Leadership
We are a community of baptized believers in Christ. We hold that there are three “offices” that make up a church, following the New Testament pattern: members, pastors, and deacons.
Members are men and women in the church who exercise the authority and privileges given to the church by Christ Himself. The local church is called to guard the gospel through holding firmly to the faith, bearing responsibility for discipleship, and fulfilling the Great Commission (1 Cor. 12:27; 1 Tim. 3:15; Matt.16:13-19; 18:15-20; 28:18-20). (learn more about Membership here)
Elders/Pastors are men in the church who, according to Scripture, are called to devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer, and give leadership and oversight to the church (Acts 6:4; 20:28; Heb. 13:17). Their qualifications are laid out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Deacons are men and women in the church who serve and uphold the ministry of the Word and prayer by freeing the elders up to devote themselves to their calling. Deacons and deaconesses do this by giving oversight to particular ministries and, in so doing, protect the unity of the church (Acts 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
Our Pastors
Joel Sedam
Joel grew up in Westerly, RI. In his final year of high school, after a spiritual awakening in his life, he became increasingly open to the possibility of giving himself to full-time Christian ministry, in whatever capacity that might be. After graduating with a B.A. in Theology, he and his wife Jen moved to Providence and connected with the ministry of Grace Harbor Church. In 2009, Joel also began working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Roger Williams University. He went on to serve as an elder and associate pastor at Grace Harbor. Joel obtained his M.Div. from Southern Seminary in Louisville. He and Jen are continually grateful to call Bristol their home since June of 2015. They are parents to Peter, Margot, Harrison, and Cal (and a springer spaniel named Sylvie).
Bill O’Dell
Bill grew up in Newport, R.I. as child number five of six children. He became a Christian as a young man having been given a desire to know God from childhood thanks in large part to the strong faith he observed in his parents. After marrying Wendy, Bill moved to Bristol to take a job as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. After a long career, Bill retired, giving him more time for his wife, his two children and their families. God’s plenary has also brought Bill to a place where he can joyfully minister to the local church that divine providence has blessed him with. He continues to be grateful for his days of ministry at Mount Hope Church realizing that the days previously provided and the days yet to come will be measured out by God's same loving hand.
Our Deacons
Verne Edwards
Kara Carvalho
Brookes Wittkamper
Membership
Learn more about membership at Mount Hope Church.
