Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Wilbur.
Hi Brandon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began at New Hope in March of 2007. I initially started here as the worship pastor under Pastor Don Nicely. In April of 2018, I took over as the lead pastor. We began here with 8 people and last Sunday we had 101 people here.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This has been anything but a smooth road. Pastor Don had been here for 14yrs as the lead pastor and the people absolutely loved him. Initially the transition was meant with excitement from the congregation. As a matter of fact, I was voted in with 100% approval. Then along came 2020 and it didn’t matter what decision I made, I promise someone disagreed with it. But we stayed determined to keep our eyes focused on the main thing, and that is preaching and living the kingdom of heaven here on this earth. Church attendance dropped but are eyes remained up as we kept our focus on Jesus.
New Hope served as a beacon of light to this community. Our first giveaway after the country shutdown we gave away groceries to over 1,000 families in just one night. 300 students every year receive school supplies for free at our annual “Back to School Bash.” Each month our food pantry gives to average of 100 families each month. Before 2020 we used to hold an auction to raise the funds to operate our food pantry. Since 2020 we have not held an auction because the businesses in our community were struggling, I didn’t want to ask them for donations. But God has remained faithful because other people/businesses from the community without being asked has help give to the Hope Pantry.
We refused to let the chaos around us, be in us. At New Hope we believe that “His kingdom, is greater, than our culture.” Jesus doesn’t guarantee an easy life. In John 16:33 Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” While this world is fighting for victory. Those of us who are in Christ are fighting from a place of victory because Jesus has already defeated the enemy.
We went months without seeing someone give their life to Jesus. This year in 2025 we had 12 consecutive Sundays where someone gave their life to Jesus. We have seen drug addicts delivered, marriages restored. Prodigal sons and daughters are coming home.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the Lead Pastor of New Hope Church in Alliance, Ohio. I grew up as a pastor’s kid and when people asked me if I was ever going to pastor my quick response was never. As a matter of fact, when my wife and I started dating she asked me if I would ever pastor and I told her, “NO!” Which she was relieved about because she was a pastor’s kid as well. Now I tell people, “It’s the job I never wanted but it’s the job I couldn’t live without.”
I am extremely blessed because I get to watch people grow in their faith. Seeing those who have been Christians for years, but now they are living out their faith in their daily lives. Seeing men who were once addicted to drugs, alcohol, pornography. Now leading their families to Christ as husbands and fathers. We have marriages where the husband and wife were separated, and God healed their marriages.
I am nothing special, I am just your average guy. But I fell in love with the God who created me in my mother’s womb. He placed a purpose and a destiny inside of me that I have discovered through a relationship with Him. And I just simply want to help others do the same thing.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
1 Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard. Nor have entered into the heart of man. The thing which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Without giving you a 3-point message, let me say this. Too many people have died never discovering what God had intended for them. Why? Well, the shortest answer is this. They went to man instead of God. Some believed the lies of those that said they were worthless or a mistake. For others that may have had well intended good people around them who did everything they could to have a great life but never achieved their purpose because they simply never went to the one who created them.
Ephesians 2:10, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. According to this you were not created by your parents but rather you were created in Christ. Your parents just gave you a body. So, if you want to discover your, “Why?” Go to the One that created you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newhopeshines.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shinenewhope
