Pastor
pastor@newhopelc.org
The Rev. Chris Michaelis
The Reverend Chris Michaelis was called as Pastor of New Hope Lutheran Church in September 2016. He is originally from Arlington, Texas and received his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in May 2016. He also has a degree in International Business from Texas Tech University.
Pastor Chris has particular interests in worship and liturgical practice, and how our worship forms our faith. He is also passionate about the intersection of the life of faith and civic engagement, and is interested in the role and voice the church has in public discourse.
Pastor Chris and his wife, Tiffany, enjoy cooking, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and brunch. Pastor Chris also enjoys playing any percussion instrument and brewing beer.
Pastor Chris posts his sermons and blogs regularly at The Narrow Way, and can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Vicar and Campus Administrator
danny@newhopelc.org
Vicar Daniel Sigmon
Daniel (Danny) Sigmon is a 3rd year MDiv Student at Wartburg Theological Seminary and serves as Vicar and Campus Administrator at New Hope Lutheran Church. Before entering seminary, Danny enjoyed a 20-year career as a church musician, college professor, composer, and published writer on avian science and welfare topics. In 2019, he was humbled and honored to be a semi-finalist for the American Prize in Music. Danny is passionate about social justice and the LGBTQ+ community and hopes to bring this into his ministry after seminary.
Director of Music and Worship
worship@newhopelc.org
Jessica Myers
Jessica Myers has been the director of music and worship at New Hope Lutheran Church since August 2021 and is active in a myriad of musical ventures, including teaching, performing, conducting, vocal coaching, and instrumental coaching. Jessica has three degrees in piano performance and collaborative piano from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Houston and has performed across the US and in Europe. She has been lucky enough to collaborate with members of the Houston Symphony, Houston Chamber Choir, and Houston Grand Opera and served as a staff pianist at the University of Houston.
Jessica’s favorite work happens when she gets to connect her love of music with members of the community, as she believes strongly in the healing power of music. She enjoys her work conducting the New Hope Sanctuary Choir, accompanying for incredible music programs in Title I schools, teaching students from ages 4-99, and playing outreach programs with HGO for people in the unhoused and hospital communities. When she’s not making music, Jessica likes to do yoga and puzzles and travel. She also is grateful to make music with her partner, Laura, on violin and son, Owen, on cello. Her dog, Echo, loves to sit under the piano during lessons and rehearsals.
