Good Hope Staff

Pastor Mike Stevens has been a church planter since 2000. He and his wife Tranette have three grown sons. Pastor Mike grew up in a non-Christian home but was saved at the age of 19 due to the miraculous intervention of God. After some years of battling to understand the things of God, Mike was touched by the Holy Spirit and a love for the imperfect church was added to his love and concern for the lost. Since then, he has endeavored to serve God humbly, be led by the Spirit, and advance the cause of Christ however possible. Education and Ministry Experience: Pastor Mike received a BA in Philosophy from Bemidji State and an MA in Philosophy from Northern Illinois University. Later he completed his course work for ministry credentials through Berean University. Pastor Mike has served as a Sunday School Teacher, Worship Leader, Grounds Keeper, Janitor, Small Group Leader, Youth Leader, Youth Center Coordinator, Mission’s Trip Coordinator, and Church Planter/Pastor. Email Pastor Mike 

Pastor Mike
What do you like most about your job? Seeing God do great things for people!
What items could you not go without during the day? My coffee cup
Roller Coasters? Oh yeah!
Your Happy Place: BWCA
Phobia: Those little birds that fly into your head!
Something Underrated: A deep breath of cool air

Tranette
What do you like most about your job? The variety of the things I get to do and experience
Hobbies: Nuh uh, you’d think I was boring
Nickname: Turnit
Favorite Smell: Baby’s heads
Roller Coasters? Bring it on!
What would you change your name to, if you had to? Something people could spell

Email Daniel

Makayla grew up in a Christian home and was very passionate to learn more about God since she was young. She was homeschooled since 2nd grade, and at 9 years old, she decided to go into ministry when she got older. She has always loved working with kids, and in high school was a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons. She graduated high school with her associate’s degree, spent a school year at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks on a swimming scholarship where she took classes in psychology and early childhood development, and is now pursuing pastoral certification through the Assemblies of God. She is always up for an adventure and is happy to be back in the Duluth area where some of her favorite time is spent outdoors with friends. Email Makayla

Pastor Daniel
What do you most like about your job? Getting to know people of all ages
Favorite ice cream: All of it
Hobbies: Working out
Roller coasters: Sure! When do we go?
Pet peeve: Doing nothing
Biggest fear: Getting 2nd in card games

Pastor Makayla
Favorite Ice Cream: Anything with caramel!
Hobbies: snowboarding, hiking, crafts
Favorite Color: Teal
Nickname: Kayla
My Happy Place: Jamaica
Something Underrated: Tea

Mike and Jodie have been married since 2000 and have three children – Josie, Ian, and Josiah. They live in Cloquet and enjoy the small town feel. In 2017, the enemy tried to destroy their marriage which, by God’s grace and goodness, was saved and led to a huge transformation in their faith and walk with God. This propelled them further into their calling of becoming a pastor and speaker and into a marriage ministry. Mike and Jodie enjoy serving in all capacities of ministry. Email Pastor Mike Jurek

Mike’s Questions:
What do you like most about your job? Serving people
Hobbies: music production, canoeing/camping, playing guitar
Morning person or night owl? Both? Although night owl will always win
Favorite smell: Cows. I know, it’s weird.
Your happy place: BWCAW
What would you change your name to if you had to? Stanley

Jodie’s Questions:
What do you like most about your job? The flexible hours (stay-at-home mom)
Hobbies: Kayaking, snowshoeing, crafts, & playing my ukulele
Pet peeve: People comparing books to movies
Morning person or night owl: Night owl
Favorite color: orange
Something Underrated: The power of a nap and a snack

Mike and Shannon have been married since 2003. They have 2 adult children, Logen and Kaydence and 2 amazing grandsons named Maddix and Leo. Mike and Shannon were called into full time ministry and left the comfort of Washington State to Duluth, MN to help plant a church. In 2023, Mike and Shannon moved to North Texas for 10 months before God would bring them home. In May of 2025, an opportunity came for joining Good Hope as the new Leed Pastor of a new church plant, Good Hope Lakewood.

Mike’s Questions:
What do you like most about your job: Meeting and Preaching
Hobbies: Playing drums and fishing
Whyat item could you no go without during the day: Red Bull
Your phobia or biggest fear: Growing taller
Your happy place: At home with Shannon
What would you change your name to if you had to: Mike seems to be pretty popular, so I think I’ll keep it. I’m finally one of the cool kids.

Shannon’s Questions:
What are your hobbies: Painting and crafts
What is your nickname: Not really a nickname, but everyone messes my name up with “Sarah”
What do you waste the most money on: Coca-Cola
Morning person or night owl: A little of both
Favorite smell: Warm apple pie
Something Underrated: Sarcasm

Heather was raised going to church and tried to be a “good girl” because she knew that she “should be.”  Following one failure after another, after another, she finally gave up, not understanding that God never expected her to do it without the aid of the Holy Spirit. She was finally saved in 1998 and has never looked back.

Heather is grateful to be married to a wonderful, hard-working man (Doug), and to be a homeschool mom with two boys.  She has lived as much of her life as she could manage in Northern MN and hopes to never have to leave again.  She finds joy in any activity her boys still allow her to participate in with them, snuggling with them on the couch while watching movies, and watching the change of seasons outside her dining room window – her most favorite view anywhere. Email Heather

Favorite thing about your job – I feel more fulfilled, alive, and complete while worshipping than at any other time. And missions is just an extension of worship, in my mind.

Hobbies – Gardening, research, & learning almost anything new.
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Smell: The smell after a thunderstorm.
Favorite Beverage: Can’t get through a day without coffee but kombucha is probably my favorite beverage.
Roller Coasters? I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS!
Something Underrated: Eating clean

Nicole was a troubled teenager looking for hope in all the wrong places. She knew of God, but didn’t know about a relationship with Him. She experienced God’s presence for the first time in 2002 and has never looked back.

Nicole has a passion to share Christ with others and for them to experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. She received her credentials through the Assemblies of God in 2021.

Nicole married the love of her life, Corey, the summer of 2003. She is the mother of 2 middle school aged children. She loves serving God with her family. You can find her doing just about any outdoor activity or engaging in conversation over a cup of coffee in her free time. Email Nicole

Nicole
What do you like most about your job? Connecting with people & watching God move in people’s lives
Favorite ice cream: Peppermint Bon Bon
Morning Person or Night Owl? LOVE mornings
Favorite Type of Music: 1930-1960’s Jazz/Swing
Favorite Smell: Donuts
What do you waste the most money on? Coffee

Katie was raised in Duluth in a wonderful Christian home. Growing up, she loved being on the puppet team and helping with worship for kid’s church and Awanas. Little did she know, God was preparing her for now. She was blessed to attend Lakeview Christian Academy from Kindergarten until she graduated from high school and LSC with an AA degree in 2019. Her first job was serving up delicious food and ice cream at Bridgeman’s. She started teaching art at Lakeview Christian Academy in 2021 and loved it. After praying and asking God where to go to church, she heard Good Hope’s ad on the radio. It was a great fit and she has made so many lasting friendships here. She loves looking back and seeing Jesus’ hand in every moment -the twists and turns in her life. His plans are so much greater than our own.

Email Katie

Katie
What do you like most about your job? Working with kids
Favorite ice cream: Raspberry fudge torte
Hobbies: Knitting & gardening
Pet Peeve: Animals eating out of my garden
Favorite smell: Right after a thunderstorm
What do you waste the most money on? Books

Celia grew up in a Christian home but never had a church to call home. She would attend church with a friend for youth group and sometimes on Sundays growing up. Once she left home, she fell away from God and didn’t attend church for years. After meeting with Pastor Mike, she knew Good Hope Church was the place she wanted to raise her family with her husband Greg. She has been with Good Hope Church since it began in 2010. She has been married to Greg since 2010 and a mother of 5, one heavenly, which is part of her testimony on how God meets you no matter where you are in your walk with Him. She received her credentials through the Assemblies of God in March 2016.  Email Pastor Celia

What do you like most about your job? Always getting to meet & know new people.
Nickname: Celery
Favorite Beverage: Cherry Coke
Hobbies: Can you have hobbies when you have kids?
What item could you not go without during the day? COFFEEEE
Something underrated: In-person relationships (not over social media)

Darren grew up in a Christian family that has attended Good Hope Church since it began in 2010. He fell away from his walk with God in the winter of 2020. This was a time of figuring out who he was, removed from his family’s faith, and working out his own personal faith walk. In 2023, a friend invited him back to Good Hope, and he experienced God’s peace in a way he never had before – he knew he was back home! He quickly got back into serving on the weekends and throughout the week, jumping in wherever was needed. In April of 2024, he was hired on full time as the Groups & Volunteer Coordinator.

He is passionate about connecting people and helping them recognize and utilize their God-given gifts, all while making them feel appreciated. Email Darren

Ryan is an experienced graphic designer, web developer, and filmmaker of 25+ years. He has been creating graphics and video part-time for Good Hope Church since 2010 and was brought on full-time starting in 2020. He thrives on creative challenges, and his faith guides his principles.​ Email Ryan

What do you like most about your job? My team
Hobbies: Video editing, photography, hiking, fishing (including ice fishing), camping, watching movies
Favorite Color: Pantone 5405
Favorite Smell: Campfire
Roller Coasters? Yes
What would you change your name to, if you had to? Mike