OUR STORY

How it all started...

Pastor R. G. Alexander is a native of Rockford, IL, where he grew up as a part of and was groomed in Ministry as a member of the Providence Baptist Church.  He is currently Senior Pastor of Hope Fellowship Church of Rockford, IL a multi-cultural, community-based Ministry designed to lead men and women to a deeper relationship with Christ in an atmosphere of genuine worship and love.

Since his arrival in 2012, the Church has experienced phenomenal growth and a new beginning by being replanted under a new name as a completely renewed Ministry. They are focused on being a scripturally based, Christ-centered Ministry that makes an impact on its community, the current culture, and the world. 

Expanding the vision...

A graduate of American Baptist College of American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, TN he received his Bachelor of Theology and continued to matriculate at the Morehouse graduate School of Religion on the campus of Atlanta University. He’s also done further studies on the campuses of Fisk, Emory, and Tennessee State Universities and has preached and lectured across the country and around the world.
    A great believer in community involvement Pastor Alexander is very active in numerous associations including the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Big Brothers of America; The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.
    Married to Mrs. Ishelia Alexander he is the father of one daughter, Ms. Ak’kowa J. Alexander Esq, and is striving to accomplish the theme of his God-given vision; “Until the Whole World Knows... JESUS!”

HISTORY OF HOPE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

On March 8, 1997, a group of believers gathered with a vision to plant a New Ministry.  The Church would be named New Direction Fellowship Baptist Church.  That Ministry was designed to be something different in the Rockford Community.  Over the next decade, the Church would go through a number of major changes in both name and Pastoral personnel.

In the last week of November of 2012, the New Direction Fellowship Church elected as its new Pastor the Rev. Ronald G. Alexander.  After a season of declining membership and several challenges, he was brought in with a unanimous vote and a mandate to rebuild, recover, and restore the Church body to a fully functioning, God-focused Ministry.  

The Challenge wouldn't be easy, or without difficulties, but with a strong group of unwavering believers from the original Ministry and a newfound mixture of new believers God set a new mandate that there was something different about this Church.

On February 28, 2013, The Church voted to replant the ministry under a new name, with a completely new mission so that the New Ministry could move forward with a vision of bringing Hope to the Rockford Community unhindered by any weight from the past.  The new name suggested by Pastor Alexander would be Hope Fellowship Church. The name change took effect as of March 31, 2013, on Easter (resurrection) Sunday!  It was noted that just as Jesus was resurrected, so would God do the same with us.

As of that date, the Ministry has seen phenomenal growth both spiritually, and numerically.  From a small beginning remnant of about 15 believers, the Ministry experienced phenomenal growth to about 500 in the first two and half years as the community was drawn to become a part of this “New Thing” God is doing.
 
With a vision to be a word-based Ministry, with an emphasis on worship, witnessing, and working to enhance the community.  The Church has become a powerful tool for the kingdom to reach the lost, and encourage those who have lost their way.  “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? “ Isaiah 48:18-19 MSG

Be a part of our story...

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