I.C.C.C. Calendar

His trek encompassed many adventures, some exciting and some just frightening. Relationships formed during that time that ultimately proved to be the means through which God made effectual His Electing Grace for Christopher Hoops, who subsequently confessed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. Chris then experienced that Purest and Highest Love, found only in God, that most of his peers had vainly sought in profligate dissipation; he turned his entire quest for enlightenment God-ward.

Throughout his late teens and early twenties, he studied voraciously, absorbing as much wisdom as he could from God’s Word, from volumes of Theology and of Church History, and gleaning whatever he could from various Mentors, Pastors, and Teachers at San Bernardino Bible College. By his mid twenties he was involved heavily in Christian ministry, teaching full time, and attending college.

When he was twenty-seven, he married Gail Melinda Turner, whom he met while teaching a Bible class. They had a daughter, Erin Christine, and two sons, Christopher Rory, and Michael Charles. Eventually the family settled in Camarillo, California, where Chris co-founded American Heritage Christian Church.

In 1989, Chris was diagnosed with a liver disease. Doctors told him that his lifestyle must slow down, and that he must find a quieter place to live out the few years he had remaining. In 1991, Chris left the Congregation he had pastored since 1983, and moved his family to Colville, Washington.

Washington held blessings and many trials for Chris and his family. His health continued to degrade, but eventually a transplant liver was found for him, which subsequently blessed him with fourteen additional years of relative health. Returning health allowed Chris to run a Christian bookstore, return to Pastoral Ministry, and co-found two additional congregations. Enjoying country life, he raised impressive gardens, ran a small farm, taught school, and became an innovative cook. One winter evening in 1995, the Hoops’ daughter Erin aged sixteen, was returning from a Church outing with some friends, and was killed in a tragic automobile accident. A profound grief settled over the Hoops household. It was not until Chris and Gail were able to adopt three young daughters, that a full sense of purpose and mission returned to Chris. He rallied, and devoted himself with renewed passion to the upbringing and education of his young children.

Late in 2001, Chris moved his family back to California and took a teaching job in Santa Cruz. In 2003, his health beginning to decline again, the Hoops relocated once more, this time to Sacramento. By late 2006, trips to the hospital had become routine, and Chris was once again on the Transplant List awaiting another liver. By March of 2008 damage to his kidneys necessitated removal of Chris’ name from the transplant list and his health continued to degrade. The end was imminent.

Many people were able to visit him in those remaining days, and he was happy to share their company. They talked of faith, politics, old classic movies, and, of course, Bob Dylan. Chris had a profound sense that the consequences of past sin had brought him to this place, but he never protested his providence. Sure of his eternal destination in Glory, and anxious to be re-united with loved ones lost, he nevertheless was saddened at the prospect of leaving his loving wife and children behind. Struck with a sense that the Church Militant in the Earth had work remaining that he might yet be able to accomplish, he continued his work until his declining health forbade it. He cried with some friends and laughed with most.

On July 17, at 2:35 P.M. the Rev. Christopher Rory Hoops heard his Savior’s voice call him home. He breathed his last with his loving wife by his side and yielded up his spirit. His earthly pains, cares, and worries have all been rolled up and laid aside like a used garment, and Chris gathered to the bosom of his Lord.

Chris was preceded in death his parents Wilbert and Elizabeth, and by daughter Erin. He is survived by his wife Gail, sons Christopher and Michael, daughters Bridgette, Tia, and Katie, brothers Bill and Jon, and by sisters Averil and Priscilla. Countless friends will mourn who loved him, and not a few who called him “Pastor” will profoundly miss the one who shepherded them most faithfully. All who knew him will honor his memory.

          _____________________________________________________________