Kirk Belmont
Senior Lead Pastor

Kirk was born and raised in Fairport, NY - a suburb of Rochester. He attended Cedarville College where he met his best friend and wife, Valerie, at an ice skating party in 1988. They were married in June of 1990 and then moved to Indiana where Kirk completed his master's degree at Grace Theological Seminary. After 15 years in pastoral ministry Kirk headed back to school and in 2010 earned a doctorate in Advanced Missional Leadership from Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, PA.

Kirk’s greatest joy in life is living rightly and helping others live rightly. He says, “What else can be more fun and provide more joy than having the right attitude, the right response, and doing the right thing in all the challenges and circumstances of life. Life is hard and there is nothing better than doing it rightly. I believe that rightness is revealed in Jesus, whom I have discovered through serious questioning, searching, and reflection in the Bible and other works of history. I've discovered him to be "The way the truth and the life." John 14:6.”

Kimberly Austin
Explosion Youth Director

Kimberly was born in New Jersey where she lived as the daughter of a pastor with her mother and two siblings.  At the age of 11, her family was called to serve as missionaries to the people of Indonesia on the island of Kalimantan. While there, Kimberly taught Bible Clubs to the dayak children and also taught the women how to read in the Indonesian language.  She graduated from Liberty University where she met her husband, Tony.  While living in Lynchburg Virginia, Kimberly served as a children's Sunday School teacher at Thomas Road Baptist Church.  She now lives in Mount Joy with her husband and two children. Kim has worked in youth ministry for 9 years previous to serving as Youth Ministry Director at Hope since 2010. Some of her hobbies are reading, photography, and spending time with family. Her favorite verse is, Psalm 28:7 ^“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. “

Becky Beaston
Kingdom Kids Director

Becky was born and raised in Lancaster county and graduated from Lancaster Bible College. She has been involved in Children's Ministry for 20 years and has served as the Children's Ministry Director at Hope since 2006.   She and her husband live in Elizabethtown with their one son. Some of Becky's hobbies include reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31- "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

James Joseph
Director of Worship

 James was born and raised in Minersville, PA.   He moved to the area after graduating from Penn College of Technology.   He met his wife Julie at the Hershey Free Church, where they were part of the same worship team.  He and his wife have five children.  They live in the Hershey/Hummelstown area.  He is a Sr. Process Engineer for a local computer component manufacturer.   In his free time, he enjoys music, playing his guitar, hunting, fishing, going to the hunting camp, football, and times with the family.  

James comes to us after 20+ years of worship ministry at the Hershey Free Church.     James has always had a love and gift for music.  He plays guitar and sings.   He received his Bachelors degree in Bible/Ministry from Lancaster Bible College in 2010.  He has a deep desire to use his God given gifts and worship ministry experience to lead the “church” in worshiping the one true God in spirit and in truth.   

James views the following passage as an all encompassing outlook on life;  "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” -Philippians 4:4–8 NIV.

Jaime Plank
Administrative Assistant

Jaime has been a part of Hope's community since 2011 and on staff since April 2014. Jaime's laughter echoes through the office and always makes the rest of the team wonder what she is up to now (since she usually is up to something).  Finding meaningful and dynamic ways to communicate to those in our community is a passion of hers.  In addition to serving in the office, Jaime volunteers with the Explosion Youth team and gives leadership to the Communication Team.

Jaime has been married for 24 years to Terry.  They have 2 grown sons and 2 amazing grand-daughters. In her free time, you might find Jaime writing a post for her blog called Grace-Period or in the field with her shotgun and a French Brittany pup.  As her blog's tag line reads, Jaime is living in her grace-period by grace, period.

 Her favorite verse is Galatians 5:1, "It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."