A new face has come to Niles.

Hope Community Church recently welcomed Marc Danapilis to its staff as Director of Student Ministries. Administrative Pastor Brad Heiple officially introduced Danapilis to the congregation with prayer and commissioning during Hope’s weekend worship services at the end of September.

“I am so excited to work at Hope. It is a great place to get spiritually fed,” Danapilis said. “The youth are our future, and I am so happy with how Hope is investing in them and in the community of Niles.”

As the new Director of Student Ministries, he is committed to continuing that investment in the lives of teens.

“It’s an honor to work with youth. Not only are we going to have fun while learning about God but I will get to see teens grow and mature every week.”

Danapilis comes to Hope with a wealth of experience, including working as a therapist in a corrections facility, coaching baseball, and serving the First Church of God in St. Joseph as the Stevensville Campus Intern Pastor.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in corrections from Siena Heights University and a master’s degree in theological studies with a major in theology from Liberty University Seminary School.

A native of Saint Joseph, Marc and his wife Nicki have been married for 11 years and have four children: Madison, Ryley, Abigail and Brooklynn.

Hope Community Church is located at 2390 Lake St. in Niles. Their student ministry holds weekly services for teens on Thursday nights from 6 to 7:30 p.m., along with special events throughout the year, for students in grades 6 through 12. For more information, visit hopeofniles.com