Leadership
Executive Leadership Team
Jason Gore
Lead Pastor
Jason’s life began training him for leadership as far back as his time wrestling and playing football at Cary High School. The influence of great coaches both there and during his time on the Wolfpack Wrestling Team at NC State converged with his deep desire for those far from God to know the hope that comes from a personal relationship with Him. Jason first attended and began serving as a volunteer at Hope Community Church back in 1997, while his career path took him from the business world into full-time ministry and, eventually, into serving as a pastor in 2003. Through it all, he has remained connected to his roots on the mat and the field, serving his community as a coach in youth sports, instilling the life and leadership skills that meant so much to him growing up into another generation of kids and teenagers. Even as a coach and with the honor of being the Lead Pastor of Hope Community Church, he would tell you that his most important roles are being a husband to his wife, Diana, and a father to his three children: Aidan, Addison, and Connor.
Julie Biggs
Julie grew up in Fairborn, Ohio and has been a part of Hope Community Church since 2002. She worked in retail sales for many years and was a stay-at-home mom for about eight years before joining Hope staff in 2013. Julie is passionate about removing barriers that keep people from connecting to God and each other and helping them experience the joy and freedom found only in the gospel. She loves spending time with her family, walks with friends, and losing herself in a good book. She and her husband Tom have two adult children.
Derek Sisterhen
Executive Director | Ministry Integration & Development
Derek grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and became a Christian in 1993. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and joined Hope’s staff in 2010 after a career in banking and financial consulting. Derek is passionate about the stewardship of God’s resources so the church is best positioned to impact lives with the Gospel. He and his wife, Elisa, have three children.
Heather Sullivan
Heather Sullivan is a wife to Shaun and mom of two sons—Seth and Brady. She is driven by the belief that every one of us can change the world with the hope found in knowing Jesus—and it all starts when we learn to see the people around us the way He does. As a former high-school teacher turned football, wrestling, and plant mom, her passion as a follower of Jesus is to influence entire communities to jump into loving and serving youth and families so that every kid can be confident in and compelled by the hope they have in Jesus.
Clay Burgess
Executive Director | Spiritual Formation
Clay is a native of North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina and has been a pastor in the Triangle area since 2002. His theological education includes a MDIV from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a ThM and DMin from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Clay joined the Hope staff in 2019 and has served in a variety of capacities. He is passionate about studying and teaching the Bible and helping others do the same.
Clay is married to Stephanie, and they have three adult sons. In addition to his responsibilities at church, Clay loves hanging out with his family enjoying good food and lively conversation. He enjoys peanut M&Ms, watching shows, Yankee games, and Tar Heel sports with Steph. To be able to do all of that at the beach is a great day for him!
Wes Dyke
Executive Director | Finance and Operations
Originally from East Peoria, Illinois, Wes and his wife Nikki have been part of Hope Community Church since 2010. He joined the staff in 2021, bringing 20 years of corporate accounting and project leadership experience. Wes helped Nikki establish and lead Carolina Youth Theatre, a non-profit organization that served hundreds of students and entertained 30,000+ patrons over 15 years. Wes is a CPA and serves in Hope’s Stewardship Ministry. When not in the office or at a Hope campus, look for him at home reading and sipping coffee, at the gym, on a tennis court, riding a greenway, or enjoying good food.
Jamie McDonald
Executive Director | Campus & Family Life
Not growing up in church, the last place Jamie thought life would lead him was into ministry. Prior to working in churches, Jamie spent 10 years in business development and expedited logistics.
Before joining Hope’s staff in 2018, he served as a creative arts director, adult ministries, and Executive Pastor at a church in Durham. He studied theology at Liberty University and enjoys equipping leaders for ministry and marketplace impact.
A Durham native, Jamie and his wife Lauren now reside in Holly Springs with their three sons, Mason, Jaxon and Finn.
Ministry Lead Team
Doug Stride
Apex Campus Pastor
As campus pastor, Doug Stride is excited to ignite the church to reach the Triangle and change the world by investing in the communities of Apex, Holly Springs, and the surrounding area. Doug grew up just outside of Toronto, Canada where he came to know Jesus at an early age, and grew up loving hockey, music and anything outdoors. After graduating from North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, MN, he served as a worship pastor in Ontario for eight years before heading to Uganda, East Africa as part of the leadership team of Watoto Church. Since coming to Hope in 2012 and serving in a number of capacities, he is excited to now be living out the mission of Hope right where he lives, investing in the community of Apex. He remains a lover of the outdoors, fishing and spending time with his wife, Dawn, and three young adult children (Brennan, Garrison and Milaena).
Duane Calvin
Raleigh Campus Pastor
As the Raleigh Campus Pastor, Duane Calvin oversees the Raleigh campus staff. He formerly served as Global Hope Ministry leader at Hope before taking on the role of Garner Campus Pastor when the Garner campus launched in 2019. Prior to his time at Hope, Duane was the Family Ministry Pastor at a church in Okinawa, Japan. Pastor Duane is a retired United States Marine. He loves basketball, football and spending time with his family. He and his wife Tasha have two young adult children, a daughter named Tia and a son named Sam.
Matt Curtis
Fuquay-Varina Campus Pastor
As the Fuquay-Varina Campus Pastor, Matt spends his time investing in relationships of Fuquay families, local businesses, and the campus staff. He formerly served as a Young Adult Pastor at Hope. Prior to moving to North Carolina from Texas, Matt worked in homeless ministry and served as a Family Pastor in San Antonio, before spending several years in the oil field of south Texas. He and his wife Jillian have two boys, lots of tacos, and even more legos.
Shaun Sullivan
Garner Campus Pastor
As the Garner Campus Pastor, Shaun oversees an amazing campus and a passionate staff focused on reaching the Garner, Clayton, and South Raleigh areas. Shaun grew up in Sneads Ferry, NC where he learned to play baseball and to find clams in the waterway under the bridge. He began to follow Jesus at 17 years old and pursued ministry shortly after and earned a Religion degree at East Carolina University in 2000. Shaun served 10 years in youth ministry, 7 years in a local coffee distribution company, and most recently 7 years as Hope’s Garner Area Pastor over small groups, community outreach, and discipleship. He loves spending time with his wife Heather and their 2 teen boys and enjoys loving and serving the Garner community as a family.
Jessica Benninghoff
Family Ministries Director
Gary Vet
Director | Pastoral Development
Janel Bunten
First Impressions Director
Dawn Stride
Global and Domestic Mission Director
Sam Kenoly
Worship Director
Rob Jones
Director of Programming
Elders
Jason Gore
Jason Collier
Jeff Eakes
Bill Fulton
Chris Chuang
Carl Wilkins
Jay Jennings
Brian Ralph
The process can begin by someone expressing interest in entering the elder process or the elders may invite some men into the process. Screening includes a training class, reading, personal interview with senior pastor, an application, and approval by the elders. The final step is a confirmation vote by the members. The entire process is handled slowly and with prayer.
The qualifications are from 1 Timothy 3:1-12 and Titus 1:5-11.
Elders are confirmed for life, but may step aside from serving actively if needed.
The elder’s role is to ensure the church accomplishes its mission, protect the essential biblical doctrines (faith) and observe biblical standards (practice).
Elder is the highest biblical office given to the church to exercise oversight and shepherding (1 Peter 5:1-2) of the local body. Elders lead and govern the local church by teaching biblical truth, modeling Christ-like behavior, maintaining doctrinal purity, disciplining members, overseeing finances and praying for the sick.
Jay Jennings
Elder
Jay Jennings serves as one of the elders of Hope Community Church. He has been a member of the Hope family since 2009 and joined the elder team in 2016. Jay has a passion for God’s Word and for helping others become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
In 2023, he retired from WRAL-TV after 43 years, where he worked as a videographer and editor, primarily in documentary production. His background in storytelling gives him the opportunity to share the greatest story of all.
Jay holds a Master’s in Ministry from Shepherd Theological Seminary in Cary, NC. He serves in various volunteer roles, including as a small group leader and part of the digital discipleship team, alongside his wife, Debbie, in Hope’s Marriage Ministry.
He is blessed to be married to his high school sweetheart, Debbie. They have two adult children and four grandchildren. Jay and Debbie enjoy camping and traveling together.
Chris Chuang
Elder
Chris has been an elder at Hope Community Church since 2016. He and his wife, Linda, began attending in 2006 and have been actively involved in leading small groups over the years. Chris is also passionate about serving the community, coaching youth basketball for over a decade. Above all, Chris values his relationship with Christ, his role as a husband to Linda, and being a father to their four amazing children.
In his professional life, Chris has over 25 years of experience in the technology and communications sectors, currently serving as co-founder of Relay.
Carl Wilkins
Elder
Carl has been an elder at Hope Community Church since 2008, where he and his wife, Gale, are active members. He is dedicated to supporting pastoral leaders and serves on the communion team at the Raleigh campus. Carl and Gale have two children and are proud grandparents of two.
In earlier years, Carl and Gale volunteered as youth leaders, and he continues to mentor students and young adults. His favorite pastimes include international travel, genealogy, and photography. Carl is also a consultant for a local engineering firm.
Jason Gore
Leader Pastor | Elder
Jason’s life began training him for leadership as far back as his time wrestling and playing football at Cary High School. The influence of great coaches both there and during his time on the Wolfpack Wrestling Team at NC State converged with his deep desire for those far from God to know the hope that comes from a personal relationship with Him. Jason first attended and began serving as a volunteer at Hope Community Church back in 1997, while his career path took him from the business world into full-time ministry and, eventually, into serving as a pastor in 2003. Through it all, he has remained connected to his roots on the mat and the field, serving his community as a coach in youth sports, instilling the life and leadership skills that meant so much to him growing up into another generation of kids and teenagers. Even as a coach and with the honor of being the Lead Pastor of Hope Community Church, he would tell you that his most important roles are being a husband to his wife, Diana, and a father to his three children: Aidan, Addison, and Connor.
Brian Ralph
Elder
Brian has been a part of the Hope Community Church family since 2016 and served as an elder since 2020. He and his wife, Kristen, lead a small group together. Brian is passionate about supporting the church community and helping others grow in their faith.
Professionally, Brian is the founder and CEO of Brian Ralph, LLC., a strategic consulting and executive coaching firm. He brings over 30 years of experience in higher education, having previously served as a University President, Vice President, and Director.
Brian and Kristen met at Ohio University and have been married for over 30 years. They are proud parents to three adult daughters, Abby, Eden, and Izzy, and a wonderful son-in-law, Tyler, who is married to Abby.
A die-hard Syracuse Orange fan, Brian also enjoys Fantasy Football, golf (though he watches more than he plays), and experimenting in the kitchen.
Bill Fulton
Elder
Bill has been part of the Hope Community Church family for 20 years and currently serves as an elder. He has a deep passion for serving those in need and helping lead them to Christ. Bill volunteered for four years as Hope’s first Director of Local Hope and served as Chairman of SHIP Community Outreach for eight years, where he continues to be an active volunteer and board member.
Bill retired from IBM as a Business Unit Executive, bringing extensive experience in business development and leadership to his ministry work.
He and his wife, Barb, were high school sweethearts and have been married for 51 years. They are blessed with two married daughters and five grandchildren. Bill enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and fishing.
Jeff Eakes
Elder
Jeff Eakes serves as an Elder at Hope Community Church and is a long-time member of the church Finance Committee. He believes that service is at the heart of the Christian walk and is committed to using his time, his talents and his treasures to further God’s Kingdom.
Jeff brings a background of shepherding and encouraging others in their faith journey and providing strong financial stewardship with integrity and gratitude for what God has done and is doing in His church.
Members of Hope since 1998, Jeff, who also has served as a small group leader, and his wife Nancy, who is active on the Hope Prayer Team, love to travel and spend time with their family which consists of six children and four grandchildren (and counting!).
Jason Collier
Elder
Jason has been part of the Hope Church family for over 16 years. He’s passionate about coming alongside men as they navigate their journeys—as children of God, husbands, fathers, and friends—helping them grow and deepen in their faith and relationships.
Outside of ministry, Jason finds great fulfillment in his role as a husband to Nannette and a father to their four children: Caedmon, Sage, Cassie, and Declan. Whether spending quiet moments in prayer and reflection, enjoying quality time with family and friends, or building and refining his small business, Jason is passionate about living a life grounded in faith and intentional relationships. He looks forward to seeing how God will continue to work through him, his family, and his community here at Hope.