Hope Lutheran Church Timeline
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:
All other ground is sinking sand. *
In 2011, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod commissioned Pastor Bradley Kerkow to start a new Lutheran mission congregation in the suburbs of Austin.
Pastor Kerkow's family
Worship services began at Cox Elementary School in Cedar Park.
In 2012, Hope purchased land on County Road 175 across from South Williamson County Regional Park; the first church service was on April 29, 2012.
Soon after the purchase, Worship services were held on the veranda at the back of the house on the property, which also served as a parsonage for the pastor’s family.
In 2016, Hope called a second pastor to help with the growing church: Pastor Daniel Ruiz, who served Hope as a vicar in 2015-16 and was then ordained into the holy ministry and simultaneously installed as pastor in 2016.
"He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two..." Mark 6:7
In 2017, construction began on the church building next door to the parsonage.
The church was dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018.
Pastor Ruiz accepted a divine call in 2019 to a sister congregation in San Antonio (Faith).
Pastor Kerkow left Hope after nine years when he accepted a call in August 2021 to be the synod’s Evangelism Mission Counselor.
In 2022, Peter Estrem Jr., a member at Hope, entered Bethany Theological Lutheran Seminary.
While on one of his visits to his home in 2023, Seminarian Estrem preached for us.
Pastor Jerome Gernander accepted the call to be pastor of our congregation and was installed on June 19, 2022.
Pastor Gernander and his wife, Susan.
In 2025, our congregation formally adopted the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (ELH) as our hymnal for use in our services: another step forward!
As we move forward in faith, we thank God continually for the riches of His grace.
- My Hope is Built
Author: E. Motl, 1797-1874
Composer: J. Stainer, 1849-1901
- In 2011, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod commissioned Pastor Bradley Kerkow to start a new Lutheran mission congregation in the suburbs of Austin.
- Pastor Kerkow's family
- Worship services began at Cox Elementary School in Cedar Park.
- In 2012, Hope purchased land on County Road 175 across from South Williamson County Regional Park; the first church service was on April 29, 2012.
- Soon after the purchase, Worship services were held on the veranda at the back of the house on the property, which also served as a parsonage for the pastor’s family.
- In 2016, Hope called a second pastor to help with the growing church: Pastor Daniel Ruiz, who served as a vicar at Hope in 2015-16 and was then ordained into the holy ministry and simultaneously installed as pastor in 2016.
"He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two..." Mark 6:7 - In 2017, construction began on the church building next door to the parsonage.
- The church was dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018.
- Pastor Ruiz accepted a divine call in 2019 to a sister congregation in San Antonio (Faith).
- Pastor Kerkow left Hope after nine years when he accepted a call in August 2021 to be the synod’s Evangelism Mission Counselor.
- In 2022, Peter Estrem Jr., a member at Hope, entered Bethany Theological Lutheran Seminary.
- While on one of his visits to his home in 2023, Seminarian Estrem preached for us.
- Pastor Jerome Gernander accepted the call to be pastor of our congregation and was installed on June 19, 2022.
- Pastor Gernander and his wife, Susan.
- In 2025, our congregation formally adopted the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (ELH) as our hymnal for use in our services: another step forward!
As we move forward in faith, we thank God continually for the riches of His grace.
