Meet the team.
Reverend Mark A. McDaniel
Senior Pastor
Dr. Mark McDaniel was born on Bitburg Air Base, Germany and raised in a military family. After his father’s retirement from the United States Air Force, Mark was raised in Austin, Texas, graduating from David Crockett High School in 1983. Between his junior and senior year of high school, Mark received his call to full-time Christian service. That November, Mark entered active-duty service with the Air Force as a Chaplain Assistant and served for nine years at Zweibruecken Air Base, Germany and Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota where he was licensed for Christian Ministry.
After OPERATION DESERT STORM, Mark left active duty and became an enlisted reserve Chaplain Assistant assigned to Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska where he served for three years. Mark began his Masters of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall of 1995 and graduated in 1998. During this period Mark was commissioned an Air Force Officer and served as a Chaplain Candidate. Upon graduation from Seminary, Mark reappointed as a reserve Chaplain and served until his retirement after 37 years of total service in early 2021. During his time as a chaplain, Mark deployed during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM to Balad Air Base, Iraq in 2005. He also completed his Doctor of Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary writing his dissertation on chaplain ministry during combat operations. During this same period Mark taught at the Junior High and High School level from 1999-2001 at Faith Christian High School and at the undergraduate and graduate level at the Arlington Baptist University until 2020.
Mark has served in various ministry capacities before becoming pastor at New Hope Community Church. He served as Associate Pastor at the Southwest Baptist Church in Austin, Texas from 1995-1996 where he was ordained for Christian Ministry; Worship Leader and Assistant Pastor at the Landmark Baptist Church in Kennedale, Texas from 1996-2005; College Ministry Assistant at the Pleasantview Baptist Church in Arlington Texas from 2005-2006; Interim Pastor at the Life and Liberty Church in Fort Worth, Texas from 2006-2007; and Chairman of the Board for A Place of Hope, Africa from 2007-2016. Mark became the Pastor of New Hope Community Church in 2020.
Mark was married to Brandi until her passing in February of 2024. In 2006, he and his late wife adopted two beautiful daughters, Grace and Hannah. Hannah passed away in 2024 with her mother. He currently resides in Arlington, Texas.
After OPERATION DESERT STORM, Mark left active duty and became an enlisted reserve Chaplain Assistant assigned to Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska where he served for three years. Mark began his Masters of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall of 1995 and graduated in 1998. During this period Mark was commissioned an Air Force Officer and served as a Chaplain Candidate. Upon graduation from Seminary, Mark reappointed as a reserve Chaplain and served until his retirement after 37 years of total service in early 2021. During his time as a chaplain, Mark deployed during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM to Balad Air Base, Iraq in 2005. He also completed his Doctor of Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary writing his dissertation on chaplain ministry during combat operations. During this same period Mark taught at the Junior High and High School level from 1999-2001 at Faith Christian High School and at the undergraduate and graduate level at the Arlington Baptist University until 2020.
Mark has served in various ministry capacities before becoming pastor at New Hope Community Church. He served as Associate Pastor at the Southwest Baptist Church in Austin, Texas from 1995-1996 where he was ordained for Christian Ministry; Worship Leader and Assistant Pastor at the Landmark Baptist Church in Kennedale, Texas from 1996-2005; College Ministry Assistant at the Pleasantview Baptist Church in Arlington Texas from 2005-2006; Interim Pastor at the Life and Liberty Church in Fort Worth, Texas from 2006-2007; and Chairman of the Board for A Place of Hope, Africa from 2007-2016. Mark became the Pastor of New Hope Community Church in 2020.
Mark was married to Brandi until her passing in February of 2024. In 2006, he and his late wife adopted two beautiful daughters, Grace and Hannah. Hannah passed away in 2024 with her mother. He currently resides in Arlington, Texas.
Alan & Heather Simmons
Worship Pastors
Alan and Heather Simmons are experienced worship leaders with a lifelong dedication to church ministry. Married for over 30 years, they have raised four children and are proud grandparents to two amazing grandsons. Together, they bring a wealth of musical talent and leadership, with Alan excelling as a keyboardist and trumpeter, and Heather as a vocalist and choir director.
In addition to their ministry work, Heather is a dedicated math specialist in a charter school, providing support and expertise to teachers and students. Alan is the owner of Next Level Media Solutions, a thriving promotional products business that helps organizations elevate their branding. They have also spent many years, as a family, visiting Ecuador on mission trips to serve the indigenous people in the Riobamaba area.
The Simmons have served in multiple churches, contributing to worship teams, choirs, and special events. Their love for God, education, and music is at the heart of their ministry and professional lives, inspiring others through their service and talents.
In addition to their ministry work, Heather is a dedicated math specialist in a charter school, providing support and expertise to teachers and students. Alan is the owner of Next Level Media Solutions, a thriving promotional products business that helps organizations elevate their branding. They have also spent many years, as a family, visiting Ecuador on mission trips to serve the indigenous people in the Riobamaba area.
The Simmons have served in multiple churches, contributing to worship teams, choirs, and special events. Their love for God, education, and music is at the heart of their ministry and professional lives, inspiring others through their service and talents.
Kevin Korando
Deacon and Treasurer
Gloria Korando
Administrative Assistant and Church Clerk
Wayne Thames
Chairperson, Leadership Team
Leadership team
2024
Wayne Thames, Michael Pyron, Vicki Storm, Treva Rawlinson, Darla Kelley