Emily Hammond
I started attending New Hope consistently a couple years into my time at K-State, and pretty quickly became a member of this sweet community. At the very beginning of that time, I had just returned from spending a summer overseas. One of the best parts in preparing to leave and in returning from that summer was the family from New Hope that was committed to praying and supporting my team while we were in Central Asia. They had us over for dinner before we left, and they were so intentional in investing in us. It was also special that they were friends with the family that we were going to spend the summer with - everything about it made New Hope feel not only like a sweet community, but like a big family that we were supported and loved in both in leaving and in returning.
When we returned from Central Asia, I felt strongly that God was calling me to move back overseas long-term. New Hope was full of people who recognized that desire in me and helped cultivate that desire in how I lived while finishing my degree, as well as casted vision for my life post-college. I felt like everyone in the church - Pastor Dick, the elders, and other members - were supportive of what I felt God was calling me to, which has greatly encouraged me as I prepare to spend the next couple of years back in Central Asia. Now, I would not only consider New Hope my home church but my family, as I feel so seen, loved, and encouraged by the community that I know here.
Based on my experience with New Hope, I am so excited for us to have our own building to meet in and serve our community out of. The future building’s proximity to campus will provide a way to love students and serve them in ways that New Hope has not been able to before. I think that students would love to know that New Hope, the community that sees them and loves them well, also has a safe place for them to be in throughout the week. It would increase the feeling of a “home away from home” for college students, as well as a sense of ownership within the church.
