Who We Are

Hope East strives to be an authentic and diverse Christ-centered community in Nassau County, Long Island that would grow through knowing God both intellectually & experientially, enabling us to sacrificially serve our neighbors.

Our aim is to join God in the renewal of Long Island and NYC. It is within this context that Hope East exists to be a multiethnic, multiracial, and multicultural Christian church family who seeks the well-being of its neighbors.

WHAT DO WE VALUE?

The following are our cultural values because we believe that at the core of placing Christ at the center of a ministry, is a message that’s so beautiful that is makes us feel secure enough to be authentic, intrigued enough to want to grow alongside a community, hungry enough to be missional, curious enough to want to get know God both intellectually and experientially, accepting enough to be diverse, and radical enough to be generous. ”

— The Leadership Team

A CULTURE WITH CHRIST AT THE CENTER

The bad news is that we are not a perfect church; we are a body of broken pastors, leaders and congregation members. The good news is that Jesus Christ did not die for the perfect, but for the broken, and thus we believe He is the only one who is worthy of our worship.

“And God placed all things under his (Jesus’) feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” – Ephesians 1:22
 

A CULTURE OF AUTHENTICITY

We believe that a congregation which meets in authenticity walks in the light whereas one that gathers in masks walks in the darkness. Thus, we encourage genuine sharing/fellowship without condemnatory judgment. 

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7
 

A CULTURE OF COMMUNITY

Mainstream society defines “the Church” as a “building used for public worship.” However, we believe the Church is not a building, but rather a community of people who share a common identity in Christ. Furthermore, we believe true transformation only occurs when we deepen our relationships with one another and God.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” – 1 John 4:11
 

A CULTURE OF MISSION

The church does not simply give a community of emotional support for Christians, but also models the alternate human society God is creating; the church is called to be a counter-culture to the city, thereby keeping our radically distinct beliefs but at the same time sacrificially serving our neighbors here in Nassau County, Long Island.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
 

A CULTURE OF SPIRIT & TRUTH

While historically churches have emphasized one over the other, we believe it is important to know God both intellectually and experientially; therefore, we strive to be a community that studies the Bible as the inerrant truth but also connects with God through the Holy Spirit.

"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth" - John 4:24
 

A CULTURE OF DIVERSITY

We believe that Jesus Christ removed the wall of separation between race, socio-economic status, age, gender, and background, and thus, through our common identity in Him, we find that our differences, instead of dividing, only strengthen the vibrancy of our community and faith.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
 

A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY

Many live with the ambitious agenda of gaining individual wealth; instead we long to be a counter-cultural Christian community that is marked by radical generosity in everything we do. Using all of our different resources, we want to reflect this value in all our relationships, especially with the poor and oppressed.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” – 1 John 3:17

Denomination

Hope East is a part of The Foursquare Church. The Foursquare Church was founded in 1923 by Aimee Semple McPherson, a woman of intense passion, creativity and energy, and has a unique history that stems from missions and evangelism. It began as a powerful evangelistic/missional movement during the Great Depression and spread throughout the nations to become the global family it is today. Currently, the Foursquare Church has over 8 million members in over 68,500 churches across 146 nations. Our lead pastor David Jung currently serves as the divisional superintendent for the New York area. Those who make a formal commitment to our community through our Partnership Class will also be considered formal members of our denomination.