First Impressions

Greetings to my Living Hope family! I am Kirby Ramsey, the First Impressions Coordinator at Living Hope. I work with and assist Mark Gilliam, the Staff Liaison, for First Impressions. My wife Judy and I have been attending Living Hope for almost ten years. We chose to attend Living Hope to be with our youngest son, Derek Willis and his now wife, Ja’net as they worshiped our Lord. We are blessed with five grown children and ten grandchildren and truly enjoy serving in First Impressions at Living Hope. We both got involved in the First Impressions Ministry at the Knicely Center assisting Jeff Carlisle for the period of time Living Hope maintained two locations for Sunday services. We found that by serving in First Impressions you could not help but meet new people, both members and visitors who were trying us out for the first time.

Most people realize that members of the First Impression team serve to create an atmosphere of welcome to all who venture onto Living Hope property. The First Impressions program consists of several divisions with everyone performing their duties in a manner both pleasing to our Lord and respectful to everyone who frequents our worship services and activities. Our divisions include:

First and foremost the task of helping members and guests find a suitable parking spot in our huge parking lot is directed by David Knighton. David always arrives early to strategically place entrance and directional signage for everyone. Along with the First Touch team members, members assisting with vehicular traffic serve in all kinds of weather, both good and bad. The First Touch Ministry is under the supervision of Tim Booth. You’ll find First Touch in our parking lot looking for and greeting visitors and guests as well as regular attendees. First Touch is simply an extension of the Greeters division headed by Cathy Adams. Greeters are stationed at every entrance for every service and with a smile, a friendly handshake and a welcoming comment, make sure everyone who enters our facility feels at home once inside. The Welcome Center team is headed by Murl and Trudy Weaver and offer everyone literature, information, and assistance in locating particular classrooms at Living Hope. Ushers are led by Blaine Whitmer and provide a third round of welcoming smiles, handing out worship guides, assist individuals in locating an available seat and collect offerings. Last but not least First Impressions also handles hall monitoring under the direction of Jimmy Thomas. Particular emphasis is placed on areas in and around the children’s area of our facility.

With all this being said, it’s important to realize that First Impressions is all about serving with a goal of having individuals experience such a fantastic feeling of warmth and friendliness that they will want to keep coming back. In Matthew 13:9 it says “Let anyone with ears listen.” From a First Impressions perspective, one can’t hear the word of God nor listen and understand its meaning, without being present. For this very reason First Impression team members have numerous opportunities to make Living Hope stand out as a godly place of worship, with loving people who want and pray for non-believers to “Get to God, Grow in Christ, and Give to Others.” It’s a very small part but as the saying goes, one’s first impression is usually a controlling factor in their decision to like or dislike someone, some place, or some thing. It’s hard to change someone’s first impression so members of the First Impression team know full well the importance of putting their best foot forward so if Living Hope is being appraised by someone visiting for the first time, it will be a positive appraisal. Helping Living Hope grow by making a fabulous impression on people is a major goal of the First Impressions Ministry. If you’re not currently serving in another ministry at Living Hope, please know that you are so welcome to become an active member of our First Impressions team. May God bless you and your family and may He help you find your ministry at Living Hope.