Discovering and Delivering Hope on Mt. Hope Road
Located on Mt. Hope Road in Webb City, Missouri, Mt. Hope Church of Christ has built its identity around a single, repeated phrase: helping people discover and deliver the hope of Jesus. The congregation meets at 2830 Mt. Hope Road and operates as a Church of Christ rooted in Bible teaching, family ministry, and an unusually broad set of support services, ranging from a Christian counseling center serving the four-state area to youth mission trips into Mexico.
Sundays on Mt. Hope Road
Sunday mornings follow a classic Church of Christ pattern. Bible classes for all ages begin at 9:30 am, and the main service follows at 10:30 am. Children's programming for Pre-K through sixth grade runs at the same time as the main service in the Children's Center, while infants through 18 months have their own nursery in the East Hallway. The main service is also livestreamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person. A printable guide titled "What You Can Expect Here" is available to help first-time visitors prepare.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Wednesday evenings extend the Sunday rhythm. Adult Bible classes and children's classes meet at 6:30 pm, and the Student Ministry gathers from 6:30 to 8 pm. During the school year the Wednesday night student program begins with a whole-church meal at 5:30 pm, followed on most weeks by a lesson and small group time, with some weeks given over to a student-led worship service and a large-group game. During the summer, students typically share a devotional and then break for a big game.
Kingdom Kids
Mt. Hope's children's ministry, Kingdom Kids, is coordinated by Fred Mintert, a creative art teacher with a passion for helping the next generation. Children from Pre-K through sixth grade meet in the Children's Center during the 10:30 am service, while the East Hallway nursery cares for infants through 18 months. The philosophy is straightforward: little ones are always welcome in the main service, but the customized children's programming helps them learn about the Bible in an age-appropriate way. Volunteers with experience working with this age group are regularly invited to step in.
Students: 7th Through 12th Grade
The Student Ministry serves seventh through twelfth graders and is directed by Nate Lynn. In addition to the Wednesday night program, students gather on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am for Bible study and discussion in the Family Life Center, then join the 10:30 am all-church service. The ministry keeps students connected between meetings through a Facebook group, an Instagram account (@mthopestudents), text updates, and an email subscription list.
LTC: Leadership Training for Christ
Mt. Hope participates in Leadership Training for Christ, a program that works with students in grades three through twelve to build skills in leadership, Bible knowledge, and Christian service. LTC Director Amber Mintert, an experienced educator, oversees Mt. Hope's involvement. Events are individual and group-based and are designed to encourage spiritual, mental, and social growth in a supportive, high-achievement environment.
Mt. Hope Christian Counseling Center
Distinctive among area congregations, Mt. Hope operates a full Christian counseling center that serves individuals, couples, families, and groups across the four-state area. Services include individual counseling, couples counseling, family counseling, group counseling, and support around eating disorders. The center is led by Dr. Karl Wendt, who also serves on the preaching team. Sessions are Biblically based, Christ-centered, and offered on an affordable basis. Clients can book through Simple Practice online, or call (417) 624-9659 or email counseling@mthope.church.
Financial Coaching
Under the same roof, Mt. Hope also offers financial coaching through Erin Taylor, a Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach. Appointments can be booked by calling (417) 624-9659 or by emailing mthopecoach@gmail.com.
Small Groups in Homes Across the Week
Small groups are described as one of the main ways members build deeper community. Groups gather in homes throughout the week to encourage one another and practice spiritual habits that form disciples of Jesus. The stated focus is on discovering how to deliver the hope of Jesus in a practical sense to one another and to the surrounding neighborhoods. Those interested can use a small groups inquiry form.
Missions: Local and Global
Mt. Hope supports an unusually wide network of missions. Locally, the church partners with Souls Harbor, a Joplin homeless shelter that provides beds and hot meals to those in need. On the global side, supported ministries include Peace On Earth Ministries (POEM), Good News Productions (GNPI), the Manuelito Navajo Children's Home in Gallup, New Mexico, Breaking Chains Ministry in Honduras, and the Darrell Memorial Bible Institute in Nigeria and Cameroon. The church also supports Dan Keele and Terry Laurence, two men who preach, teach, and plant new churches on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona.
Every summer, a group of about 20 to 30 youth and adults travels to Vida Nueva Ministries near Piedras Negras, Mexico. The school is the only non-Catholic private school in the entire country and is in the process of building a high school. Another team of about 15 to 25 loads up each year for Shiprock, New Mexico, where they partner with the local church to run a vacation Bible school for children and a Bible class for adults.
Leadership and Visiting
The preaching team is shared by Dr. Karl Wendt, who serves as counseling minister in addition to directing the counseling center, and Victor Knowles, who serves as teaching minister. Phil Hobbs leads the buildings ministry. The team's stated purpose is to help people become part of the family at Mt. Hope and use their God-given gifts to make a positive difference in others' lives.
The church office is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 to 4:00 pm, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Giving is available online through Chip-In and Givelify, and a member directory is maintained through the Church Connect app. Those wanting prayer support can submit prayer requests to the church, and visitors are invited to set up an appointment with one of the ministers to get to know the church.