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Richard Smith
Lead Pastor
Whether he’s serving in a 200 year old church in Georgia or starting a new church in South Carolina, Richard believes that the deepest needs of this generation can be met through the hope-giving power of Scripture. In a world filled with increasing pain and evil, his passion is to see many people anchor their lives to the God of hope. Richard is a graduate of Clemson University and Southwestern Seminary. Joining him in ministry is his wife, Lisa, and their daughter, Anna. Among his interests are golfing with a good friend and hiking with his dog Conrad.
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Todd Nethery
Pastor of Leadership Development
A 1984 graduate of Clemson University, Todd’s Industrial Management degree carried him into the automotive industry where he served in numerous management roles. Before moving to Spartanburg in 2007, Todd lived in Florence, SC where his family served in a worshiping community very similar to Hope Point. Joining him in ministry is his wife, Jeanie. They have three children, Susanna, James, and Caroline.
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Chris Arnold
Pastor of Ministry Development
A graduate of Lees McRae College and Southern Seminary, Chris has seen South Carolina play a major role in his spiritual journey. After leading the student ministry of a local church for five years, Chris became involved with a children’s sports ministry where he served as program development manager. It was there that he was again drawn to use his gifts specifically in the local church, helping people to experience God more fully through discipleship and community. Joining him in ministry is his wife Paula, and their three sons, Jakin, Seth, and Micah. Chris especially enjoys creation through hiking and riding mountain bikes.
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Josh Ridings
Worship Leader
Josh has been singing all of his life, so it's a very natural thing for him to worship God through music. Josh uses his talents with the guitar to help others sing new songs to God. He loves playing in the band and leading others to get a glimpse of God. And whenever a life is changed through His ministry, He gives all the credit to God's patient grace. Josh is a 2003 graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he led worship at several campus ministries. He enjoys outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, and wakeboarding. Among his favorite things to read is the book of Psalms.
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Merissa Ramantanin
Director of Children's Ministry
Through her ministry within the church and community, Merissa's passion is to strengthen the faith of children by teaching them of an incredibly big God that loves them very deeply. She graduated from North Greenville College in 1999 with a degree in both Elementary Education and Christian Studies. She has volunteered and worked with children since she was in high school. Merissa and her husband, Johnny, have a heart for missions. In fact, it was on a mission trip that they first met. They have two children, Karis and Ian Spencer, and a lovable Golden Retriever named Gabby. Merissa enjoys “family nights” at home, and being outdoors in the mountains.
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Matt Lyda
Minister to Students
A graduate of USC Upstate and Byrnes High School, Matt’s desire is to broadcast God’s big power and big love to students and encourage them to live passionately for Jesus Christ. While in college, he enjoyed sharing Christ around the world through his involvement in Campus Crusade for Christ. His wife, Brittany, joins him in ministry and shares a passion with him to reach students and see God magnified around the world. In his spare time, Matt enjoys listening to music, sports, reading, playing the drums, traveling, and laughing…a lot!
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Zina Gajewsky
Director of Early Childhood Ministries
Zina has a passion for parents and their children to fall in love with Jesus and His Word. While serving as the Children's Supervisor in the children's program of Bible Study Fellowship, she was called to use her gifts in the local church. She now oversees an invaluable ministry that allows parents to engage in worship while teachers plant seeds of truth in the lives of their children. Other than the preschool ministry, Zina enjoys spending quality time in God's creation with her husband, Scott, and their two daughters, Sage and Rea.
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