Welcoming
Welcoming to ALL & enjoying life together.
About Us
Who We Are
New Hope Aptos exists to help people find hope. We believe our church has been created to help teach people how to Love God, Love People and Serve the World. At NHA you will hear relevant biblical teaching that will help you grow in your walk with the Lord. We’re a family at NHA! We have several ways for YOU to get involved. Our heart is that you would feel welcomed and part of our church family.
Our Core Values
Passionate
Passionate prayer & lifestyle of worship.
Pursuing
Pursuing biblical truth & spiritual growth.
Compassion
Global compassion & serving community.
Meet Our Team
Lead Pastor
Executive Pastor
Online Pastor
Our History
Aptos Assembly of God, now known as New Hope Aptos, has a rich history within Aptos and the greater Santa Cruz and Watsonville areas. It all began in 1950 as a Bible Study in Valencia Hall, a one-room country schoolhouse and former post office, located at Valencia Road and Bean Hill Road. As attendance at the Bible Study grew, the group decided to form a church.
In 1954, Aptos Assembly of God was formed, and Rev. Warren Pine was selected as the first pastor (1954-1968). Eventually, the church moved into another old schoolhouse located at 7970 Soquel Drive. The church continued to meet at this location until 1978.
Shortly after Rev. Tim Zemanek Jr. was elected pastor (1975-1979), the church began looking for a new location to support its recent growth and vision. The church decided to purchase a ranch located at 7200 Freedom Boulevard in Aptos, across from the high school. The ground breaking for the new church building occurred in 1976, and by 1978, the first phase of construction was complete. In that year, the church started meeting in the Fellowship Hall, the first part of the building that was completed. The church’s construction was finished in 1979, and by this time, the church had roughly 150 people gathering, worshipping, and serving together.
While Rev. Stan Steward was pastor from 1979 to 1988, the church continued to grow, reaching an average attendance of 225. It also started one of the ministries the community would remember to this day: a preschool. In 1982, the church opened the preschool that at its peak cared for over 50 children on any given day. The preschool continued to operate for nearly 30 years. Near the end of Rev. Steward’s tenure, in 1985, the sanctuary was extended to make room for everyone who now made Aptos Assembly their church home.
In 1989, the church started a food pantry under the leadership of Rev. David Colbert (1988-1992). The food pantry is still in operation today and collaborates with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide fresh produce to over 40 families twice a month.
The church changed its name to Aptos Christian Fellowship in 1997, under the leadership of Dr. Jimmie Brewer, who served as pastor from 1995 to 2007.
Starting in 2010, the church started an annual event called the Freedom Roads Music Fest under the leadership of Rev. Marshall Morse (2009-2014), which brought together visual and performing artists from throughout the community. This event continued in this form until 2013.
Later, in 2015, the church changed its name to Freedom Roads of the Assemblies of God and Freedom Roads Music Center under the leadership of Rev. Art Gorman (2014-2017).
At the beginning of 2017, the church partnered with New Hope Community Church in Gilroy, California, under the leadership of Rev. Malcolm MacPhail. In this partnership, the churches operated as one church in multiple locations: Gilroy, Aptos, and Santa Cruz.
In 1954, Aptos Assembly of God was formed, and Rev. Warren Pine was selected as the first pastor (1954-1968). Eventually, the church moved into another old schoolhouse located at 7970 Soquel Drive. The church continued to meet at this location until 1978.
Shortly after Rev. Tim Zemanek Jr. was elected pastor (1975-1979), the church began looking for a new location to support its recent growth and vision. The church decided to purchase a ranch located at 7200 Freedom Boulevard in Aptos, across from the high school. The ground breaking for the new church building occurred in 1976, and by 1978, the first phase of construction was complete. In that year, the church started meeting in the Fellowship Hall, the first part of the building that was completed. The church’s construction was finished in 1979, and by this time, the church had roughly 150 people gathering, worshipping, and serving together.
While Rev. Stan Steward was pastor from 1979 to 1988, the church continued to grow, reaching an average attendance of 225. It also started one of the ministries the community would remember to this day: a preschool. In 1982, the church opened the preschool that at its peak cared for over 50 children on any given day. The preschool continued to operate for nearly 30 years. Near the end of Rev. Steward’s tenure, in 1985, the sanctuary was extended to make room for everyone who now made Aptos Assembly their church home.
In 1989, the church started a food pantry under the leadership of Rev. David Colbert (1988-1992). The food pantry is still in operation today and collaborates with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide fresh produce to over 40 families twice a month.
The church changed its name to Aptos Christian Fellowship in 1997, under the leadership of Dr. Jimmie Brewer, who served as pastor from 1995 to 2007.
Starting in 2010, the church started an annual event called the Freedom Roads Music Fest under the leadership of Rev. Marshall Morse (2009-2014), which brought together visual and performing artists from throughout the community. This event continued in this form until 2013.
Later, in 2015, the church changed its name to Freedom Roads of the Assemblies of God and Freedom Roads Music Center under the leadership of Rev. Art Gorman (2014-2017).
At the beginning of 2017, the church partnered with New Hope Community Church in Gilroy, California, under the leadership of Rev. Malcolm MacPhail. In this partnership, the churches operated as one church in multiple locations: Gilroy, Aptos, and Santa Cruz.
We are excited to announce that our church is now district affiliated and has embraced the name New Hope Aptos! Under the guidance of our dedicated pastors, we have fostered a vibrant community of faith. Rev. Scott Olson Jr. led our congregation from 2017 to 2019, followed by Rev. Ed Delfin, who served from 2019 to 2023, and we are thrilled to welcome Pastor Cisco Lopez, who has taken the reins in 2023. Together, we look forward to continuing our mission of hope, love, and service within our community and beyond.
We believe our communities are made healthy and whole as we love God, love people, and serve the world.