Staff and Leadership

Matt came from San Antonio to Austin to study mathematics at the University of Texas. Matt taught high school math for AISD until he became a full-time pastor at Hope Chapel in 2010. He earned a Masters in Biblical Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary. His interests are Biblical languages and sparring at Lions Krav Maga. He and his wife Mandy have five kids and are an active foster family.

Wes was born in 1994 and raised in Austin. He grew up in a small Bible church in South Austin until he and his wife, Bethany, moved to Hope Chapel in 2018. Wes started working with the middle schoolers in 2019. He enjoys his time playing any and all sorts of games and coming up with new adventures for the middle schoolers to participate in.

Andy was born and raised in Austin, Texas and has been connected to Hope Chapel worship since Debbie Dorman encouraged him to play at church in Junior High.

Andy says that the worship that goes out from Hope Chapel is precious to the Lord and an honor to help facilitate!

Andy and his wife Sarah operate a lawn and landscape service in South Austin where they raise their five kids and 12 chickens.

• Hala El-Swaify Tompkins was born to an Egyptian dad and an American mom in Honolulu, Hawaii where she grew up on the most beautiful beaches in the world. She became a Christian when she was 13 and has never looked back. She and her husband Glenn have four wonderful sons, three amazing daughters-in-law, seven beautiful granddaughters and two busy grandsons who are the joy of their lives. Hala graduated from UT Austin and has lived all over the world. She enjoys teaching children and coaching parents at Hope Chapel to raise their children to know and love the Lord Jesus.

Cecilia Proeger has 3 beautiful kids and 1 amazing husband. They have been on an adventure with Jesus since their wedding day in 2002, which has taken them to live in California for one brief year, and Cape Town, South Africa for 3.5 years. Now back in Texas, God is using Cecilia to encourage others to go to the ends of the earth!

Mandy joined Hope Chapel in 2005 where in a college Bible study she met Matt Ryniker & the rest is history! She works part time as a Labor & Delivery Nurse and is a full time mom to her five kids. Matt & Mandy have been licensed foster parents since 2019. One of Mandy’s greatest desires is to see Christ glorified through families.

As Foster Adoptive Ministry Coordinator, Mandy is committed to encouraging and equipping Christ’s church to care for the orphan & for vulnerable families in our community.

Joelene is married to Michael and they have two beautiful kids. An Austin-native, she grew up at Hope Chapel and is honored to jump into the role of Women’s Director. Joelene’s first love and ministry is to Jesus through prayer and worship. She loves to see God speak to His children. Joelene is excited to walk alongside the Women of Hope and wants to see all women love God with their whole hearts. Joelene has an awesome team of women who partner with her: Missy Huigbregtse, Aubrey Johnson, and Renee Sink. Reach out anytime.

Gustavo was born in Mexico City and then moved to Miami, where he met the Lord at Iglesia de la Biblia Abierta. He then spent 6 years in Houston before moving to Austin to attend UT. After graduating, he joined Samsung Austin Semiconductor as an electrical engineer, where he currently works. In Austin, he met his beautiful wife Lisette. They have two awesome kids. The Espinosa family has been attending Hope Chapel since 2013.

Cosmo is a Serial Inventor and Entrepreneur who founded Spirit Gear LLC in 1996 and Hyper Wear Inc. in 2006. Cosmo has worked in various youth ministry roles in multiple churches over the years, but college students are close to his heart, as it was while in college that he encountered the Lord in new and amazing ways with the help of great leadership.  Cosmo hopes that the Lord will imbue him with the same abilities to challenge and encourage a new generation of Jesus-lovers.

Leigh graduated from Texas State University and has been at Hope Chapel since 2002. She is married to Felipe and they have three beautiful kiddos. Leigh is passionate about seeing people grow into deeply devoted followers of Jesus. Leigh and co-director Sarah Combs are committed to supporting small group leaders, mentors and families at Hope Chapel and they love having coffee with newcomers. They both love to see others empowered and developed into living out their giftings and callings from God. Leigh & Sarah also lead Hope 101, a dinner for newcomers. Reach out anytime.