MEET THE TEAM BEHIND CITY HOPE
We’re just a group of ordinary people who love Jesus and love people. Get to know the team that makes City Hope Church happen.
Seth Baltzell
Lead Pastor
Pastor Seth Baltzell was born and raised in Centralia, Illinois. After spending several years in Texas in different ministry capacities, God put a vision in his heart to move back home and plant a church in his hometown.
In 2012, City Hope Church launched in an old school building on Pine Street with more than 400 people. As City Hope grew, Seth felt God leading the church to a much bigger vision - transforming the former Centralia High School, a 250,000-square-foot building many considered condemned, into a new home for City Hope. After more than a year of work, the church was ready to launch in the building, only to have the doors closed on launch day due to COVID.
City Hope reopened on July 12, 2020, and continues to carry the same mission: Bringing hope to the city, One heart at a time.
Seth has a passion for helping people know Jesus, find community and live out their purpose. He and his wife, Angela, have four kids ranging from preschool to high school…keeping life interesting at all times!
A FEW THINGS ABOUT SETH
Something people might be surprised to know: He can rock on the drums
Will talk forever about: Cardinals Baseball
If he weren't in ministry, he’d be… He says a Builder, we say a Stand Up Comedian
ASK SETH ABOUT: Theology
Nicole Lyons
Executive Pastor of Ministries
Nicole Lyons is one of the driving forces behind City Hope Church, helping keep ministries, teams, and people moving forward. She has a gift for seeing the best in people and cheering them on, making encouragement one of her greatest strengths. Nicole has a particular heart for small groups and Team Hope, helping people find their place and become part of what God is doing at City Hope. She has a gift for seeing potential in others, and knowing God can do something significant with ordinary people.
When she’s not keeping City Hope moving, Nicole is also a business owner and the creative force behind Monroe Deen Apparel, a clothing boutique and printing shop. Basically, stopping isn’t really her thing..she loves a challenge!
A FEW THINGS ABOUT NICOLE
Something she’s terrible at: grooming dogs! Yes, she’s tried…more than once!
Coffee Order: Iced White Mocha, half cut, no whip!
Favorite food: 100% Italian. All the pastas!
ASK NICOLE ABOUT: Finding your place to serve at City Hope.
Angela Baltzell
Executive Director of Operations
Angela has a big heart and a big vision, and is passionate about making a difference. She loves creating environments where people feel welcomed, known, and like they belong. She has a natural love for hospitality and genuinely enjoys getting to know people - what makes them tick, what they’re passionate about, and where they’re headed. She’ll challenge you, encourage you, and cry with you, sometimes all at the same time.
Organization, systems, processes, and a good spreadsheet are also something she happens to enjoy, which means she’s equally comfortable leading a small group or figuring out how to make something run better behind the scenes. Heck, she takes care of Pastor Seth everyday so we know she can handle a lot!
A FEW THINGS ABOUT ANGIE
Caffeine Choice: Iced Vanilla Latte, SF Red Bull, Iced Green Tea - she’s not picky
Fun fact: She can turn almost anything into a project.
Something people might be surprised to know: Before City Hope, she was a restaurant owner and magazine editor.
ASK ANGIE ABOUT: Anything, but let’s make it one on one over coffee or lunch!
Steve Rupe
Executive Director of Facilities
Steve oversees all things building-related at City Hope, making sure the spaces where ministry happens are cared for, functional, and ready for what’s next. Right now, he’s also leading the charge on our Make Room campaign as we continue creating space for God to move. Steve genuinely enjoys getting to know people and is always ready to lend a hand, solve a problem, or figure out how to make something work.
He may look like the serious, responsible guy in the room, but don’t let that fool you. Steve is secretly much funnier than you’d expect.
A FEW THINGS ABOUT STEVE
Caffeine Choice: Pepsi Zero
Favorite food: Monicals Family Pleaser
Favorite movie: John Wayne Westerns
Something he’s really good at: Golf
Something he’s terrible at: Golf
His family: Married to Sarah Rupe for 20 years with 3 daughters
ASK STEVE ABOUT: Putting your talents to use.
Sarah Downen
Kids & Outreach Director
Sarah has one of the biggest servant hearts you’ll ever meet. She genuinely loves helping people and has a gift for seeing a need and simply stepping in to meet it. She cares deeply about her community, especially people who are often overlooked.
With a background in social work, Sarah has a unique ability to understand people and kids, meet them where they are, and care for them well. She has a huge heart for kids and believes church should be one of their favorite places to be. Sarah truly embodies what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
A FEW THINGS ABOUT SARAH
Favorite Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4
Fun fact: She can pick up a 12 pound shot putt with her toes.
Favorite food: Fajitas
Dream vacation: Greece
Something she’s terrible at: Asking people for help
If she weren't in ministry, she’d be: Working with behavioral children
ASK SARAH ABOUT: How to get your kids involved in City Hope Kids!
AJ Franklin
Worship & Programming Director
AJ Franklin has a voice that could make just about anyone stop and listen, but what matters most to her is using that gift to point people to Jesus. She loves leading people into worship and creating moments where people can genuinely encounter God.
AJ is down-to-earth, hilarious, and has a gift for finding the lighter side of just about any situation. But more importantly, she cares deeply and always comes back to the question, “How do we help people to know and believe there is still hope.”
A FEW THINGS ABOUT AJ
Caffeine Choice: Celsius
Fun fact: People tend to get funnier the more they hang around her, it's wild.
Will talk forever about: Yes, just… will talk forever
Favorite food: Taco Bell
If she weren't in ministry, she'd be… dead already
ASK AJ ABOUT: Joining the worship team!!!
Reed Mays
Creative, Media, & Production Director
Reed Mays is the young, creative guy on the team who manages to mix a love for theology with a love for all things creative and tech. He’s the kind of guy who can spend hours digging into the Word and asking big questions, then turn around and jump behind a camera, computer, or production console without missing a beat.
If there’s a problem and nobody knows how to make something work, Reed is usually the guy we call. He’ll figure it out somehow. He’s also the guy who has to remind the rest of us, “Kids don’t say that anymore,” because apparently we’re not as cool as we think we are.
A FEW THINGS ABOUT REED
Caffeine Choice: Gorilla Mind
Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld
Something he’s terrible at: Spelling..thank goodness for auto correct
ASK REED ABOUT: City Hope Youth!
Hank Jourdan
Facilities Care & Maintenance
Hank helps keep City Hope clean, cared for, and ready for ministry each week. If you know Hank, you know he is just a good, down-to-earth guy who genuinely enjoys people, and if you have a few minutes, he’ll probably be happy to talk your ear off.
Outside of City Hope, Hank loves coffee, music, cars, Jeeps, and working on just about anything that needs fixing. He especially loves traveling and playing music with his daughter, Emi Beth, as Hank & Emi Beth.
A FEW THINGS ABOUT HANK
His family: Married to Danielle for 19 years with 3 kiddos
Favorite music: Old Bluegrass