The following article appeared in the Herald-Standard newspaper. Jackie's husband Scott is the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fairchance. Her father-in-law Neil Hoppe was the former pastor of the Great Bethel Baptist Church in Uniontown.
Jackie Hoppe Using Her Work to Help the Needy
Fairchance artist Jackie Hoppe is using her work to help those in need. "I feel strongly that it's important for us to support missions," said Hoppe, the wife of the Rev. Scott Hoppe, pastor of First Baptist Church in Fairchance. "Matthew told us to go into the world and preach the Gospel. Not all of us can go into the world but we can support work that is already being done."
Hoppe is donating a portion of the sale of her paintings to the American Baptist Women's mission project called "Break the Chain." It is designed to end sexual exploitation of women and children.
According to the website for American Baptist Women's Ministries, "Approximately 800,000 to 900,000 victims annually are trafficked across international borders worldwide. Between 18,000 and 20,000 of those victims are women and girls."
The website reported the organization hopes to raise $250,000 from 2007 to 2009. The money will be directed to ministries that address the sexual exploitation of women and children: 50% for ministries in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and 50% for ministries that are international.
The site also contains reports of work being done, including ministering to women in Costa Rica, Thailand, the Czech Republic, Italy, Zambia and Los Angeles, CA.
Hoppe talked about the work of Dr. Lauran Bethel, who established a ministry in Thailand before moving on to work in the Czech Republic.
"She has been a catalyst in addressing these issues" said Hoppe. "...She's made strides in addressing the needs of those people who are so disadvantaged. Now she's moved on to one of the Scandinavian countries to work."
Hoppe is a native of Huntington, WV, where she met her husband, who grew up in a ministry family. His father is the Rev. Dr. Neil Hoppe, who is a former pastor of Great Bethel Baptist Church in Uniontown. Jackie and Scott Hoppe married and had two daughters in Huntington: Meredith, 26, who lives in Orlando, FL, is finishing a master's degree in theater, with a specialty in avant garde theater and puppetry and working with Jim Henson's daughter, Heather. MacKenzie, 23, lives in Martinsburg, WV, and is soon to relocate to Uniontown. She is a specialty representative for pharmaceutical sales.
Jackie and Scott Hoppe moved to Fairchance in January 2007. Jackie Hoppe has a degree from Marshall University in speech pathology and spent 18 years in resources management. She also is an organist and choir director for First Baptist in Fairchance and Great Bethel.
Hoppe became involved in painting in 2006 when she had bi-lateral foot surgery and bone reconstruction on both feet and was looking for something to do while she had to stay off her feet.
"I had painted as a child and loved it," she said. "I decided to get watercolors and experiment. I started painting and using it as a ministry, giving the paintings as gifts to people to cheer them. My youngest daughter is the greatest marketer in the world, and she said you need to make these available. I framed some and brought them to Edna and Jim Heilman at Colorama. They've graciously displayed and made my paintings available.
The beautiful paintings can be found on the first floor of Colorama, a religious store on Johnson Avenue in Uniontown. The paintings feature nature as well as Scripture verses.
"My thoughts are that I wouldn't have anything to paint unless God created it," Hoppe explained.
The paintings contain such verses as "The earth is full of your well-made creations" from Psalms and "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" from Joshua.
Hoppe has also created some smaller motivational pictures and caricatures that feature animals. For example, a bird on a limb with the verse "Rejoice, be glad and sing" from Psalms. They are on display at the Gentile Law Office building, 45 E. Main St., in Uniontown.
A portion from the sales of the work will be going to "Break the Chain," the American Baptist Women's Ministries mission project. Hoppe noted the Pennsylvania and Delaware region of the organization has a goal of raising $15,000 for "Break the Chain."
Hoppe also noted that First Baptist is hoping to start a ministry to local children next year to provide support in a variety of ways that include tutoring.
"If we can help them at a young age to be literate, get a good meal and feel protected, there's a greater chance of them finishing high school and making an academic and spiritual contribution to society," she said.
Hoppe said the church is not sure what form this will take but they have been working on the project for a year. Part of the sale of Hoppe's artwork will also support this ministry.
"I'm blessed every time I pick up a paint brush," said Hoppe. "And if someone gets a gift, that's another blessing."
For more information on Jackie's work, call Colorama at 724-437-5420. For more information on Break the Chain, visit online at www.abwministries.org.
First Baptist Church of Fairchance
Rev. Scott Hoppe, Pastor
17 N Morgantown, Street; Fairchance, PA 15436
Telephone: 724-564-2080
American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware
106 Revere Lane, Coatesville, PA 19320