Hope is blessed to have a wonderful Leadership Team. Feel free to contact any team member for information.
Our Leadership team
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Stephen R. Schmidt
Lead Pastor
Pastor Steve Schmidt moved from Connecticut in late August 2012 to become the new Lead Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church. For fifteen years he has served as lead pastor for St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, CT. Pastor Steve began his pastoral ministry serving a mission congregation in Vermont and then spent fifteen years in campus ministry, serving on the campuses of Williams College, Denison University and Connecticut College. Pastor Steve is married to Joyce Guggenberger Schmidt, who is originally from Minnesota. They have two adult daughters, Sarah and Rebekah, who both work in higher education. Steve enjoys hiking, working out at the gym regularly, reading, gardening, and cooking.
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Alex Ohman
Vicar/Pastoral Intern
Vicar Alex and his wife Aly (Alyssa) moved to Bozeman for his one year internship from Pelican Rapids, MN. Alex is in his final year at Luther Seminary, he will graduate with a Masters of Divinity at the end of his internship. Alex has served as the Student Council President at Luther Seminary for the 2019-2020 academic year. Before Seminary, Alex worked and served as a Development Officer for the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. He has also worked for the Central NC Council of the Boy Scouts of America as a District Executive and Development Director. Alex graduated Magna Cum Laude from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI.
Alex and his wife Aly, a dance teacher and director of Summit Dance School, enjoy fishing, hiking, cooking, exploring, and watching shows on Netflix. Their current show is Portlandia.
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Paul Goodman
Director of Youth and Family Ministeries
Paul Goodman has been working in ministry at Hope Lutheran church since February 2010. He oversees all programs relating to children, youth and families. Paul is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and still has family there. He graduated from Capital University with a bachelor’s degree in education. For the past 13 years Paul has worked in various ministry capacities including outdoor ministry and for 6 years as director of youth and family ministry in a Lutheran Church in Florida. While working in Florida, Paul met his wife Heidi. Paul has a musical background and plays the saxophone and guitar. Paul and Heidi have a daughter named Emma. In their spare time they enjoy hiking, camping, and skiing.
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Dick Deschamps
LPA
Dick has been a member of Hope since 1997. Since his retirement from USDA in 2013, Dick completedthe course of study to become a Lay Pastoral Assistant or LPA. In this volunteer position he serves in apastoral role at Hope and is available to serve at other ELCA congregations in the Montana Synod. In addition Dick works with the men's ministry and small group ministry, is a Stephen's Minister at Hope;and is the Lutheran Disaster Response liaison for the Montana Synod. Dick is married and has two grown children. Dick's hobbies include woodworking, skiing, restoring old tractors, horsemanship, and enjoying the great outdoors.
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Pete Astrup
Facilities Director
Pete and his wife Nancy have been members of Hope since 1990. Pete has worked in the church office since August 2007 and is responsible for managing the church office staff, the facility, and day-to-day finances.
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Jen Poore
Church Office Associate
Jen Poore moved from Detroit to Bozeman in 2002 with her husband Vince and their son Cameron. Prior to that, she worked as a computer programmer. The three Poores enjoy the slower pace of life in Bozeman. All three are self-described computer geeks, and the router is always lit up when they're not out walking their dog in the neighborhood or at the dog park.
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John Parris
Sexton/Custodian
Married: 37 Years
Children: Steven, Sean, Shelly, John, Daniel
Education: High School, Various Military Schools, Submarine Repair Journeyman
Job Experience: Machine Shop, Lumber Mill, U.S. Navy Machinist Mate Chief (Retired), Hospital Chief Engineer, Custodian.
