Meet our Staff

Jerry Shoap, Lead Pastor: Jerry left a career in business and construction in 1989 to become the pastor of the Hanover First Church of God. Jerry will be the first to tell you that he has had the privilege of working alongside of a lot of good people and watched as God blessed our congregation with growth. He and his wife, Janice, have two adult sons, three grandsons, and one granddaughter.
Jerry says:
My favorite way to relax is to take the Harley out for a spin on some lonely country road. If the weather isn't cooperative, then I'll sit down with a cup of coffee and a good book on Civil War history.
One thing I've always dreamed of doing is riding from the East coast to the West coast making sure to hit as many states as possible in between. I've ridden in every state east of the Mississippi and two west of the Mississippi so all that is left is to "go west".
Other than Jesus the one person I'd like to meet is Abraham Lincoln. His leadership during a time of great crisis has always impressed me.
One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
 
Dan Thomas, Pastor of Outreach and Nurture: Dan came to Hanover First Church of God in 1998 to provide leadership for the adult ministries which involves him in everything from the young adult Bible studies to the Senior Adult Luncheon held once a month. Dan is a terrific cook and so you'll usually find him in the kitchen helping to stir whatever is on the stove. Dan and his wife, Diane, have two daughters and two sons and two grandson's Micah & Caleb.
Dan says:
My favorite way to pass time is to spend time with Diane and our family. We enjoy trying different types of food and going to international restaurants. We also enjoy sitting down with a cup of tea or a latte. Our favorite place to go and relax is to the Poconos in the fall.
One thing I've always dreamed of doing is owning a bed and breakfast. Diane & I enjoy having people stay in our home, cooking and meeting people.
Other than Jesus, the most interesting person I would like to meet is Daphka Descat. Daphka is a little girl that lives in Haiti. Our family has been sponsoring her through Compassion International since 2002.  We correspond with her several times a year and she writes to us. I would like to have the opportunity to visit with her and her family in their village and to meet her in person.
One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11. This has been my life verse since 1973. It reminds me that God has a plan for my life and these plans are for His glory and honor. Even when things do not seem to be going the way I think they should be going, I remember that the plans for my life are ordained by God and His plans are perfect.
  
Diane Hakes, Children's Ministry Director: Diane has been a member of HFCOG since 1993 serving as a volunteer in our children's ministries until 2001 when she came on staff as the Director of Children's Ministries. Diane's love for children and previous experience as an elementary school guidance counselor is evident as she oversees the ministries that reach out to the little ones of our congregation. She and her husband Todd have two teenage children, Kylie and Noah.   
Diane says:
 My favorite way to pass the time or relax is reading, walking, cooking and being with family and friends.
One thing I've always dreamed of doing is traveling and working with other churches to help build thier ministries.
Other than Jesus, the most interesting person I would like to meet is Mary, the mother of Jesus. I want to know what feelings she experienced when carrying the Christ Child, when raising Him, how did she parent? What were her daily struggles?
One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
 
Jen Sager, Early Childhood Director: Jen and her husband, Chris, along with their children Ty, Seth, and Riley have been attending Hanover First Church of God for five years. Jen joins us in 2013, Full time! Jen comes to us with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministries from Messiah College. She has been volunteering as a teacher and leader in 252 Main Street Children's ministry for several years now and feels the Lord has called her to this ministry position. Jen is responsible for overseeing all the nursery and toddler areas and to work directly with the volunteer staff in continuing to run effective programs for our youngest.
Jen says:
My favorite way to pass the time or relax is spending time with my family and friends at our cabin, exercising and being active, gardening, baking, reading with my kids
 One thing I've always dreamed of doing is living in Ireland. I visited there in 2000 and have wanted to go back and tour more and enjoy the beautiful country.
 Other than Jesus, the most interesting person I would like to meet is your mom....haha!  I don't have a person to be honest. When I do I'll let you know
 One of my favorite verses from the Bible is.....
Proverbs 17:22 - this has been one of my all time favorite verses since I started reading the Bible with my grandmother.  It helps me to remember that we need to keep a positive outlook on life and laugh!
 
 
Nancy Wolfe, Administrative Assitant: Nancy had been active in the church for several years before becoming a member in 2005, the same year she was hired to work full time in the church office. Nancy is married to her best friend, Bill and they love sharing their home with Cuddles, their "peek-a-poo" puppy and their rescued kitten, Willy. Nancy and Bill have one daughter and three grandsons.
Nancy says:
 My favorite way to pass the time or relax is reading and spending time with family.
 One thing I've always dreamed of doing is going up in a hot air balloon
 Other than Jesus, the most interesting person I would like to meet is Helen Keller as I have a degree in special education and learned sign language.
 One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Joshua 1:9- "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." As a two-time cancer survivor, I treasure my walk with Jesus and sharing the love of our awesome God. During my recent journey with breast cancer, this verse became very special to me.
 
Kay Fontaine, Church Secretary: Kay joined us in February of 2007 as our part time Office Assistant and in 2008 she was hired full time as our Church Secretary. While fulfilling many tasks, one of her primary areas of responsibility is to assist Diane and Jen in the Children's Ministry areas. Kay is married to Paul, and they have, combined, seven children and eight grandchildren. 
Kay says:
My favorite way to pass the time or relax is sitting around a campfire with Paul, gardening,  or scrapbooking with my girlfriends.
One thing I've always dreamed of doing Is having our mortgage paid off, and we accomplished this in 2012, thanks to the great advice at Crown Financial!
Other than Jesus, the most interesting person I would like to meet is..... ?? Will have to think on...still thinking...
One of my favorite verses from the Bible is..... Psalm 28:7 "My LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
 
Lou Trimper, Facilities Manager : As our Facilities Manager Lou is responsible for the efficient and productive management of the facilities and grounds. Lou retired from the Baltimore City Police Department in1998 and was employed by The State of Maryland prior to coming on staff at HFCOG in 2006. During 1970-1975 Lou was co-owner of Universal Services, a janitorial and grounds maintenance company, that serviced many private and commercial businesses in the Baltimore/Howard County areas. Lou's wife, Carol is the church's Executive Assistant and Church Treasurer. In Lou's spare time he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. If you don't see him on his Harley, you might see him driving either their 1978 Corvette or their 1968 Corvair convertible. He has two adult sons, Michael and Jason, and a daughter, Lauren who attends Mount Saint Mary's University. He also has six wonderful grandchildren.         
Lou says:
My favorite way to pass the time or relax is riding our Harley Davidson with my wife, Carol, and when time permits working on our classic cars.
The one thing I've always dreamed of doing is to learn to fly. Our son Michael is a pilot and when the opportunity presents itself to fly with him I never turn down the chance.
Other than Jesus the most interesting person I would like to meet is Zora Arkus-Duntov, the father of the American sports car, the Corvette. I was privileged to meet his wife Elfi in 2002 when she was in her late eighties at the book signing in Carlisle Pennsylvania.
One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Ecclesiastes 3: 1-22, there is definitely a time for everything under heaven!