Hope Church Employee Directory
Religious InstitutionsTennessee, United States201-500 Employees
Hope Church is a religious institution based in Cordova, Tennessee, founded in 1988 when its founding pastor, Dr. Craig Strickland, initiated a church plant in a Germantown living room with 25 charter members. Over time, the congregation expanded to a permanent worship space on Walnut Grove Road and grew to support a broad network of ministries serving thousands from Memphis and beyond, including outreach to areas such as the Bronx and Belize. The church emphasizes engaging un-churched neighbors—people who may have never attended church or who feel alienated by traditional church experiences—and aims to provide worship, practical Bible-based messages, and welcoming environments for newcomers as well as deeper study for existing members. In recent years, leadership transitioned to senior pastor Rev. Rufus Smith, with Craig Strickland continuing as Founding Pastor and Eli Morris continuing in his role as Senior Associate Pastor, reflecting ongoing organizational growth and community involvement. A notable recent development is a partnership announced in May 2026 with Community Action House, highlighting collaborative efforts to expand affordable housing initiatives. Hope Church operates within the religious institutions sector and serves a regional congregation with a focus on inclusivity, practical teaching, and community engagement.