Leadership Team

Kirk Hanger, Pastor

Kirk Hanger is founding pastor of New Hope Fellowship. Marilyn, Kirk’s wife, teaches at Claremont Immersion School in Arlington, VA.  They have two grown sons. The Hangers served as church planters in Mexico City for eleven years and were involved in starting three churches in one of the largest cities in the world. Kirk continues as a mentor to leaders and churches in RIMI Network of Churches, a network that was started in Mexico and now includes churches in several other countries. Kirk grew up in Waynesboro, Virginia and graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA, Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, and the  Fuller Theological Seminary , Pasadena, CA. Kirk is an ordained minister in Franconia Mennonite Conference, an area conference of Mennonite Church, USA. Prior to going to Mexico, Kirk pastored Methacton Mennonite Church in Norristown, PA. Marilyn is from Souderton, Pennsylvania and also graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and has a Masters in Education from George Mason University.  

Melody Nolt Althouse, Elder

 Melody Nolt Althouse is an elder of New Hope Fellowship Church and has been an ESOL teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools since September 2000.  She and her husband, Tim Althouse are founding members of New Hope Fellowship. Melody has led Children's Ministry since the early years and Tim has served as Church Treasurer.  They have two school-age daughters who enjoy being involved in youth and Sunday school events.  Prior to coming to Alexandria in 2000, Melody lived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and attended Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA.  She obtained her MEd at George Mason University. In addition to education, Melody studied Spanish in undergrad and traveled abroad to Central America.  She enjoys the multi-lingual, multi-cultural aspect of New Hope Fellowship.  

Estella Arias de Zambrana, Elder

Estela Arias de Zambrana is from Cochabamba, Bolivia. She and her husband, Carlos, have five children and four grandchildren. She is a teacher at the Annandale Play Care. Before coming to the United States, Estela and Carlos had a family business that grew flowers for export to many countries around the world. In 1999, Estela was going through a difficult time in her life. She read a word of encouragement in the classified ad section of a Cochabamba newspaper and called the number listed. This led her to attend a small group where she accepted Christ and her life was transformed. Soon after her entire family came to Christ. Estela brings wisdom gained from years of life experience and faithfully walking with Christ to the elder team. 

Donald Nganga, Elder

 Donald Nganga and his wife, Makidi, have three adult children. Before leaving his native Congo to come to the United States, Donald served in the implementation and growth of a new Training Academy of Missions in the capital city, Kinshasa. He has a BA in Administration and graduated with a Masters in Leadership from Fresno Pacific University and has worked with various secular and faith-based nonprofits. Donald has lived in Africa, Europe and the United States and is involved with RIMI (International Network of Missionary Churches) and their work in Latin America. Donald has a keen interest in how the church joins God's global mission of reconciling the world to himself in Christ. His wisdom gleaned from interaction with diverse cultures gives Donald a perspective that enriches New Hope's vision of being a multicultural church reaching our multicultural region.   

Martin Shupack, Elder

Martin Shupack is an elder of New Hope Fellowship Church and Director of Advocacy for the faith-based global humanitarian organization Church World Service. He and his wife Diana are parents of three adult children -- Justin, Josh and Sarah. Prior to coming to Washington in 1995, Marty and Diana served with Mennonite Central Committee in Mexico. During the 1980s he served as co-pastor of New Covenant Fellowship, a non-denominational, theologically Anabaptist congregation in Urbana, Illinois.