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    Email Tranette

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

Tom grew up in Cloquet and Gaby was born in Brazil and raised in Belgium. They met while attending Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. They were married in April of 2020 and graduated a month later with theology degrees. Together, they want to live for Jesus and build a beautiful family.

Tom and Gaby felt called to move back to Tom’s hometown to serve people and the church in Cloquet. God has placed a burden in their hearts for young people and their desire is to be to the youth who they needed when they were younger.   Email Pastor Tom         Email Pastor Gaby

Tom
Night out or night in? Night out with the right friends.
What items could you not go without during the day? Sadly, my phone.
Favorite ice cream: Cookie Dough
Morning person or night owl? night owl
Favorite color: matte black
Favorite smell: My wife’s food.

Gaby
What do you like most about your job? Serving people
Favorite ice cream: Banana Split
Roller coasters? Yes, please
Favorite color: black, white, red
What would you change your name to if you had to? Something shorter than “Emily Gabriela”.
Favorite beverage: Brazilian soda called “Guaraná”.

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

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

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

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

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)

Bio to come…

Email 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

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