Our Leadership Team

Lead Pastor

Pastor Steve Miller

Steve Miller is the Lead Pastor of New Hope Assembly of God serving this congregation since 1993. Pastor Steve has over 39 years of full-time pastoral experience. He graduated from Southeastern University and holds a Master’s Degree in Church Leadership. He believes very strongly in missions, both Foreign and Home. “Missions” is the very heartbeat of the church. As we follow the Great Commission, coupled with the Great Commandment, we are sure to honor the Lord, and He will honor us with His blessings.

Pastor Steve and his wife, Lillian, have three children, Tiffany (Andy), Kimberly(Jake) and Stephen (Jamie). They also have six grandchildren. They LOVE this church and considers this HOME.

Missions Pastor

Pastor Joann Oldenkamp

I was saved at the age of 16 in an A/G church. Throughout the coming years I was a member of an A/G church in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. I married, had children and became a widow at age 63. A year later God called me into the ministry and I received my credentials at age 65. I am Missions Coordinator and Senior Adult Pastor here.

About 25 years ago when Pastor Steve became our Pastor and he instilled into our hearts a love for Missions. I have been involved in 12 home and foreign missions trips, and for 26 years have sent birthday and anniversary cards to everyone of our 40+missionaries and their families that our church helps support.

Minister of Music

Pastor Joel Moore

My name is Joel Moore and it is an honor for me to serve as Minister of Music here at New Hope. I began my musical journey learning to play the saxophone at the age of 9. I fell in love with music and eventually learned to play a number of other instruments. At 17 years of age, my pastor invited me to lead worship for a vacation bible school. That started a music ministry that has now lasted for over two decades.

After high school, I studied instrumental music, vocal music, and theater in college. I was involved in numerous instrumental and choral ensembles, as well as theatrical productions. In 1998, I received my Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University. I returned to school a few years later and received my Master of Music degree in Music Education from the same institution. In addition to the ministry at New Hope, I serve as the Director of Choral Activities at Olivet College. I teach private voice lessons to 20 students each week and serve the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. I reside in Three Rivers with my wonderful wife Kathy, my three children – Joshua, Caleb, and Natalie, two cats, two dogs, 15 fish, and a turtle named Mr. Nubs.

Business Administrator

Lillian Miller

Steve and I arrived in Three Rivers back in February of 1993. I have been honored to serve in many capacities and one being the Business Administrator. I am truly blessed to be able to be part of anywhere the Lord needs me. Throughout the years here, we have been blessed to see our three children grow up here, go off to college, get married and now have the continued blessing of grandchildren.

Steve and I grew up together in Norwalk, Connecticut, going to the same elementary school, junior high, high school and college together at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. I also returned home to get my Business Degree from Katherine Gibbs Business College in Connecticut. Steve and I attended Parkway Assembly of God in Norwalk when we were growing up and I truly believe that is where we both saw and experienced what a true call into ministry was.

Our ministry together has taken us to some of the most wonderful churches in our fellowship as Youth Pastors and Adult ministers. We are blessed to have lifelong friendships all over the country. My favorite things to do are of course, horseback riding, euchre, star trek and spending time with my family.

Youth Pastor

Clay Palmitier

I have been serving as youth pastor at New Hope Assembly since fall of 2014. Before entering full time ministry, I participated in the Christian Leadership and Ministry bachelor degree program at Northpoint Bible College Grand Rapids for four years, eventually graduating in spring of 2014. While in school, I enjoyed working a part time position in several retail stores as well as volunteering and interning in youth ministry. Ministry has been a significant part of my life since my teenage years. While attending a Christian high school, I felt a strong call from the Lord to serve in full time ministry. Very soon after, He started revealing to me a deep desire to minister to teenagers. The years spent in high and middle school are detrimental to one’s faith, and I recognized the need for committed pastors dedicated to loving teenage students and proclaiming truth over their lives. Through the Lord’s guidance and aid, I was led to New Hope Assembly in Three Rivers.

In 2012, I met my wife, Nichole, while sharing classes with her at college. After a year long friendship, we began dating in 2013 and eventually married each other on a wonderful July evening in 2015. Since then, we have started a great life together in Three Rivers! We enjoy our weekends going out, watching movies and television series, staying active outdoors, and spending plenty of our time playing with our little golden retriever, Cedar.

When I am not directly working with teenagers our on other ministerial duties, I enjoy hanging out with my younger brother and sisters, parents, parent-in-laws, and other extended family. Family has always been a significant part of life, and it’s one of my favorite ways to spend my time. You can also find me in my spare time reading fiction, playing table top games with friends, or learning seemingly random information from the internet. I have also been known to never turn down a good slice of pizza.

Office Manager

Nichole Palmitier

Hi, I am Nichole Palmitier and currently serving as the office manager at New Hope! While I am not in the office you can find me with the youth serving in youth ministry with my husband. I am a graduate of Northpoint Bible College Grand Rapids of 2016 with my Bachelors in Christian Leadership and while attending NBCGR that where I met my husband Clay. I have a passion for youth and teaching God’s Word along with discipling students and watching them grow in Christ! I am also involved with helping teach adult Christian Education hour on Sunday mornings. Some of my hobbies include working out, painting, doing anything with ceramics and cooking. I enjoy many of the older sitcoms such as Gilligan’s Island as well as crime shows. I like watching a variety of sports but MMA and football are among my favorites. In my spare time you can find me out walking my dog, hanging out with friends or looking up new cooking recipes. I love exotic foods, and I always try something new when going out eat!