Who We Are
Hope Family Church is a Christ-centered family of believers committed to loving God, loving one another, and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Rooted in the truth of Scripture and guided by the example of the New Testament church, we seek to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).
By God’s grace, our desire is that every person who walks through our doors would experience the love, joy, and unity that flow from life in Christ. We are a church family that rejoices together, bears one another’s burdens, and seeks to encourage one another daily in faith and holiness (Acts 2:42-47; Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24-25).
At Hope Family Church, the Word of God is central to all we do. We are committed to the faithful, expository preaching of Scripture, believing that God’s Word is living, active, and sufficient for the life of the church (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Nehemiah 8:8). Following the pattern of the early church, we desire to delight in the Word, live in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, and devote ourselves to prayer (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 5:18).
Though we are a smaller congregation, the Lord has graciously raised up many ministries aimed at discipling believers, strengthening families, serving the local body, and reaching the lost. Led by a plurality of elders in accordance with the biblical pattern for church leadership (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-3), we long to live as a true spiritual family, equipped for service, devoted to prayer, and passionate about sending and supporting gospel missions both locally and throughout the world (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:13-15).
Our Leadership
We seek to follow God’s design for his churches to be led by a team of men in the role of elders (pastors), and supported by deacons. The qualifications for these roles are detailed in particular in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4.
Elders
Vance Whitaker
Vance came to know Jesus Christ at a young age. He and his wife Terri became part of Gulf Coast Community Church in St. Pete in 2009 and hosted the Brandon church plant in their home in 2016. Vance works full-time as an Associate Professor of plant breeding and genetics at the University of Florida while also serving the church as an elder.
Eric Watkins
The Lord called Eric in his teen years to salvation in Christ. Eric has served as a layperson in multiple churches before retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 2014. Eric and his wife Jackie moved to Florida and became a part of Gulf Coast Community Church of Brandon in 2016. Eric and Jackie have been married since 1989 and have three adult children.
Graham Wintour
God made a way for both veterinary study (University of Edinburgh, 2006) and theological study (BD, University of Aberdeen, 2010; MTh, University of Aberdeen, 2015). Graham now has the privilege of serving the family of Hope Family Church. Graham and his wife Tineke moved with their children from Scotland to join the church in 2023.
Deacons
Terri Whitaker
Terri put her faith in Jesus Christ when she was a little girl, and the local church has been integral to her life ever since. She has served on church worship teams since the age of 16. She met her husband Vance at NC State University. Terri has been busy educating their three children since 2012. She and her family have been part of the church since its inception.
Stephen Iwanowycz
Stephen and Trisha are passionate for the children of the church and that they would grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Trisha Iwanowycz
Trisha was called of God at a young age, but life was hard growing up. Sin and the pull of worldly pleasures tried to sway her faith. In the Lord’s great mercy, He would not let her get comfortable apart from Him. At the age of 19, she was baptized and her life turned towards the things of the Lord. While at Bob Jones University studying Biblical counseling, she met Stephen and they now have 3 wonderful boys. Stephen and Trisha are passionate for the children of the church and that they’d grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
