Pastor Chuck Kurfman was born in Beardstown, IL, and grew up in several small towns throughout central Illinois. He has wonderful memories of attending Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and youth group at local United Methodist Churches, as well as other churches in these small towns. He is a graduate of Virden Community High School…
Denise Thole was born and raised in New Baden and has been a life-long member of the United Methodist Church, having transferred to Highland Hope from her former home church. She has been married to her husband John for close to 29 years and has raised two beautiful children, Grant and Sage. She and her…
My name is Shawna. I have worked with children for over 20 years. I graduated from Greenville College in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. I have been the Director for Kids in Christ School Age Program, and the Kids in Action Day Camp Program since 2012. My husband Paul…
Philip is a retired Air Force officer with over 30 years of business and financial management experience, holding degrees from Governors State University and Webster University. He and his wife Jennifer began attending Highland Hope shortly after being being stationed at Scott AFB and moving to Highland in 1999. They have two children, Lauren and Caleb. Philip…
As a truck driver for nearly fifteen years, Christopher has seen pretty much all that this great nation has to offer. He came to realize that the most beautiful place he could be was right at home. Christopher does everything he can to ensure that folks coming to Highland Hope truly feel the presence of…
Sophie Harpster, originally from Mattoon, IL, relocated to the greater St. Louis area after graduating from Greenville University in 2021. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a concentration in Biblical Studies and a Ministry minor. She and her husband Taylor currently live in Troy, IL and recently welcomed their first child. In…
Ciara was born in Creve Coeur, Missouri and raised in Highland, Illinois. Ciara, her husband Bryn and son Cayden reside in Carlyle, Illinois. She is a Greenville University Alumni. Her parents introduced her to Highland Hope church over 15 years ago where she still attends to this day. She has had the pleasure of working…