Living Hope Ministry Leaders
Living Hope Ministry Team
“so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” –Romans 12:5
Sean Finnegan
Lead Pastor – Church Elder
Sean Finnegan came on full time in 2005 with a focus on community and international outreach. He’s also the host of Restitutio, a weekly podcast focused on restoring authentic Christianity and living it out today. He holds a Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) in Early Christian History from Boston University, a BA in Theology from Atlanta Bible College, and a BS in Computer Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Sean’s omnivorous appetite has lead him to pursue research in theology, Bible, apologetics, textual criticism, translation, ethics, and church history. However, his greatest passion is the Great Commission–reaching new people with the gospel message and helping Christ-followers deepen their discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20).
Ruth Finnegan
Children’s Ministry
Ruth Finnegan has attended Living Hope’s yearly Family Camps and Teen Camps since she was 14 years old. At the age of 22, her desire to be around other believers and a part of a Christian community led her to move closer to Living Hope Community Church. She fell in love with the people at Living Hope and a certain member in particular, Sean Finnegan. They married and have four sons and are blessed to serve together. Ruth coordinates the Children’s Ministry; Sean and Ruth host a weekly Bible fellowship in their home; and she helps to plan the church’s events and meals. She passionately believes that God wants all to be saved and that He works through His people to love and minister to others. She loves bringing people together at the table for good conversations and great food, gardening, adventures with their boys, and sailing with her husband.
Vince Finnegan
Founding Pastor
Vince Finnegan founded Living Hope in 1999 after meeting in homes for more than a decade. In addition to teaching and writing, he works with those in recovery from drugs or alcohol.
Mimi Finnegan
Editor
Mimi has been married to Vince Finnegan for nearly fifty years; they have five adult children and 11 grandchildren. Mimi’s passion for grammar and excellent vocabulary have equipped her to serve as proofreader and editor for Living Hope since the church began. A caring and kind person who truly loves others, Mimi is known for her cheerfulness and positivity. She lives with her husband Vince in Latham, New York.
Christine Kenyon
Office Manager
Christine grew up in the Capital District area. She was witnessed to 43 years ago at the fountain of the Capitol Building in Albany, NY. She went on the mission field that same year. She met the love of her life, Henry, on the mission field and they married the following year. They adopted two wonderful daughters and homeschooled them both from kindergarten to their senior years in high school. Homeschooling led to many experiences with Christians from different backgrounds, learning that we are all the one body and important in the eyes of our Father, no matter where we are in our walks.
Now that her daughters are grown, Christine enjoys more time in the garden, her favorite place to pray. Nighttime fires, another favorite place to pray and her new experiences working at Living Hope, with wonderful Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Peter Fitzsimmons
Worship Leader
Peter Fitzsimmons is the worship leader at Living Hope. Having grown up in the community, he passionately leads his brothers and sisters in Christ in praise of our God.
Grace Fitzsimmons
Digital Content Manager
Grace has been a part of Living Hope her whole life. She grew up in Virginia but never missed the yearly family road trip to New York to go to Family Camp, and later Teen Camp. After graduating high school, Grace moved north and became a local member of the church. Since moving to Latham in 2016, she has volunteered for many positions around the church such as children’s ministry, cleaning, and running the Sunday live streams. Now a wife and mother, Grace is very excited to bring her children up in the same church community that’s been her family for so many years.
Timypaul Lupe
Community Outreach Coordinator
As a joyful servant of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, Timypaul enjoys serving as a minister reaching out to the people of the world through his evangelism ministry. He leads several initiatives around the community in an effort to bring people to God. His personality, passion, and enthusiasm for working with people make a difference in his approach to evangelism. Timypaul has been a part of Living Hope’s missionary team for more than a decade serving as a language translator during our missions in the Congo Countries (DRC, RC) in Africa. As a Men & Youth Mentor, he endeavors to live by example following our Lord Jesus Christ to inspire those that he mentors.
Anna Brown
Marketing and Publishing Project Manager
Anna Shoffner Brown grew up in Oregon as a homeschool student and an avid horsewoman. Fluent in Spanish and learning Hebrew, she has her B.A. in Economics from Hillsdale College. Anna has travelled to Israel, France, and Australia, and lived in Spain. But now she and her husband John live in Louisville, Kentucky, where they have been helping to launch Compass Christian Church and expect their first child in 2023. Anna is passionate about the Unitarian movement, writing, and theology.
Thom Riley
Audio and Congolese Ministries – Church Elder
Thom has been involved with home Bible fellowships and Christian service since 1984 and part of the Living Hope Family since the church’s formation in September, 1999. Along with having the privilege of assisting with many ministry functions throughout, he helped to coordinate the building of the church, children’s and teen fellowships, various advances, and many ministry events. Thom is active in LHIM’s African ministry support and has visited our sister churches in the Congo countries (the DRC and RC) multiple times. Thom currently coordinates the audio team and serves as Elder and member of the Board of Directors. He encourages anyone to consider getting involved with volunteer service. “It will change your life.” (Ephesians 4:1-15)
Michael Finnegan
Benevolence Coordinator – Church Elder
Michael serves as the benevolence coordinator for Living Hope, organizing meeting local needs inside and outside the church. He also helps to coordinate and run the annual men’s conference each Spring. Michael lives in Latham, New York, with his wife Jasara and their three children.
Rose Armstead
Graphic Designer
Rose Armstead became a part of the Living Hope community in 2013 and has been incredibly blessed by the thoughtful teaching and vibrant fellowship that abounds here. Officially, she serves in graphic design (and wherever needed unofficially). She is continually inspired by the beauty in Christ and his gospel of the Kingdom, which drives both her art and her practice as a disciple of Christ.
Bill Yaconis
Accountant and Prayer Ministry
Bill has been a part of the Living Hope International Ministries family since 2006. He and his wife Mary Ann moved to Florida in September 2020. However, he has continued to serve as the Living Hope accountant and coordinate the Church’s Prayer Ministry. Bill and Mary Ann also coordinate a weekly on-line Zoom Fellowship. His greatest joy (next to the Bible we have been taught) has by far been the love and acceptance he has experienced from the ministry’s leadership and all the members of the body here at Living Hope.
