Our Staff

A Community of Service

At Hope Lutheran Church, we believe in the "Office of the Keys"—the biblical truth that Christ entrusts his followers with the mission and care of His church. Because of this, our ministry is powered by the dedication of volunteers. Aside from our Pastor, our staff and leadership serve purely out of a shared love for Christ and our Jacksonville neighbors, ensuring that every resource is focused on our Mission and Vision.

"Pastor Pat" - Reverend Patrick McKenzie

Pastor Pat McKenzie hails from Joliet, Illinois. He is a graduate of Joliet West High School, Concordia College-Milwaukee, and Concordia Seminary-St. Louis. He did his post-graduate work at Bethany Seminary in Dothan, Alabama where he focused on Christian Education.

He has served congregations in Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York. He was the Chaplain of the Fire Department in New York.

He serves as the board secretary for Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida. Pastor Pat will be the Circuit Visitor for the First Coast Circuit of the Florida-Georgia District beginning June of 2022.

His training in counseling and conflict resolution came through the Leadership Institute of America.

His favorite Bible passage is Philippians 4: 4-7 "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 every situation, 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."

Dean of Elders

Rick Charlton

The Dean of Deacons acts as the lead servant-leader, focusing on the spiritual and physical well-being of the congregation.

Spiritual Care: Assists the Pastor in tending to the spiritual needs of the members.
Ministry Support: Coordinates the work of other deacons and elders to ensure worship services and outreach programs run smoothly.
Congregational Connection: Acts as a bridge between the leadership and the needs of individual families.

Church President

Daryl Siewert

The Church President serves as the primary lay leader, overseeing the business affairs and strategic direction of the congregation.

Executive Leadership: Ensures that all church activities and business decisions remain aligned with the Mission and Vision of the congregation.

Meeting Oversight: Presides over Church Council and congregational meetings to facilitate organized decision-making regarding resources and church direction.

Administrative Coordination: Works as a liaison between the Pastor, the Dean of Elders, and the office staff to ensure the "logistical engine" of the church is running smoothly.

Community Representation: Acts as a representative for the lay members of the church in matters of church governance and community outreach.

Office Staff

Lois Charlton and Cathy Duplisea

Our office volunteers are the logistical "engine" of the church, managing the daily operations that keep our community connected.

Communication: Manages church correspondence, bulletins, and the Hope Happenings newsletter.
Record Keeping: Maintains accurate membership records and coordinates the church calendar.
Administrative Hospitality: Provides the first point of contact for visitors and manages the practical needs of the church facility.

Community & Fellowship Leaders

John & Coralee Leimer

Our Community & Fellowship Leaders coordinate Hope’s hospitality ministries — from food and gift drives supporting local families, to weekly fellowship refreshments, children’s messages, and creative puppet shows shared both at Hope and in senior care facilities. They help our church live out compassion, joy, and connection in everything we do.