Pastor Jim Hogg was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. After graduating from high school, he felt a call to ministry and began attending the Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota where he received his Bachelors degree in Apostolic Studies and Theology. While at ABI he met Lesley Rauch, who also received her Bachelors degree in Apostolic Studies and Theology; and they married in June of 1972.

After graduation, Jim and Lesley stayed on in St. Paul for a time, teaching and helping in their local church. They began their ministry together in Hamilton, Ohio where they served in various ministerial capacities. Since that time they have ministered in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Elgin, Illinois and Grand Rapids, Michigan as well as assisting pastors and churches that were in crises situations. They most recently served for eight years with the pastoral staff at the 6,000 member Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee; he as Men’s Ministry Director and in various other areas, Lesley as a Board member, Word & Spirit Conference Coordinator, Missions Administrative Assistant and Women’s Ministry Coordinator. While at Christ Church they also volunteered with the Billy Graham Crusade in Nashville.

In May, 2005 Pastor Jim became Senior Pastor of Living Hope Community Church (formerly Celebration Worship Center).

Jim, an ordained minister, is a member of the Global Network of Christian Ministries, a ministerial fellowship. www.global-ministries.com.  They have 2 married children, Jacalyn and Justin. Jacalyn and her husband, Clayton Martin, are the parents of two children, Nicklas and Gabrielle and reside in Byron Center. Justin and his wife Sarah make their home in Columbia, Missouri. 

Jim and Lesley are excited to pastor, serve and grow with the congregation of Living Hope Community Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the surrounding community.