Rev. Jacob T. Mueller was born in Le Mars, Iowa and grew up in New Minden, Illinois. He attended Trinity-St. John Lutheran School in Nashville, IL, Nashville Community High School, and holds a B. A. in Religious Studies from Concordia University Ann Arbor, Michigan. After completing his degree, he spent six months as a guest student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Pretoria (Tshwane), South Africa. From there he entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He served as a vicar at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, Missouri.

His wife, Julia, also served in South Africa and they have been married since 2012. Together they have three children, Hannah, Zachariah and Abigail. Pastor Mueller served Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri from 2012-2024 when he accepted the call to Hope. Pastor Mueller enjoys model railroading, cycling, and occasionally teaching classes on Romans at the Lutheran Theological College of Uganda.

Since August 2023, David Cason has served as Organist and Director of Music at Hope Lutheran Church, bringing a lifetime of professional expertise as organist and choir director. A graduate of the University of Kansas, he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Organ Performance under Dr. James Higdon. David’s academic foundation is built upon the study of French organ literature, J.S. Bach, and the history of organ building. 

David prioritizes congregational singing, tailoring hymn accompaniment, organ repertoire, and improvisation to the needs of the liturgy. This interpretive style is deeply informed by his ongoing study of mechanical action pipe organs and his collaboration with organ builders.

Mr. Moyer comes to Hope after working at Shawnee United Methodist Church with their facility for 27 years, where he also volunteered teaching adult, youth and children’s Sunday School, and participated in many choirs, band, and youth activities.  He grew up in a small town in south-central Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State University Harrisburg with a bachelor’s degree in electrical design engineer in technology. He also went two years to seminary at Lancaster Pennsylvania and volunteered for eight years with A Christian ministry in the National Parks. He loves the outdoors and serves at the district and council level with Boy Scouts of America.

Nancy D. Strange has been involved with Hope’s handbell choir since 1998 and has served as the director since 2001. Nancy was first introduced to handbells in 1991 through Our Savior Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC. She was fortunate to gain ringing and directing experience by working with the world renowned community handbell group, The Raleigh Ringers. She has directed children’s handbell choirs at Our Savior and at Hope. She also enjoyed playing in a handbell choir and ensemble for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.

Nancy and her husband, Brian, are blessed with two children, Chris and Lauren, and several dogs and cats. She enjoys playing the piano, fostering and volunteering at the Great Plains SPCA, hiking, gardening, and loves to travel with her family, especially exploring the Caribbean islands.