In Fall 2000, Hope Presbyterian Church began as a mission work of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) with four families from the Henry County area. These families sought out the PCA because they wanted to be part of a Biblical, Reformed, and Missions-focused church.
Sunday worship services were held in a storefront in Collinsville, VA. During this time, Hope was known as “Shining Light Presbyterian Church,” and Rev. Bryan Keith pastored the flock. Several churches in the Blue Ridge Presbytery supported the young congregation with prayers, encouragement, and financial gifts. Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Roanoke, VA adopted us as a mission church. Draper’s Valley Presbyterian in Draper, Eagle Heights Presbyterian in Winchester, and Grace Presbyterian in Lexington were also regular contributors to the ministry.
In 2002, the church put together its first budget. Obedience to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ was top priority. Over 10 percent of the budget was set aside to support local and foreign missionaries.
In June 2002, Rev. Doug Hart was called to serve as Organizing Pastor of the church. 2002 was the first year Hope made a budget as a congregation. a top priority in this first budget, with over 10 percent pledged to local and foreign missionaries. Richard and Robyn Crane with Mission to the World (MTW) became the first foreign missionaries regularly supported. Local missions supported included the Crisis Pregnancy Center, Mission Center, and Henry County Good News Jail Ministry
In February 2003, the congregation held its first meeting at 601 East Church St in Martinsville. The house was purchased for $67,000. The owners generously reduced the price from $85,000, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Roanoke loaned $10,000 for the down-payment. The house took many months to renovate. Great effort by the congregation was put into wallpaper removal, floor sanding, roof painting, brickwork, walls removed, interior cleaning and painting.
In May 2003, the name of the church was change from Shining Light Presbyterian to Hope Presbyterian Church. That summer, the first annual Vacation Bible School Mission Week was held. The youth from Westminster Presbyterian came to help out, led by Bryan and Tracey Keith.
In January 2004, Hope began offering Sunday School classes for all ages. The adult class spent the first year going through the Westminster Confession of Faith.
In August 2004, Hope sent out its first missionary, Diana Camenisch. Diana served as a mission school teacher in Spain from August 2004 to June 2005.
In July 2005, Hope held its second annual VBS Missions Week. Teams from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Roanoke and Grace Church in Lexington came to help.
In fall 2005, the first four elders were elected, and Hope Presbyterian was organized as a particular church. Doug Hart stepped down and Rev. Bryan Keith was called as Stated Supply by the new session.
Chaplain Gilleran in Iraq
In August 2006, the session called Rev. David Gilleran to be the pastor. Before coming to Hope Presbyterian, Pastor Gilleran had served in Iraq as a chaplain with the 711th Signal Battalion, Alabama Army National Guard. Before his unit was activated into Federal Service, Pastor Gilleran had served as a church planter/pastor in Daphne, AL. Pastor Gilleran went back to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 134th Chaplain Support Team, Virginia Army National Guard.
Today, Hope Presbyterian Church has grown from its 10 original members to approximately 45 today. The emphasis on missions continues with the most recent trips to Mexico, Cherokee and New Orleans. We desire to see God glorified as the gospel of Jesus Christ is believed and lived out in a community of hope. By preaching and teaching the truths of Scripture and by cultivating loving relationships with each other and with our neighbors, we seek to serve the needs of the Martinsville area and Southside Virginia community with mercy and joy.