Our Story

Real Hope was planted in 2000 by Glenn Herschberger.  For 15 years we met in the Lake Mills High School auditorium until we built our current location in 2015. After 15 years, we have continued to grow into a church that is committed to loving God, loving people, and serving the world around us. Disciples are truly being made here in Lake Mills and it is our prayer that we will continue to reach out into Lake Mills and surrounding communities with a message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us and become a part of HIStory. 


Staff & Leadership

We have a passion for people, our community, and our world. We love to do what Ephesians 4:12 tells us, "equip the saints for the work of ministry". True ministry is not solely our job, but yours. Contact anyone listed below to find out how you are equipped by God to serve others. 

  • Craig Legel

    Lead pastor

    Craig has been pastoring at Real Hope since 2005. After serving as our youth and worship pastor for 5 years he took over as lead pastor in 2010. Craig is married to Kari and together they have 4 kiddos. Craig has a love for the local church and helping to make true disciple-makers that love God passionately and desire to serve others and share with them the hope of the Gospel.


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  • Ken Casey

    Pastor of member Care

    Ken came on staff in 2023 as our Associate Pastor of Member Care. He previously served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Iowa and has been a pastor at two churches in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Ken is married to Delaine and they have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. Ken has a passion to serve Christ and His Church and desires that all would come to know Jesus as their greatest joy and treasure. 

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  • Derek Van Ruler

    Pastor of Discipleship & Missions

    Derek joined our staff team in 2024 as the Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Missions. Before joining the staff, he served with Cru for five years in Germany and UW-Stout, and then he served as a church planter and pastor in Pennsylvania for ten years, where he trained leaders for ministry. Derek is married to Alecia, and they have two boys. Derek’s passion is to equip and encourage Christians to live daily with gospel intentionality, resulting in new churches planted across our region and the world for their joy and the glory of God.

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  • Douglas Daube

    Church Planter

    Douglas came to Real Hope in 2024 to lead the Johnson Creek church plant. He has been a pastor at churches in Kansas, Illinois, and Minnesota before coming to Wisconsin. He is married to Emily and they have two daughters. Douglas wants to see the Gospel go to places it hasn't reached and see lost people's lives changed by Christ.

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  • Landon flick

    Youth and connections director

    Landon has been on staff since 2019. He began as an intern and then once he graduated college came on full time as our youth and connections director. Landon and his wife Bekah have a one-year-old daughter and are expecting twins in December. Landon's passion is helping youth discover the good news of the Gospel and helping them grow into valuable parts of the body of Christ. He also loves connecting with people to help them discover the gifts God has placed on their lives. 


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  • Bethany Weavers

    Worship & music Director

    Bethany came on staff in 2021 after serving in a volunteer music role for a few years. Bethany and her husband Paul have 3 kiddos. Bethany loves music and is thankful she gets to lead the congregation most weeks in worship through singing. She is passionate about helping us experience true Biblical worship. 


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  • Sherri Elsner

    office Administrator

    Sherri came on staff in 2021 after many years working as an Admin Assistant in the healthcare field. Sherri and her husband Wally have 3 sons, and a daughter-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. Sherri loves to do everything to the best of her abilities for God's glory!

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Real Hope Elders

Along with our two full time staff pastors, we also have three non-staff elders. Together the five of them work as a team to oversee and shepherd our church. If you'd like to email all the elders together CLICK HERE. Otherwise you can email them individually below. 

  • Craig legel

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  • Ken Casey

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  • Steve Schnaidt

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  • Scott Pollard

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  • Paul weavers

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  • Derek Van Ruler

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