Leadership
The Leadership of Hope Church exists to equip and send out men and women who have been formed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We serve under the authority of Bishop Alan Hawkins of the Diocese of Christ Our Hope and the Anglican Church in North America.
Lead Pastor/Rector | The Very Rev. Derek Roberts
The Very Rev. Derek Roberts serves as the Lead Pastor or Rector of Hope Church. A proud West Virginian, Derek’s deep roots in the Mountain State have shaped his ministry and mission. After seminary in Colorado, he felt God’s undeniable call to return home and plant Hope Church in 2017.
In addition to his role at Hope Church, Derek serves as the Dean of the Appalachian Deanery in the Diocese of Christ Our Hope, supporting the growth and vitality of churches across the region.
Derek is passionate about planting biblically faithful, historically rooted congregations across West Virginia and beyond. Locally, his heart beats for discipleship and equipping the saints for the work of ministry, helping individuals and families grow in their faith and service.
Derek is married to Becca, and together they are raising their four children—Ellis (b. 2015), Ruby (b. 2017), Bo (b. 2019), and Blair (b. 2024)—with love and joy. When not serving his church and community, Derek enjoys reading, drinking good coffee, exploring the outdoors, practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and tackling home improvement projects.
Email: Derek@hopecharleston.org
Director of Family Ministry | Sara Evans
I never thought I would be on staff at a church, let alone do family ministry or anything children related. When our family moved to New Zealand so I could pursue a PhD, my plan was to teach in a seminary. While doing just that, our family also started homeschooling. It was this juxtaposition that showed me how vital family discipleship is, as well as the necessity of forming a child’s imagination for Christ, in the context of catechesis and the entirety of our life. I’m also convicted about the need to similarly educate and form adults, especially women and mothers. When my husband Ethan announced he sensed God was calling us to WV, it opened the door for me to work at Hope and embrace a new vocational direction. In the midst of all this, I also run a podcast (The Key) to provide theological education for those who might otherwise lack access.
Ethan and I have the joy and privilege to be raising three wild and brilliant girls. I love coffee, foggy mornings, reading, and Turkish food. Most days, you’ll find us reading aloud on the front porch or exploring nature to find God’s beauty.
Email: saraevans@hopecharleston.org
Director of music and media | Joe Williams
Joe serves as the Director of Music and Media at Hope Church. Joe has been married to Brittany since 2016 and has one son, Jackson. Joe and his family have followed what they believe to be the guidance of the Lord in many ways including moving to Orlando, Florida for Joe to attend Jesus School, a discipleship school, and simultaneously attending their worship school, The House of Bethany, for songwriting. Joe has a desire to see Jesus Christ exalted in all areas of life and ministry. He also has a desire to see unity within the body of Christ as we make Christ our focus. Joe enjoys playing and writing music, photography, playing games with his son, spending time with his wife and learning more about Jesus and what it means to be surrendered to Him.
Email: joe@hopecharleston.org
Bishop | The Rt. Rev. Alan Hawkins
Bishop Alan is the second bishop ordinary of the Anglican Diocese of Christ Our Hope. Before this, he was the founding rector of Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro, North Carolina, and he has served in several roles at the provincial level for the ACNA, including chief operating officer of the province, canon for provincial development, and vicar of the ACNA-wide Anglican 1000 church planting initiative.
Alan has been married to his wife, Angela Kaye Hawkins, since 1993, and they have five children: Joshua, Emily, Athan, Ciaran, and Ryan.