New Hope UMC Team
Pastoral Staff
Pastor Rod Newman came to New Hope as Senior Pastor in July 2021. Over the course of his career, he has served as both associate and senior pastor in a number of churches, professor, author, and university chaplain. Rod grew up in Coweta, Oklahoma. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa and his master of divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. When not at the church, he enjoys spending time with family, cooking, travel, and watching or reading British detective stories. He has a particular interest in Celtic Christianity, a topic upon which he frequently lectures, has taught undergraduate courses, and led study-abroad trips to Ireland.
Email: rod@newhopeokc.org
Rev. Rod Newman, Senior Pastor
Rev. Thomas Hoffmann, Executive Pastor
The Rev. Thomas Hoffmann is New Hope’s Executive Minister and the newest member of our team. His United Methodist ministry service spans both Oklahoma and Russia. In his retirement, he works as a certified Transitional Minister, a local church coach, and a consultant to non-profit boards of directors. Thomas holds a Master of Divinity degree, a Master of Science degree in long-range strategic planning, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in race relations. He is a certified Spiritual Director. Beyond his professional life, Thomas is a space science writer and enthusiast, a family history researcher, and a student of Middle East peacemaking efforts. He shares these interests with his wife Nancy, including their love for world travel, reading, bicycling, and their dogs and cats.
Email: thomas@newhopeokc.org
Rev. Linda Brinkworth, Minister of Pastoral Care
Pastor Linda Brinkworth joined New Hope UMC in membership in April 2023. She was raised in Oklahoma City and completed a Bachelor's degree at OCU and Masters of Divinity degree at Phillips Theological Seminary. She was ordained as an elder in 1995 while serving at Church of the Servant. She then accepted the position of Director of Resident Life at Epworth Villa, and then served as an associate at St. Luke's UMC. Her son and his wife live in Edmond and are expecting their second child in September 2024. She is very proud of her family and their accomplishments! When not at church, she enjoys being a Master Gardener (even if her own yard doesn't show it). She has been affiliated with Neighborhood Services for eight years, serving six years on the board of directors and two years as president of the board. She is on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation. Linda is passionate about travel, visiting family in the states and traveling Europe and Africa. She hopes to return to Africa in 2026.
Email: linda@newhopeokc.org
Program & Administrative Staff
Amy Aita, Director of Preschool Ministries
Amy Aita is the Preschool Ministries Director. Amy has been an active member of New Hope since 2000. She attended UCO and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Ed. After teaching first and second grade for three years, Amy then stayed home with her oldest son after his birth. Since then, Amy has worked part-time as an elementary reading tutor, preschool literacy teacher, and helped start the Pre-K program for New Hope’s CDO program before becoming the CDO director in January of 2019. Outside of work, Amy likes to spend time with her husband and their two boys. She also enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with friends, and shopping.
Email: amy@newhopeokc.org
Maddy Day, Director of Youth Ministry
Maddy Day is the Director of Youth Ministry. Maddy began working at New Hope in November 2021 as the Youth Intern. She started working with youth in camping ministries after she graduated from Yukon High School in 2018. Maddy also interned at her home church, The United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd, from 2020-2021. She recently graduated college from Oklahoma City University in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry and Religious Education. Maddy loves hiking, hammocking, and adventuring in nature. She loves cats and is a cat mom to Cleo. Maddy is also a big foodie and loves exploring new places to eat downtown. You can also check Maddy rocking a Chaco tan, fun nails she does herself, or reading a million books at the same time!
Email: maddy@newhopeokc.org
Rebecca Herbig, Reception & Hospitality Coordinator
Rebecca has been at New Hope UMC since November 2022 and joined the church in May 2023. In her role as Receptionist & Hospitality Coordinator, she greets people, helps them find what/who they need, and provides administrative support to the church’s staff and various ministries. Rebecca started this position June 17, 2024. She has a Bachelor of Management from University of Oklahoma and spent the majority of her career as a Product Marketing Manager at various technology companies. She grew up mostly in Broken Arrow OK, with her career taking her to Kansas City, Atlanta & most recently, the DFW area. Rebecca moved back to Oklahoma in 2020. She loves to sing and is a member of the New Hope choir. She is an avid reader, mostly mysteries, enjoys thrifting and antiquing, going to cultural events and spending time with friends and family.
Email: rebecca@newhopeokc.org
Lois Medina, Associate Director of Children’s Ministry
Lois Medina is the Associate Director of Children’s Ministry. She has been a member at New Hope for 21 years and has served in a staff role for 7 years. Lois graduated from Oklahoma City University twice where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science/Philosophy and a Master’s in Business Administration. During the week, Lois is with the Downtown YMCA as the District Youth & Family Director. Outside of the church, Lois enjoys hanging out with her family, going to the movies, and watching her favorite show, The Golden Girls.
Luisa Medina, Director of Children’s and Family Ministries
Luisa Medina is the Director of Children’s and Family Ministries. Raised in Oklahoma City, Luisa has been involved at New Hope since her family joined when she was in 4th grade. Throughout college she worked as an intern with both the Youth and Children’s Ministries at New Hope. Luisa has been the full-time Director of Children’s and Family Ministries for almost 8 years. Luisa attended college at Oklahoma City University where she graduated with a degree in Religious Education and Children’s Theater in 2013. Before coming to work at New Hope, Luisa worked for the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church in their Office of Mission. Outside of the church, Luisa is an avid reader, she loves Taylor Swift, and is obsessed with true crime podcasts. She also loves spending time with family and relaxing around the house.
Email: luisa@newhopeokc.org
Email: ray@newhopeokc.org
Ray Newsom, Business Manager
Tyler Stone, Director of Church Music & Organist
Having formerly served as both the Associate Director of Traditional Worship and the Director of Youth Ministries, Tyler Stone currently serves as New Hope’s Director of Church Music and Organist. Tyler joined New Hope’s ministry team in 2017 as Organist while completing his undergraduate degree in Music Education at Oklahoma City University. He later pursued a Master of Music degree, also from OCU which he completed in 2020. He became the Director of Youth Ministries in the Fall of 2020 and served as the director until June 2022.
Outside of church, Tyler is a performer with Canterbury Voices and an avid fan of motorsports.
Email: tyler@newhopeokc.org