Pastors Hope Church - Monticello
Gary Jones has been a pastor for 34 years. He has served pastorates in Iowa, Colorado, and is currently lead pastor at Hope. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Political Science/Pre-Law and a minor in History. It was during his time in college that he sensed the Lord was calling him to be a pastor. He did his Master's at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Doctoral work at Denver Seminary.
He has four daughters, Anna his youngest, is a student at Monticello High School. He and his wife Cindy have been married for 37 years. Cindy is employed in the St. Michael-Albertville School District, and coaches the Monticello club swimming team. 
Manuel Abarca is our Youth Pastor and Worship Director. He enjoys being part of the Hope family and considers it a blessing to work with young people and music. In his spare time he loves to play piano and study jazz. Manuel is married to Susan Abarca and has three daughters- Jordanna, Diannah, and Hadassah, and a son on the way! Praise the Lord!!! Contact me at
Jorge is from Lima, Peru. That is where he met his wife Chandra in 2002, while she was on a mission trip there with her church.
Jorge came to the U.S. in 2008 and he and Chandra were married that summer.
He was called to serve here at Hope with Youth and Hispanics in the summer of 2009. Prior to that, Jorge served as a youth pastor in Peru for 8 years, and served for one year in youth ministry at River of Life E. Free in Elk River, MN.
Jorge and Chandra love Hispanic ministry, and are passionate about reaching people with the gospel of Jesus.
Staff