MONROE — Hope Evangelical Free Church in Monroe recently welcomed Tim Hunter as the new lead pastor. Pastor Hunter assumed pastoral duties at the end of October 2023. He comes from Boone, Iowa, where he served as an Associate Pastor of Discipleship.
Pastor Hunter grew up in Clinton, Iowa and, with a family legacy in the Christian faith, attended church. At age six, he agreed that he was a sinner in need of salvation in Jesus and responded to God by submitting his life to Christ.
After high school, he attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelors in Political Science. At the prompting of others who encouraged him in the faith, he then studied student ministry at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He was hired to lead the student ministry at his home church following his internship.
Over the next 20 years, Pastor Hunter worked as a student ministries pastor at churches in Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois. He developed a heart for helping students to know and follow Jesus, and to build networks of youth pastors and parachurch leaders to support and encourage each other through relationships with God and intentional training together.
Pastor Hunter returned to Iowa to serve in two churches as Associate Pastor, working with the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) district student ministries directional team and training youth pastors and leaders across the state. He has loved serving the people of the churches where he ministered and being involved in the local communities and schools.
Pastor Hunter married Carrie in 2020 and this brought the blessing of a blended a family with seven incredible adult children. Then in 2021, the Lord blessed them with an eighth child, a little girl. In addition to spending time with their kids and church family, the Hunters enjoy exploring new places and experiences, sharing meals with people and learning about the lives of others. They have a special place in their hearts for those who have experienced the pain and difficulty of divorce.
Hope Evangelical Free Church wants to be a place where people in our community can come and meet Jesus through God’s Word and meet others whose lives have been changed by Him. Pastor Tim and Carrie want to disciple people to love and serve God passionately, and to impact their world for Christ. They are thankful for new friendships and relationships they are building in Monroe, both with the congregants at Hope and with people in the community. They are already feeling at home, and look forward to coming alongside more people in need of grace and hope.
Sunday Worship Service begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a fellowship time with Sunday School for adults and children at 11 a.m. Find out more at hopeefree.com or call the church office at 608-328-4673.
