Hope Church Memphis — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Rev. Rufus Smith IV (Senior Pastor)

Founded Established Memphis-area megachurch (exact year unknown)

Denomination Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC)

Service Times Saturday 5:30 PM; Sunday 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 5:30 PM (The Stirring)

Men's Ministry Yes

Kids Ministry Yes

Website www.hopepres.com

Pastor Credentials Joined Hope in 2010; Senior Pastor since October 2013; supported by Dr. Eli Morris (Senior Associate Pastor), Rev. Chad Johnson (Assistant Pastor & Community Engagement), Rev. Vincent Joplin (Assistant Pastor & Family Ministry Director)

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

EPC Westminster Confession — Trinitarian orthodoxy.

Strong

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

EPC biblical authority affirmed.

Strong

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

Dedicated /mens-ministry navigation link confirmed on site.

Strong

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

Westminster Reformed salvation by grace.

Strong

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

EPC varies by presbytery; verify Mid-America Presbytery stance.

Caution

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Male senior pastor Rev. Rufus Smith IV with male associate and assistant pastors; verify elder board.

Caution

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

Active preaching/teaching ministry with four services weekly.

Strong

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

Active community engagement ministry; Hope 4 Kids; Family Ministry; broad mission footprint.

Strong

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

Site emphasizes engagement with 'unchurched neighbors of every age and ethnicity' — orthodox Great Commission framing; no DEI/CRT or LGBTQ-affirming language detected. A /sexuality recovery/support group link exists (orthodox care framing).

Strong

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

Evangelical Presbyterian Church — Mid-America Presbytery.

Strong

Assessment

Hope Church (formally Hope Presbyterian Church) in Cordova, Tennessee (Memphis metro) is a large EPC megachurch under the leadership of Rev. Rufus Smith IV, who joined in 2010 and became Senior Pastor in October 2013. Under his leadership, the congregation transitioned from predominantly Caucasian to genuinely multiethnic — a notable Great Commission achievement. The pastoral team is all-male (Rev. Smith, Dr. Eli Morris, Rev. Chad Johnson, Rev. Vincent Joplin), with four weekly services (Saturday 5:30 PM plus three Sunday services including 'The Stirring' at 5:30 PM). Hope 4 Kids for infants through 5th grade plus active Family Ministry. As with all EPC churches, the Mid-America Presbytery and local elder stance on women as elders should be verified. Strong green-eligible orthodox Reformed option in the Memphis metro.