Pastor Grant Thigpen, Founding & Senior Pastor
Grant Thigpen is the founder and senior pastor of New Hope Ministries in Naples, Florida.
Pastor Grant graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1980. He focuses on development of the Christian in practical application of living by faith. His ministry has touched the lives of many through his many teachings that are sent around the world.
Pastor Grant also founded the New Hope School of Ministries (NHSM) in 1990. Through this avenue of teaching, many pastors, teachers, and ministries have emerged. His desire is to see the body of Christ develop into its full potential so that the world will see the glory of God manifested through a victorious church.
Pastor Grant is an Executive Regional Leader in ARMI. He is married to Susan and they have one son, Stephen.
Pastor Jesse Barrett, Pastoral Care Pastor
Pastor Jesse Barrett has been part of New Hope Ministries since he was three weeks old, apart from a few years spent in Oklahoma and Colorado during his teens. As the son of Greg and Tica Barrett, who served as worship pastors at New Hope from 1992 to 2006, he grew up in ministry and recognized God’s call on his life at an early age.
Pastor Jesse is a graduate of both the New Hope School of Ministries and Charis Bible College. He now serves as an instructor at New Hope School of Ministries and as the ARMI Regional Leader for South Florida.
He is married to his wife, Abbigail, and together they have a daughter, Kaylee.
In addition to his ministry roles, Pastor Jesse serves on the School Advisory Committee for East Naples Middle School and on the boards of Beverly’s Angels, Leave the 99 Ministries International, and Crossfire Ministries International.
Pastor Cory Watson, Youth & Young Adults Pastor
Cory Watson has served as the Youth and Young Adults Pastor at New Hope Ministries since July 2025. His passion is to see students encounter God, build authentic faith, discover their identity in Christ, and develop a strong spiritual foundation that lasts a lifetime.
As a pastor’s kid, Cory was raised in ministry and has served in nearly every area of church life, including kids, youth, worship, and men’s ministry. A graduate of Charis Bible College, he is passionate about helping young people understand God’s grace and experience a genuine, life changing relationship with Jesus.
Cory and his wife, Ashley, have two daughters, Naomi and Emma. Outside of ministry, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, playing guitar, and taking his girls to the beach. His life and ministry are driven by John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”
Renee Moore, Children's Ministry Director
Renee Moore has been a member of New Hope Ministries for over 30 years. She has over 26 years of experience in Christian Education and loves all things having to do with children. She has a range of certifications and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Manchester University. Her passion is to partner with parents and lead children and their families to the LORD. Renee loves the Lord and our church and wants to deliver on Pastor’s vision for the ministry. She feels the LORD has been preparing her for this position her whole life.
Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Sara Sapienza, Adult Education & Volunteer Director
Sara Sapienza has served in ministry for more than 39 years, with a calling centered on teaching, preaching, evangelism, healing, and missions, including two mission trips to Zambia, Africa.
Since 2015, Sara has served full time at New Hope Ministries as Director of Adult Education and Volunteers. She is also an instructor at the New Hope School of Ministries, where she is passionate about equipping believers for ministry.
Prior to full time ministry, Sara spent 35 years in healthcare, serving in mental health, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and elder care throughout northern New Jersey.
Sara has a deep passion to see people walk in wholeness, spirit, soul, and body. She has become a spiritual mother to many and continues to invest in the lives of others through teaching, mentoring, and discipleship. Most recently, she graduated from the One Voice Mentoring Institute and serves with Cheryl Grayson Ministries as an instructor, student advisor, and secretary.
Sara and her husband, Nicholas, live in Naples, Florida. Together they have six children, seven grandchildren, and two beloved dogs, Bella and Theo. Her life and ministry are anchored in Matthew 18:12–14 and John 3:16.