Meet Our Staff

Sam Hamstra Jr.

As founder of Living Hope Church, Pastor Hamstra responded to God's call to plant a new congregation in the southwest suburbs of Chicago after nearly 30 years serving established congregations. The vision the Lord has given him for LHC is a church family characterized by openness to the Holy Sprit, a commitment to the Reformed faith, and a commitment to multi-ethnicity.

Before embarking on this new endeavor, Pastor Hamstra served the Palos Heights Christian Reformed Church, the Thorn Creek Reformed Church (South Holland, IL), the Peace Reformed Church (Mt. Prospect, IL), and the Community Reformed Church (Delavan, WI). Prior to pastoring the Palos Heights church, he served Trinity Christian College in several capacities and had the honor of being the college's first chaplain.

Pastor Hamstra's ministry extends beyond the local church. He is an author, teacher, consultant, and musician. As an author, he has published several works, including Principled Worship: Biblical Guidelines for Emerging Liturgies (Wipf & Stock, 2006). As a teacher, he serves as Affiliate Professor of Worship and Church History at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, IL. As a consultant, he helps a select number of congregations open up new chapters for ministry. He has been especially effective in helping congregational search committees find new pastors. As a musician, he has written several songs for congregational worship.

His educational background includes:Timothy Christian High School (Elmhurst, IL); Lipscomb University (Nashville, TN), B.A. in music; Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), M.A. in biblical studies; McCormick Theological Seminary (Chicago, IL), M.Div.; Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI), Ph.D. in historical theology. 

Pastor Hamstra and Debbie (Ploegman) have enjoyed 37 years of marriage together. They have been blessed with four children: Karrie (Brandon) Wright, Samuel (Taylor), Mark (Sandra), and David.

Chris Cano

Co-Pastor Chris Cano grew up in California and became a disciple of Jesus Christ while attending the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Paramount, CA. He and his wife, Kim (married in 1995), were discipled and deployed into ministry at Emmanuel where Chris received his call into pastoral ministry. Chris graduated with his Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2009 and was ordained as a Minister of the Word that same year in the Reformed Church of America. Chris and Kim have two incredible kids, Karissa (age 6), and Joseph (age 3). Kim is not just a great mom, but is also an HR Director for Boeing. Chris loves spending time with his family, exercising, and playing and watching all kinds of sports. Chris is also passionate about worshipping in a multicultural church while leading others in the areas of discipleship and evangelism.

John Elifson

Pastor John has been a trusted friend and adviser to Pastor Hamstra for many years. In addition to that special role, he serves Living Hope in the area of preaching, prayer, pastoral care, and discipleship. Raised in Chicago, he is the son of a preacher and a graduate of Steimnetz High School. He played football for the Cornhuskers in Nebraska before transferring to and graduating from Drake University. He received a master's degree in education from California Lutheran University.

After eight years as a high school teacher and football coach in California, Pastor John accepted the call to serve the Berean Bible Church in Seattle, WA, where he worked for five years. He returned home to the Chicago area where he served Hill Top Church (Crestwood, IL) for fourteen years. He then followed God's call to plant the Bible Fellowship Church (Oak Forest, IL), which he served for ten years.

Pastor Elifson has been married for over forty years to his wife, Susan, who recently retired from teaching at Calvin Christian School in South Holland, IL. The couple has been blessed with two children: John (Amy) and Tammi (Joel) Vander Weele, and five grandchildren, all of whom live in the area. Pastor Elifson, who is semi-retired, serves Christ as a preacher and teacher. Known for his passion for God and His glory, Pastor Elifson breaks open the Scriptures with enthusiasm and conviction.

Ann Payne

Ann Payne serves as the Administrative Assistant for Living Hope Church. In this role, she serves as an assistant the pastors, as the church secretary, web-site manager, and over all go-to person for information on the life and ministry of the congregation. Ann comes well-prepared for this position with over ten years experience with two different congregations. She works out of her home in Orland Park, IL, and may be contacted by email at .

Ann was born in New Mexico and raised in Utah. She attended Trinity Western College (British Columbia), where she met her future husband, Bob. The two have been married since 1979 and have two adult children: Joanna (Todd) Bergmann, and Jeff. The Paynes came to the southwest suburbs of Chicago in 1996 when Bob accepted a position with the Southwest Chicago Christian School Association.