Welcome, Rev. Hopson! We are happy and grateful that you have come to join and serve us as our Interim Pastor at this time. Welcome home to New Mexico!
Bio and Introduction – Rev. Jeff Hopson
Rev. Jeff Hopson grew up in a family of four kids on a registered Hereford ranch in Northeastern New Mexico. His parents taught him and his siblings that “we are just as close to God riding a horse through a pasture as sitting in a cathedral” which is a belief that shines through in his ministry today.
In April of 1983 he had his call to seminary and went on to graduate from Pittsburgh Theological in 1987. Starting in Washington Presbytery (south of Pittsburgh) he eventually served five churches in southwest Pennsylvania. He served as solo pastor, interim pastor, and designated pastor helping congregations see and live into the futures that God was calling them toward. During this time, Jeff also completed his Interim Pastor training.
After 21 good years in Pennsylvania, he headed to Stockton, California where he served first as designated pastor and then solo pastor at the United Church of Christ. After a decade in Stockton he was called to Lincoln, Nebraska where he served as an interim pastor at Heritage Presbyterian Church for three years before returning to the position of Interim Pastor open at Central Presbyterian Church in Downingtown, PA. Most recently he has just finished a two-year tenure as Interim at Covenant PC, Scranton, PA. He is
thrilled to join FUPC as our new Interim Pastor and views his return to this Land of Enchantment as a
homecoming for him and a return to childhood roots.
Jeff loves preaching; leaning on storytelling to engage listeners, and pastoring. One of his favorite experiences of church is “feeling tension come down as Hope is lifted”. He believes in providing a steady and stable hand while “walking shoulder to shoulder” with congregation members and sharing in ministry together. In his spare time, he loves reading, writing, travel, and great music. He is looking forward to experiencing all manner of arts that Northern New Mexico can provide. He looks forward to meeting each member of the FUPC congregation personally and can’t wait to introduce everyone to Jayce, his amazing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Luke 9: 28 – 36
And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
