Hope’s team serves to support and equip our members to be “the body of Christ”, doing the work of ministry both inside and outside the church.  You can reach any staff member by their contact information listed below, or by submitting our online General Inquiry/Comment form.

  • Pastor J. Krister Ulmanis

    Intentional Interim / Senior Pastor

    Phone: 248-553-7170 x31


    Pr. Krister began his ministry at Hope as our Intentional Interim / Senior Pastor on October 1, 2024. He comes to Hope with 33 years of parish experience; 22 years as Senior Pastor serving in Ontario, 11 as Intentional Interim Pastor serving in Michigan - Grosse Pointe Farms (2 times), Grosse Pointe Woods, Livonia, Sterling Heights, Royal Oak, and Ann Arbor.


    Pr. Krister loves liturgy and church history but loves people more than anything else and most definitely loves to laugh. The door to his office is always open, so feel free to drop in for a chat any time. Those who know him know he is a total sports nut. He has a particular passion for the Red Wings; you will notice that in a big way when you stop by the office. Other hobbies include reading, travel, history, opera, theatre, and music – ranging from classical to punk rock. Pr. Krister is also a passionate patron of the DSO; and a huge Eminem fan.


    In 2015, Pr. Krister married Lela, a visual arts teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. He also has an adult son, Niklas, who lives in Guelph, ON. Pr. Krister and Lela became grandparents for the first time in May of 2023 as Lela’s son and his wife welcomed Imogene Rose into the world. Pr. Krister and Lela reside in Grosse Pointe Park, MI.

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    Pastor Amy Cooley Higgs

    Associate Pastor

    Phone: 248-553-7170 x32


    Pastor Amy began serving at Hope in March of 2024 as the Associate Pastor of Faith Formation, following time serving as a chaplain and pastoral intern at a local congregation. She earned her Master of Divinity degree in 2023 from Luther Seminary. Previously Pastor Amy served full time in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry for over 12 years and worked in Early Childhood Education as a teacher and administrator.

  • Allan Pfitzenmaier


    Allan Pfitzenmaier

    Director of Operations


    Phone:  248-553-7170 x11

  • Troy Nelson


    Troy Nelson

    Traditional Choir Director

  • Christian Avila


    Christian Avila

    Director of Modern Worship


  • Erik Nowakowski

    Technical Director of Worship

  • Alicia Herrle


    Alicia Herrle

    Children's Ministry Coordinator

  • Cindy Bishop


    Cindy Bishop

    Child Care Coordinator

  • Brenda Soderlund


    Brenda Soderlund

    Bookkeeper

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    Brittany Caron

    Custodian