about us

Our Story

It Started Under a Mango Tree...

Keith and Susan Spurgin sat in Thailand with friends and mentors, Doug and Charlene Fike. As they talked, Keith shared a dream of starting a church where anyone was welcome... where people far from God would be loved right where they were at and find new hope.

In the late 90's, the Spurgins left the mission field of Hong Kong, China and came back to the States to pastor at their home church in Lucas, TX. Not forgetting the dream God had put in their heart, they pulled together a team of three families, committed to praying for and reaching the community of Wylie. Over the next year, this small team grew to 50 people, all devoted to sharing the transforming love of God with the spiritually disconnected.

On January 3rd, 1999, New Hope celebrated it's first Sunday in The Wylie Opry on downtown Ballard St. It was a humble beginning of blue velour curtains, a confederate flag decorating the back wall, and the smell of Saturday night's popcorn still lingering in the air. There was nothing flashy or showy. But despite it's rough exterior, real lives were being changed. People showed up from all walks of life, and they were met by a family who loved them and cared about their story. Hope was offered to despairing hearts. Community was found for the loneliest soul. Connection with a loving God was available to anyone, regardless of their past, their clothing, their lifestyle.

The church grew and moved into Birmingham Elementary on Brown Street. Instead of flags, a mural of children's book characters decorated a school cafeteria... and still, real people with real problems continued to come and experience love and acceptance. Eventually, New Hope bought land down the street from the school and began to build it's own place. The building has become yet another avenue for the church to engage the world around us, not only internationally, but right here in the community of Wylie. The building not only serves as a home for New Hope, but also houses Hope Rising Preschool and has often been a meeting place for The Bridge Cafe, local scout troops, jiu-jitsu lessons, running groups, etc. More now than ever, we fight to be who God originally called us to be... a church for the church-less. A place where you can be known and loved, regardless.

While the stories of transformation and freedom and hope are very real, so has been the struggle to stay true to our values. New Hope has developed a reputation for welcoming those others might not welcome, and often catches flack for it's varied crew. But we were never called to reach the perfect. We were called to reach people, however they may come. Broken. Hurting. Messed-up. Just like us. People who no longer have to feel far from God.

Season of Transition

Since New Hope began we’ve been about celebrating and empowering the next generation. The church doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to its architect and his name is Jesus. As a result, we hold titles loosely and do our best to not take ourselves too seriously.

In that light, Keith and Susan Spurgin (who started New Hope in 1999 with a small band of hardy companions) came to our Elder Team in January of 2024 and shared that they believed it was time to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders who would take New Hope forward. Over the next 12 months the Elder Team prayed, sought the Lord, and had courageous conversations about who would be next up for leading New Hope.

This video gives a peak behind the curtain of that process and its results. We hope you will join the journey with us into New Hope’s best days.

Additional information can be found HERE

Our Values

Beliefs Are Not Worth Much Unless They Are Translated into Actions.

Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

People

People are God’s highest priority, therefore every individual on the planet is valuable. Every person matters so we will live and act so they know that is true. Because every person matters we will seek to be a place where people can belong before they believe; where people aren’t just welcome but wanted. If someone looks out of place, we want to be their place.

We will love people fiercely and relentlessly especially when it's painful.

Leviticus 19:34, Micah 6:8, Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:29-31, John 13:34-35

Openness and Transparency

We are designed for connection and authentic vulnerability is the key. We will strive to be a safe place where people can be open and transparent. This allows others to feel free to open their lives up as well which is the beginning of genuine community.

God operates in the light and the enemy operates in darkness. When we live in the light it helps others know they are still loved and gives them hope. It also helps us to see ourselves the way Jesus does and guards us from pride. God won’t heal what I’m unwilling to reveal so, transparency is essential to becoming free and healthy people.

We Will Be Open and Transparent Even When It's Uncomfortable in Order to Remain Authentic and Connected.

Genesis 1:1-3, John 3:20-21, 8:12, Ephesians 5:8-13, 1 John 1:5-7, 2:8-10, James 5:16

Growth and Transformation

The spirit of God draws us toward the character and nature of Jesus. He leads us on a lifelong journey, inviting us to change, to grow, to become more of who He calls and creates us to be. He doesn’t force. He doesn’t drag. He waits on our “yes”. As we embrace this transforming work in our lives, we understand that none of us has arrived and are able to extend grace to others on their own journey beside us. God sees us just as we are and loves us. His invitation is ever present in calling us forward, toward his best.

We Choose to Lean in and Embrace Growth and Transformation Even When It Hurts.

Matthew 5-7, Luke 2:52, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Community

At its core the Kingdom of God is relational because God himself is a loving relationship of Father, Son, and Spirit. Therefore, love should be the first word on our lips and also the last, and everything we say and do should begin and end with loving relationships. It is the quality of our relationships with others, especially those we disagree with, that is the best reflection of our love for God. Community is the testing ground of our faith.

We Will Seek to Live out Healthy Relationships with Heartfelt Intensity Particularly When We Don't Agree.

John 13:34-35, 15:12, 17:20-21, 1John 4:7-8, 20-21, Romans 12:9-21

Frequently Asked Questions

Leadership

Nothing great happens without great leadership. Critics and cynics don’t change the world, leaders do; because leaders take responsibility for their impact on others. We acknowledge and accept our individual invitations to lead right where we are. Regardless of title or the reach of our role, we choose to engage our Sphere with intentional Christ-qualities (Government, Family, Religion, Science & Technology, Art & Entertainment, Business, Media, and Education).

We Will Take ‘Bet the Farm’ Risks to Empower and Develop Leaders Who Change the World.

Matthew 5:14-16, 20:20-28, Acts 1:6-9, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:11-12

Connecting the Disconnected

Our vision is to connect the disconnected. Jesus was attractional and missional so we will seek to be the same when we gather for worship and in our personal lives. We choose to learn about the culture to understand and engage it rather than expecting it to understand and engage us.

We Will Do Everything Short of Compromise to Bridge People to Jesus.

Genesis 18:18, Jonah, Matthew 9:9-13, 22:1-14, 25:34-36, 28:19-20, Revelation 7:9

Giving God Our Best

Every aspect of our lives belongs to God. That means we should approach each moment with an uncommon intentionality and thoughtfulness. From the quality and consistency of our attendance and presence at Sunday morning worship; to the loving service we offer our friends, family, and community; to the way we direct our time, energy, and money. Everything matters and should flow from who God has designed us to be. Giving God our best is not some bizarre attempt to earn God’s love, but simply taking responsibility for the life he has given us.

We Will Discover Who God Has Designed Us to Be and Live with Intentionality and Excellence.

Malachi 3:6-12, Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:31

Empowered by the Spirit

God is always with us but we want to experience His presence, power and passion. This means embracing both the fruit and gifts of the Spirit so that we can serve those in need. The Spirit points us to Jesus and calls us to repentance. He gifts and empowers us to live free lives of purpose and significance.

We Will Pursue the Intimacy and Passion of the Spirit so That We Are Empowered to Change the World for Good.

Matthew 3:11, John 7:37-39, 14:26, 16:7-15, Luke 11:11-13, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Galatians 5:22-26 2 Timothy 1:7

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Our Vision

We Envision a Spiritual Family Who Loves God, Creates Community, and Engages the World...

We endeavor to do this by constantly encouraging one another to put Jesus first in our lives and providing meaningful opportunities for others to do the same.

We envision a Sunday morning experience that is charged with the presence of God, infused with lively and quality worship, anchored by an engaging (anointed) speaker, and peppered with creative connections for the spiritually-disconnected.

We envision those far from God becoming disciples of Jesus who change the world by making disciples. We envision Life Groups with welcoming atmosphere, engaging leadership, enjoyable fellowship, open and transparent discussion, and personal ministry.

We envision a growth process (New Hope Foundations) that helps people discover Jesus and find handles for doing business with God; provides tools for discovering their gifts, purpose and calling; teaches people to live a spirit-filled life and take responsibility for their own growth; and launches people into their spheres of influence (arts/entertainment, business, church, education, family, government, media).

We envision a vibrant spiritual family that will constantly look outside of itself to love a lost and dying world by being a launching pad for apostolic initiatives such as church planting, world missions, and helping the poor and needy here and abroad.

We envision a church that is creating a tipping point for the Kingdom of God in the Wylie area by influencing 10% of the population on a weekly basis; providing spiritual support, encouragement, and accountability to churches, ministries, and marketplace endeavors; and intentionally touching the 7 spheres of influence.

about us

Our Story

It Started Under a Mango Tree...

Season of Transition

Our Values

Beliefs Are Not Worth Much Unless They Are Translated into Actions.

Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following practices.

Slide title

Our Vision

We Envision a Spiritual Family Who Loves God, Creates Community, and Engages the World...

our staff

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