chaplains for the Bess Eaton Company with Marketplace Ministries. After five years of fruitful ministry they knew God was moving them on so he prayed that God would call him within 50 miles of where he was currently serving.
God answered his prayer and brought him to be the Pastor of Hope Christian Church. Pastor Jim and Sharon have served side by side since April 2005. Since they have been here they have tirelessly worked and prayed about ways to reach out to our local community. May 2012 Pastor Jim was sworn in as the Chaplain of the North Haven Fire Department
northhavenfire.org/about-us/chaplains-corner/
Pastor continued his education and March 9, 2015 he was endorsed by the Assemblies of God as a Emergency Service Chaplain. Jim also serves as the Chaplain for the Connecticut Fire Instructors Association and is an active member of the CT Fire Chaplains Network.
Jim & Sharon have been blessed with three beautiful healthy grandchildren, Evan, Bryton and Kinsley. Their favorite call in life is being grandparents!
The love and warmth they have brought to the church is felt the moment you walk through the doors. Their passion is that you too would find Jesus as your Lord and Savior and a place to belong in our church family.
One of their favorite passages is Psalm 77:11-12:
But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
We look forward to getting to know you personally.
Pastor Jim & Sharon Detweiler
Soon after they were married the Lord laid it on their hearts for Pastor Jim to attend Zion Bible College. While a student at Zion they were blessed with (3) wonderful sons, Nathan, Nicholas (born with Cornelia DeLange) & Joshua. Following graduation Pastor Jim worked a secular job while ministering serving as a youth pastor, a youth prison chaplain an assist the Pastor at a local church where he did receive a license to ministry.
Following the passing of their son, Nicholas, they moved back to PA to process their great loss. While there, Pastor Jim received his license with the Assemblies of God, May 10, 1996. He worked a secular job while serving a local church as the CE director, Sunday school teacher and preaching whenever he had the opportunity. He served faithfully at that church until 1999 when God moved them to Morning Star Fellowship, Bechtelsville PA. That’s where Pastor Jim & Sharon experienced a move of God that has changed their lives forever. While at that church they served on the Prayer team and were very involved with Cleansing Stream Ministries and small groups.
In 2000 God brought them back to New England to serve as the associate Pastor at Seaport Community Church in Groton, CT. They said hello and good-bye to many military families. Many lives were transformed during their ministry in Groton, CT. He received his Ordination with the Assemblies of God, May 13, 2003. Pastor Jim also served as the Project Manager for the new church building. Pastor Jim and Sharon also served as Chaplains for the Bess Eaton Company with Marketplace Ministries. After five years of fruitful ministry they knew God was moving them on so he prayed that God would call him within 50 miles of where he was currently serving.
God answered his prayer and brought him to be the Pastor of Hope Christian Church. Pastor Jim and Sharon have served side by side since April 2005. Since they have been here they have tirelessly worked and prayed about ways to reach out to our local community. May 2012 Pastor Jim was sworn in as the Chaplain of the North Haven Fire Department
northhavenfire.org/about-us/chaplains-corner/
Pastor continued his education and March 9, 2015 he was endorsed by the Assemblies of God as a Emergency Service Chaplain. Jim also serves as the Chaplain for the Connecticut Fire Instructors Association and is an active member of the CT Fire Chaplains Network.
Jim & Sharon have been blessed with three beautiful healthy grandchildren, Evan, Bryton and Kinsley. Their favorite call in life is being grandparents!
The love and warmth they have brought to the church is felt the moment you walk through the doors. Their passion is that you too would find Jesus as your Lord and Savior and a place to belong in our church family.
One of their favorite passages is Psalm 77:11-12:
But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
We look forward to getting to know you personally.
Pastor Jim & Sharon Detweiler
