our team
Don Stribling
Pastor
Our Pastor, the Reverend Don Stribling, graduated from Canyon High School in Canyon, TX. He earned a B.S. in Social Sciences from The University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR, and a M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.
He has served on the Committee on Ministry in three Presbyteries and was Commissioner from Palo Duro Presbytery to the 216th General Assembly.
Don is married to Thomasville, Georgia, native Denise Abel. They share their house with two cats, Oscar and Renny, and their backyard with four more felines.
Don is an avid reader of national and international news, following Karl Barth’s instruction that Christians must live their lives with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. He is also a big fan of Walter Brueggemann and admires the work of Matthew Vines, Brian McLaren, and Philip Gulley.
Susan Harvey
Director of Music
Dr. Harvey, a native of Virginia, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from James Madison University, a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech, and a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University. She currently serves Midwestern State University as professor of Music. Her trumpet playing has helped New Hope numerous times celebrate high holidays, and now, we finally convinced her to direct our choir.
Dr. Harvey loves hiking together with family members and gardening, though she still can’t figure out what plants actually grow in Wichita Falls—other than okra. Her cat, Norah Jones, is of no help, nor are the numerous community cats who love to visit.
Alyssa Kozlowski Ham
Accompanist
Our accompanist, Alyssa Kozlowski-Ham, earned her B.A in Jazz Piano, with a minor in classical piano, and her M.M in Collaborative Piano from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK. She is employed by Midwestern State University as an adjunct piano instructor and vocal coach and serves the Wichita Falls Independent School District as a collaborative pianist, accompanying both choir and band students for concerts and contests. She keeps busy with teaching private piano lessons, performing, and playing music with her husband Dwight, a guitarist.
As a native Oklahoman, she enjoys watching the OKC Thunder basketball team and attending OU Football games with her family. In her free time, Alyssa likes to go for walks at Lake Wichita, paint, and spend time with her orange tabby cat Hank who, incidentally, enjoys the music he produces when he walks on the piano keys.
Heather Putnam
Interim Bookkeeper
Our Interim Bookkeeper, Heather Putnam, is the proud wife of an army veteran and mother to two beautiful girls as well as three spunky dogs!
She graduated from Donna High School in Donna, TX, and attended college at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, IN.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family at functions and at home, gardening, and indulging in her biggest passion—music, singing in particular.
Rosaura (Rosie) Alvarado
Nursery Attendant
Our nursery attendant, Rosaura (Rosie) Alvarado is the mother of a boy and a girl who, together with her husband, tend to keep her busy.
She was born in Mexico and came to Texas when she was 12 years old. As a result, she is bilingual, which came in handy when she worked as an Early Headstart infant and toddler teacher. Currently, she serves Barwise Middle School as its administrative assistant.
She enjoys helping people and, when there are no other demands on her time, to take long walks on the beach.
session members
Sue Henson
Class of 2023
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Pat Osoinach
Class of 2024
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Friederike Wiedemann
Class of 2023
Allyn Arnold
Class of 2025
Stefan Davis
Class of 2024
Joan Pruitt
Class of 2025
