MEET OUR STAFF


  • HAL KOOISTRA

    LEAD PASTOR

    Hal is an agent of hope for Jesus. He is passionate about many things: worship, prayer, coffee, volleyball, soccer, hiking and meaningful relationships. Hal’s preaching style centers on bringing prophetic messages of hope. He has served as the Senior Pastor of Hope Church since August 2005. 


    Prior to becoming a pastor, Hal was an elementary teacher and high school soccer coach in Michigan for twelve years. He received his B.A. from Calvin College and Master of Divinity degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He has been an instructor for the Illinois School of Ministry held at Lincoln (IL) Christian University where he teaches classes in the Pentateuch and Paul’s Epistles. Presently he serves as the overseer of 20 churches in Chicago. He also serves in leadership for Convoy of Hope Chicago and Teach Haiti. Hal and his wife, Dawn, have led mission trips to Liberia, Uganda, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, and the Gulf Coast (USA). 


    Together they have partnered with churches in several countries to build several churches and schools. They have five amazing grown children and thirteen awesome grandchildren. 

  • JOSH KLOES

    Assistant pastor

    My name is Josh Kloes, and I’m the Assistant Pastor at Hope Church. My wife Rachel and I met at this church almost 15 years ago and we have 2 awesome kids, Donovan and Eloise. I was as a volunteer at this church that I felt the call to a career of ministry. I received my degree in Christian Ministry and Pastoral Leadership from Trinity International University in Deerfield.


    As the assistant pastor at Hope Church it's my joy and privilege to serve as the coordinator of the Men’s Ministry, Small Groups, and to lead classes at the church. I also love serving the youth of the church. This church has meant so much to my wife and I over the years, and the people here are truly our church family. I’m very blessed to serve in a church that has been such a blessing in my life as well.


    I believe the best years are still to come for Hope Church, and I speak for both Rachel and I when I say that we are honored and excited to be a part of what God has in store. This church is a special place with awesome people, and God has great plans here in the years to come!

  • rachel kloes

    assistant pastor

    My name is Rachel Kloes and I have the honor of serving as an Assistant Pastor at Hope Church. My husband Josh and I have been married since June of 2015 and we have 2 kids, Donovan and Eloise. We have both grown up in the LaGrange/Brookfield area and are both Lyons Township High School graduates! We love Chicago and we love being a part of what God is doing here!


    When it comes to ministry, my passion is to be a part of raising a generation of hopeful believers, in Chicago, that grasp what true love, hope, faith, and self-sacrificing service looks like. I’ve been called to bring Biblical truth and reality to a generation that combats against pop culture and the growing defiance against the Word of God. I love connecting with people and being a part of their spiritual growth; walking alongside each individual as they grow in the Lord and live this life is not only an honor, but it brings me the greatest joy.


    I have been a part of the Hope Church family since I was only 9 years old and have had the joy to be a part of the church body, leadership, and now staff. I truly consider it my honor to work with this team and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store!!

  • dawn kooistra

    missions & Kids pastor

    My husband Hal (senior pastor) and I have had the joy of leading Hope Church for the past 10 years. During these amazing years God has challenged me and stretched me in ministry. Ever since I first stepped on the soil in Africa, in December of 2005, my heart and vision for the world and our local community has been expanding. Since that day I have had the privilege to go and send teams to Liberia (3), Jamaica, Ireland, Haiti (6), and the USA (Hurricane Katrina & Hurricane Sandy relief). As the local director for Convoy of Hope Chicago, God has enabled me to partner with amazing individuals, churches, ministries, and businesses in the Chicago area. All of this is beyond my wildest dreams and proves that God can use the weak people of this world to confound the strong.


    One of the core values we have as a couple and as a church is that we value relationships! Hal and I have raised 5 amazing children who have in turn given us 13 grandchildren (so far). We are wealthy people because we have had the opportunity to do ministry with each one of our children and we hope to pass this along to all of our grandkids! We love to work on teams, whether with our family or our church family. Life is more exciting when you do it together!


    Some other interesting facts about me? I have a degree in Christian Counseling from Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL. I have been married to my husband Hal for 35 years. We met during a summer ministry internship in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. We have lived in 5 states together; Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Illinois. One of my favorite sayings is "if it's not fun, forget it".

  • Jake wesemann

    youth pastor

    Pastor Jake has been involved in ministry since he got out of the Army in 2011. He has worked as a youth helper, media pastor, and youth pastor at three churches prior to moving to the Chicagoland area and Hope Church in April on 2023 as Youth Pastor. He and his wife Taylor have three children Evangeline, Griffin & Halle.


    Jake is a licensed Assembly of God minister through the Illinois School of Ministry.


    If you could narrow down the ministry focus of Jake, it would be to grow in the ways of Jesus, that we practice them day in and day out, not just on Sunday and Wednesday. That we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and fill us up and engage with the world around us with the overflow of that work!


    Jake and Taylor are passionate for the younger members of the church and want them to not look at themselves as the “future of the church” but as the present. To take ownership of their faith and to spread Hope and Light to the world, stressing that the Great Commission isn’t the “Great Suggestion” for a reason.