Meet the Nominees for the Hope Lutheran Church Congregational Council!

The following individuals are running for elected positions on Hope's Church Council in 2023. Voting will take place during our Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 5 at 12:30pm at Hope Central Campus.

Katherine (Kathy) Beekman

Kathy has fulfilled many challenging positions in her professional career, including as a Director of Operations, a Budget & Financial Officer, a Business Manager, and a Project Manager. All of her career paths have included an element of service, specifically to the United States federal government and military.

Kathy worked as a financial officer for the federal government, as well as an Operations and Business manager for a not-for-profit organization which focused on sustaining healthy youth and families. She was also a project manager for a government contractor and worked on Department of Defense installations supporting military families, planning and opening charter schools for disadvantaged youth, and leading local community service organizations.

Kathy has held a certificate from the Project Management Institute. She previously taught Sunday School in Ketchikan, Alaska, and is an active member of H.O.P.E. University, On Our Own, the Hope Southern Neighbors Social Group, and more here at Hope Lutheran Church. She is currently a Hope Council Member-at-Large and has served as liaison for the Hope Lake Weir Campus Food Pantry, On Our Own, and Women of Hope. Kathy was a delegate to the 2022 Synod Conference.

In Her Own Words: “First, I bring a faith to share with others. I bring experienced leadership for project and strategic planning, capital campaigns, and program development through implementation. I understand the need for a balance of risk assessment and growth. I will lead Hope Lutheran Church through the upcoming path from "Too Big to be Little but Too Little to be Big." I bring a diversity in working with many groups of people from Alaska to Florida, from Arizona to New York and places in between. I can see the big picture and focus on the little things for a successful completion. I will earn your trust by my actions, being honest and straightforward, while cultivating dignity and respect. Success requires communication. Communication requires listening. I will actively listen to the congregation, engage in dialogue to reach consensus and decision.”

Kristina Giffin

As a former Human Resource Director, Kristina managed the hiring, termination, compensation, benefits, and training of 500 exempt and non-exempt corporate employees. She implemented flexible work hours, tele-commuting, and job sharing. She also managed morale surveys, 360-degree feedback, review processes, and other human resources tools. She served in the Public Affairs Department at the Sears, Roebuck and Co. corporate offices in Chicago and managed Investor and Annuals Reports.



Kristina has undergraduate degrees from the European branch of the University of Maryland and from Rhode Island College. At Hope Lutheran Church, Kristina serves as a Worship Assistant, Communion Server, Narthex Server, and a current Hope Council Member-at-Large. She also served at her previous church in South Carolina, where she was on the Church Council, the Mutual Ministry Team, and the Evangelism Committee. In the past, Kristina has served as a Prayer Leader, Reader, and Leader of a Youth Group. She has also facilitated and participated in Bible Study groups both in The Villages and her previous town.

In Her Own Words: ”I have served in leadership positions in both corporate and volunteer positions. I am accustomed to public speaking, leading organizations, and working as a team member to make all participants feel valued. I look forward to helping shape a strategy that will carry Hope Lutheran Church into the coming years. In addition to being the largest and fastest- growing church in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Hope is known as a concerned and giving community of believers. The opportunity for growth and outreach at all three Hope sites is limited only by what we don't attempt! I believe the LORD has a plan to touch many lives through Hope Lutheran Church, and I am excited to be part of Hope's growth!”

Richard Gal

Richard is a former Manufacturing Engineer who worked in Senior Leadership at several private companies and retired as a civil servant at Eglin AFB, Florida. His areas of expertise include Strategic Planning, Manufacturing and Quality Engineering, and Management.

Richard holds an MBA in Management from Eastern Michigan University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management Engineering from Youngstown State University. Previously, he served as President of the Church Council at St. Paul Lutheran Church, as well as Deacon and leader of a call committee at the same church. He was on the endowment committee at Advent Lutheran Church in Ohio and served as Elder at Faith Lutheran Church in Florida.

In His Own Words: “I have been blessed to hold leadership positions at work and in volunteer organizations. I served as President of the Mid Bay Rotary club in Niceville, FL, winning mid-size club of the year. I was a three-year examiner for the National Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award that recognizes high-functioning organizations. I pledge to support the Pastors as well as the many organizations working to fulfill Hope's mission "To know Christ and to make Christ known." In addition, my worshipping at Hope South Campus will ensure that the Church Council will have additional insight into building and worship activities.”

Patrick Sawler

Patrick is a Realtor with Exit Realty. Previously, he was a Financial Associate for Thrivent Financial. He was also the Director of Technical Support for Unipress/Numara/BMC Software for 29 years. He has a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.

As a life-long Lutheran, Patrick has worn many hats. He has served as Sunday School teacher, Youth Advisor, Call Committee member, church member liaison, President, Vice-President, and Property Manager on Council at his previous church, Zion Lutheran Church in Rahway, NJ.

He is presently a member of the A/V set-up team at Hope at the Everglades Rec Center and works at the Hope Lake Weir Campus Food Pantry.

In His Own Words: “I enjoy working with people of all ages. I am proficient at conflict dispute and negotiation and bring many years of past experience on Council to the table. Thank you for your consideration.”

Hope Lutheran Church

250 Avenida Los Angelos, The Villages, FL 32162

(352) 750-2321 hope4all.church