Phil Hopper, Senior Pastor
My favorite characters in the Bible: Joshua (warrior) and Elijah (prophet) in the Old Testament…The Apostle Paul (a “pit bull” for Jesus) in the New Testament
My life verse: Joshua 1:9, Philippians 3:10, Galatians 6:9, 2 Timothy 4:7, Revelation 12:11…Sorry, I can’t just pick one. The Bible is a big book!
One question that I would ask God: “God, knowing what we both know about me, why did you call me to the ministry?”
Something that nobody knows about me: I’m a “little bit country” and a “little bit rock-n-roll” but a lot more country than most people know.
I am happiest when . . . I’m prepared for Sunday, and there is still time left in the week to relax with family and friends.
The one book (besides the Bible) I’d recommend to anyone: Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus
On my iPod: I don’t have one…someday I’ll come into 21st century technology
My trademark expression: “If we can explain it, then God didn’t do it.”
The team I root for: Kansas Jayhawks. Don’t hold it against me—I have blood and sweat equity in the Kansas football program.
My proudest moment: The moment I became a dad.
My perfect childhood memory: Going with my family to my grandparents’ farm in the Ozarks of southern Missouri.
In my free time . . . I like to relax and enjoy time with friends and family…go out to dinner…work out…watch college sports/my kids’ sports…and spend time outdoors hunting, fishing and floating.
If I could do it over again, I . . . would pursue a baseball career instead of football. Who knows—I might be retired from the Major Leagues by now!
Three people I would want to have a meal with: My wife, my mom, and my dad
My favorite movie: Brave Heart
My favorite TV show: A lot of shows (but not all the shows) on the History Channel—I love history.
How I would spend $1,000.00: I wouldn’t spend it. I would probably save it to apply toward a mission trip for one of my kids.
What my last meal would be: Steak and seafood
What I am most excited about: Jesus Christ saving and changing people’s lives
My pet peeve: People who are lazy…Also when the door leading into the kitchen from the auditorium gets left open during the worship service.
I could eat . . . my weight in chips and salsa.
My favorite vacation spot: I don’t know. Our family vacation to San Antonia, Texas was fantastic, and Christa and I once spent an awesome week in the U.K.
My passion for ministry: Preaching…I am passionate about the Word, and the greatest privilege of my life is preaching.
My family . . . is the most important thing God has given me on this planet. My wife is Christa and we have three children—Jake, Makay and Josh.