We believe Scripture shows the church is to be governed by a plurality of Holy Spirit-appointed, Biblically qualified men, who desire to serve by leading the church, shepherding the church body, and teaching the whole counsel of God’s Word. Elders are Holy Spirit-appointed, Biblically qualified men, who lead the church.
Get to know us
Our Elders
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Shane Lester
Shane grew up in a small coal-mining town in Southern West Virginia, and Haley in a small farming community in Kansas. They first met while attending college at Oklahoma Baptist University, but didn’t really get to know one another until a few years later through AOL instant messenger (online dating before there was online dating). They were married on September 30, 2006, and have four crazy boys; Noah, Chase, Sawyer, and Easton. Shane enjoys power-lifting, fishing, hunting, and all things Cincinnati Reds baseball. Haley enjoys spending time with family, writing, helping at the boys’ school, and helping Shane in all things church-related. Special scriptures to them are Galatians 2:20 and Psalm 51:1-19.
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Larry Meade
Larry grew up in a small town in Virginia, and his wife, Anna on a farm in South Dakota. They met while both were in the Air Force, and were married on January 15, 1976 in Warner Robins, GA. Anna spent 4 years in the Air Force, and Larry retired in 1999 after serving nearly 27 years. They are blessed to have 7 children and enjoy spending time with their 11 grandkids. Special Scriptures to them include Philippians 3:10 and Proverbs 31:10-31.
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Darin McLaughlin
Darin was born in Omaha but grew up in northeast Ohio. His family moved back to Nebraska where he graduated from Papillion-LaVista High School. Sherry was raised in Mondamin Iowa and graduated from Mondamin High School. Darin and Sherry met while working in a restaurant together and were married May 6, 1990. They promptly moved to California and lived there for eight years. Darin and Sherry raised their children Anthony and Lucy in Nebraska and now have six grandchildren.
Darin's background as a church leader began when he came to know Jesus at Super Summer in 1981. Darin has led both adult and youth Bible studies for over 30 years. He and Sherry joined LifeSpring Church in 1999 which eventually led them to serve at the LSC Midtown Campus. Darin was part of the church leadership that brought in Pastor Shane, who continued the push to become Renewed Hope Church. Special scriptures include Romans 12:1-2 and 15:13.
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CJ Van Moorleghem
CJ and Rebecca are both born and raised Nebraskans. CJ is native to Omaha, while Rebecca has called quite a few different towns “home” during her childhood. God crossed CJ’s and Rebecca’s paths during their time attending Grace University. Although there was mutual interest when they met, they did not begin dating until a few years later, after Rebecca had begun teaching overseas in Asia. They dated long-distance for a year and were engaged shortly after Rebecca moved back to the states. They have three hilarious toddlers, Clement, Josephine, and Moriah. When they are not chasing around their little ones, CJ and Rebecca both love drinking good coffee, traveling, hiking, Husker football, listening to podcasts, and home improvement projects. Special scriptures to them are Philippians 3 and Ephesians 2.