New Hope eNews - April 10, 2026

GUEST SPEAKER: DAVE MATTHEWS

This Sunday, April 12, we are excited welcome Dave Matthews as our guest speaker! Dave serves as the CEO of Reflejo, providing strategic leadership shaped by more than a decade of cross-cultural ministry and mobilization experience. Born in Lima, Peru and later raised in Miami, he received a missionary call at age 14 and went on to study at Moody Bible Institute where he and his wife, Sarah, met. His ministry background includes work among the Lebanese diaspora in Paraguay, service within Afghan refugee communities in the US, and early efforts to establish a Latin American sending base in Panama.

Dave founded the Latin American Pashtun option NAdetwork (RAP) and later launched Reflejo with the vision of empowering Latino missionaries to engage unreached peoples. Today, he leads Reflejo’s organizational direction, mobilization strategy, and global partnerships. He is bilingual in Spanish and English, with functional Portuguese, and is the author of Como Enviar 100 Misioneros, a practical guide for leaders building mission sending structures.

If you attend our 11am Contemporary Service and would like to familiarize yourself with the songs we will be singing this Sunday, here are the links to check them out:

 

• I Thank God

• Come Alive (Resurrection Power)

• Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood

• All Hail King Jesus

• In Christ Alone

YOUTH PRODUCE STAND THIS SUNDAY!

 

Our produce stand is back this Sunday, April 12! Bring cash and we’ll see you outside from 10:30-11am and 12-12:30pm! All proceeds go to our youth ministry’s missions fund. They will use these proceeds this summer during their weeklong local missions week and in the fall on various local mission projects.

Celebrate a lifetime of wisdom and experience at our Four Score and More Luncheon for those aged 80 and above and a guest! Join us for a delightful time of camaraderie, laughter, and cherished memories on Thursday, April 16, at 11am in Room 212 and enjoy a delicious lunch while connecting with friends who share in the richness of life’s journey.

 

REGISTER HERE

This Sunday, April 12, from 6-8pm is our student ministry’s next The Mix night! This is an evening of outdoor fellowship at Wa-Ke Hatchee Park. There is an activity for everyone: from basketball, ultimate frisbee, spike ball, and soccer to reading, board games, card games, or just taking a walk. Bring your friends and meet us for community time and short devotion!

Hunt-A-Trunk Recap Video!

YOU CAN JOIN THE

FOOD DRIVE

FOR CITY TAKERS SWFL!

During April, New Hope is collecting food donations for City Takers SWFL. Their mission is to love, reach, and build the city through the Gospel of Jesus Christ through weekly discipleship classes, evangelism, food distribution, and community programs.

JOINING THE DRIVE IS

AS EASY AS 1-2-3!

1) Pick up a bag in the Lobby at the church

2) Fill it with shelf-stable pantry donations

3) Return it to New Hope by Sunday, April 26

Thank you for helping us bless the ministry of City Takers SWFL as they in turn bless those in our community!

KIDS MINISTRY UPDATE

 

Who doesn’t love a good party? This month in Kids' Ministry, we’re celebrating the greatest reason to party of all – Jesus is alive! Our April theme is “Block Party: Celebrating Jesus and Joy That Never Ends.” Throughout the month, kids will discover that the resurrection of Jesus gives us a joy that lasts forever. Because Jesus is alive, we always have a reason to celebrate!

 

On Palm Sunday, our kids had the opportunity to participate in worship by joyfully waving palm branches, remembering the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowds celebrated Him as King. It was a special moment for our children to actively join in worship with the whole church family.

 

We are also excited about the success of our first ever “Hunt-A-Trunk” event! This massive celebration included candy-filled eggs, fun games, animals, community first responders, delicious food, and lots of treats for families to enjoy together. It was a wonderful time of fellowship, fun, and celebration for our church and community. A huge thank you to the many volunteers who helped make this event possible! Your time, energy, and servant hearts helped to create meaningful experiences for our kids and families. We are so grateful for each of you!

 

We are excited to celebrate with your kids this month and remind them of this simple but powerful truth: Jesus gives us joy that never ends!

SAVE THE DATE!

 

The Global Leadership Summit 2026 will be August 6-7.

Come be part of a leadership movement that

multiplies influence where it matters most.

WE CARE OUTREACH

 

It was a sunny Friday evening in late March when several New Hope volunteers joined We Care Outreach partners to serve burgers and hot dogs, give out clothing items and bus passes, and pray for Lee County residents in need. Plates of Hope exists to love the homeless and hungry from a location in North Fort Myers, with a specific desire to see those in need be fed and clothed. Through compassionate outreach, food distribution, emergency housing support, case management, life-skills training, and recovery-focused programs, We Care Outreach seeks to restore dignity, stability, and hope while meeting both physical and spiritual needs in the community. If you have a gift for loving the underserved or long to see community transformation in these ways, you’re welcome to join our team! Reach out to Rachel via email at rachel@newhopefortmyers.org about ways to serve with Plates of Hope and other homeless outreach events throughout the year. Please pray for Tanya Johnson, who leads the cause at We Care, that God would gift her with physical health, endurance, and unending joy for the work to which God has called her.

GENEROSITY UPDATE

04/05/26 Giving: $40,848

Weekly Budget Requirement: $37,425