Pastors - While Hope searches for a permanent pastor we have hired two temporary pastors. Their contracts go to the end of 2023.
Dr. R. Keith Beauchamp, Temporary Associate Pasto
Dr. Beauchamp earned his bachelor in Business Administration with a minor in Music. Pastor Beauchamp also earned degrees from Western Illinois University in Recreation Parks and Tourism with a focus in College Union Administration; Northern Baptist Theological Seminary for both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees; and as an avid life learner Dr. Beauchamp pursued a second doctorate at Benedictine University and earned his degree in Higher Education and Organizational Change. He has also done post-doctoral work at Chicago Theological Seminary. For almost 25 years, Dr. Beauchamp has worked in Higher Education teaching, mentoring and advising students while serving as a minister of the gospel. Dr. Beauchamp serves as President of the Congress of Christian Education for the Progressive Baptist State Convention. He resides in Streamwood, Illinois with his beautiful wife of 28 years LaVerne and their wonderful children Autumn and Adam.
Rev. Jane Tuma, Bridge Pastor
Jane is a retired PCUSA pastor. She filled Hope’s pulpit four times this past fall and winter. Jane grew up in Naperville, but now lives in Chicago. She was pastor at Morgan Park Presbyterian for a number of years, and for the past few years she has been doing pulpit supply and acting as a Committee on Ministry representative for Chicago Presbytery. Jane plans to attend Sunday worship even when not preaching. Jane has enjoyed her times at Hope and is looking forward to serving us during this time while we discern our future.
Beth Cecil, Administrator
Beth Cecil is excited to be part of the team at Hope. She grew up in Wheaton and worked in a private health and tennis club for over 30 years. In her spare time Beth enjoys reading, tennis, golf and doting on her beagle, Scout.
Iryna Laudadio, Choir Director
Partners in Hope
Our communal leadership partners with Hope Presbyterian Church to seek peace, understanding, and relationships across our communities seeking to plant the seed of friendship and solidarity within Wheaton for our children and beyond.
Ron Beauchamp, Pastor: Bethel New Life
The Reverend Ron Beauchamp is Pastor of Bethel New Life here on this hill of Hope. He has been a pastor for many years, and served at Northern Seminary and Elmhurst College. Ron serves the flock at Bethel New Life on Sundays at noon with both teaching and preaching ministries. In a world of great conflict and misunderstanding, Ron, along with his wife Laverne (The First Lady) work alongside Hope to bring both congregations together to find a "better" way through Christ's teaching reconciliation and love.
He is currently also serving as Hope's Temporary Associate Pastor while we are searching for a long-term pastor,
Azam Nizamuddin, Islamic Scholar in Residence
Professor Azam Nizamuddin is currently Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology at Loyola University Chicago where he teaches courses on Islam, including history and mysticism, and World Religions. He is also Chairman of the Interfaith Committee for the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, the leading para Islamic Organization in covenant with the Presbytery of Chicago. Azam helps, advises, teaches, and coordinates Hope's committment to the Islamic community in Wheaton and in the DuPage County Area.
Michaeljohn Reszler, Director of Native Outreach
Pastor Michaeljohn Reszler serves as Hope's Director of Native American Outreach. "MJ" has studied at the Catholic Theological Union and is a member of the Ojibwe Nation residing on the Bad River Reservation near Lake Superior, Wisconsin. Michaeljohn oversees Native/Christian dialogue by his seasonal visits and invitations to those who gather at Hope. He also advises on issues of the environment (Faith in Place) as well as teaching and preaching during his stays in Wheaton.
Rabbi Steve Bob, Rabbi in Residence
Rabbi Steve Bob is Rabbi in Residence in our community at Hope. Steve is the Rabbi Emeritus at Etz Chaim Congregation in Lombard where he served for over 30 years. He is the author of Go to Ninevah and Jonah and Meaning in our Lives and teaches at both Wheaton and Elmhurst College. Steve serves Hope in our relationship with the Jewish community through preaching and teaching throughout the year.
Jasvir Singh, Sikh Liaison
Jasvir Kaur Singh is the co-founder of the Sikh Healing Collective, a mental health relief effort that was created to meet the immediate needs of the Sikh Community in response to the Sikh Temple Shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin in August 2012. She also spends her time as a counselor for various Sikh camps and retreats around the country. Her passion is to empower women and teach gender equality through education, insightfulness and Sikh history. Jasvir helps the Hope community learn about and work with the Sikh community of Wheaton, and facilitates and guides the bridge-building efforts between the two goups.