Meet Our New Lead Pastor-Elect

DAVID HIBISKE

A LETTER FROM FOUNDING/INTERIM PASTOR, JON DUPIN

Welcome David Hibiske & Family!

We are thrilled to announce that David Hibiske has accepted the call to serve as the next Lead Pastor of Waymaker.Church. While David has deep roots in North Carolina, he and his family are eager to plant their lives here in Virginia and join what God is doing in our community.

Meet the "Hibiske 5"

David and his wife of 18 years, Kendall, are the proud parents of Ella (14), Avery (12), and Andrew (10), and of course, their Golden Retriever, George. David is an outdoorsman at heart who loves hiking, backpacking, and making BBQ for friends and family.

Ministry & Vision

David joins us from Saddleback Church in California, where he served on the Executive Leadership Team. Prior to that, he was a founding leader at Echo.Church in Silicon Valley, helping scale the ministry from a single site to a multi-campus movement. With an M.Div. and a background in Business Management, David is a strategic visionary passionate about seeing people encounter Jesus and walk in freedom.

The Road Ahead: A Phased Transition

We believe a healthy transition is a purposeful one. David will be "phasing in" to his leadership over the coming months to ensure a smooth handoff and a strong start for our church.

  • April 23–27 | First Family Visit: Mark your calendars. This will be a special weekend for the whole church to meet the Hibiske family. Stay tuned for "Meet & Greet" event details.

  • May – July | Preparation Phase: David will be on-site periodically for leadership planning and staff development while wrapping up his current duties.

  • August 2026 | Taking the Torch: David will officially begin his full-time tenure and take the torch as our Lead Pastor.

We invite you to join us in prayer for the Hibiske family during this season of relocation and for our church as we enter this exciting new chapter together.

Jon Dupin

Founding/Interim Pastor

A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR DAVID

View the video and links below to learn more about Davd.

David's links

Q&A

In order for Pastor David to finish his responsibilities in his current role and to effectively move from California to Virginia, we have slated the "passing of the torch Sunday" to happen in August of 2026. David and his family will be visiting over the next season, and he will be working and building connections with church staff. More details will come as they are finalized.

No, Pastor Jon and Tammy are not leaving immediately. They will continue to serve in their current roles, leading the staff, guiding the congregation, and working with Pastor David throughout this next season to ensure a healthy, Spirit-led transition.

After much prayer and discernment, Pastor Jon and Tammy Dupin shared that their season of leading Waymaker.Church and their time in Lynchburg is coming to a close. They are now beginning a new endeavor called The Renavelle Group, a family-led organization built on helping couples and families create defining, generational moments — through weddings, marriage coaching, and intentional gatherings that last far beyond the day itself.

The Elder Team, in prayerful partnership with Pastor Jon, trusted leaders, and advisors, oversaw a Spirit-led search and discernment process through the credible church staffing agency, Vanderbloemen. The goal was not to rush, but to clearly recognize the person God was calling to lead Waymaker.Church into its next chapter. Through many interviews and prayer, Pastor David was unanimously voted in by the Elder Team.

We invite every Waymaker to commit to the Three P’s:

Pray – For Pastor David and his family, for unity in our body, and for the next season God is preparing.
Prepare – Ask God how He is forming and positioning you for this new season.
Participate – Be present, engaged, and invested. Step in—not back.

Previous Updates along the Journey


A LETTER FROM PASTOR JON AND TAMMY DUPIN

On August 10, in our Sunday services, Tammy and I shared with you one of the most faith-filled announcements of our lives: after much prayer and discernment, we believe our season of leading Waymaker.Church and our time in Lynchburg is coming to an end. 

For the past year, we have both been seeking the Lord about what’s next. Through that process, we’ve reached a clear but bittersweet conclusion. This church has been our life’s work and joy for nearly 27 years. It’s where we’ve grown in our marriage, our calling, and our family. We’ve seen God move through both victories and valleys, and Waymaker will always be home. 

It was Memorial Day weekend when I sensed God say, “Get ready.” At first, we thought it meant preparing our house, but we soon realized God was asking us to prepare this house, Waymaker.Church, for what’s next. 

A couple of weeks later, we were invited to consider a new opportunity that stirred our hearts. Though that opportunity has since closed, the Holy Spirit made it obvious: it was time to start passing the torch. We knew, even then, that the purpose of that moment wasn’t about a destination. It was about the direction God was leading us. 

This journey has felt less like Moses at the burning bush and more like Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 12, stepping into the unknown with only God’s promise of presence. Although the details of our next assignment are still uncharted, we are confident that God is calling us into a new season. We believe it will involve strengthening families while continuing to serve the broader Church at its heart. 

That said, we are not launching immediately. We will be here for this next season to help lead through the transition. We will continue to serve in our current roles, leading the staff, guiding the congregation, and supporting the Elder Team as we move forward together. 

In the days ahead, the Elder Team and I will share a timeline for the Lead Pastor search process. We want to walk this journey with complete transparency, humility, and faith. You can start visiting the church update page to stay informed and see how you can specifically pray and participate during this transition. 

And we want to invite you into this process, fully. This is a time for us as a church family to draw near to God together. Join us in a season of prayer and fasting as we seek His wisdom, His peace, and His provision for the future. Pray for the Elder Team as they lead. Pray for the future leader of this church. Pray for unity, clarity, and an outpouring of God’s Spirit on all that is to come. 

Here are three ways we believe every Waymaker can walk through this season together: 

  • Pray – Ask God to lead and unify us. Lift up the Elder Team, staff, future leaders, and one another. 
  • Prepare – Ready your heart for what’s ahead. Ask God how He is calling you to grow, serve, and lead in this new season. 
  • Participate – Stay connected. Engage fully on Sundays, in small groups, through serving, and by attending special prayer moments. 

We love you. We believe in the future of this church. And we’re honored to finish this season faithfully, with gratitude and hope. 

 

With love and anticipation, 

Pastor Jon and Tammy Dupin 

PRAYER JOURNEY

Join us as we fast and pray during this transitional season.

A Spirit of Wisdom and Discernment for Our Elders

James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” God we pray for you to pour out a spirit of wisdom and discernment on our elders. God as they lead our church through this pastoral transition, may they lead with clarity, grace, and insight that comes through the Holy Spirit. Help them to navigate these decisions with peace and have confidence in the Spirit’s guidance. Strengthen them to be pillars of truth and love in our church during this season.

Unity Within Our Church Family

Psalm 133:1 — “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” 
God we pray for deep unity within our church family amidst this season of transition. Remove any barriers that divide and replace them with bonds of love, understanding, and mutual respect. May we be willing to sacrifice preferences and personal desires to pursue love. God, continue to grow us to be one in spirit and purpose, reflecting Your heart to the world. Let this season be a testimony of unity, grace, and love.

Trust in God’s Direction

Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” 
God, during this season of pastoral transition we place our trust in you. We acknowledge that Jesus, not a human leader, is the head of the church. Teach us to trust your direction even when the path is unclear. Help us to lean not on our own understanding but to acknowledge you in every step of this process. May your Spirit guide us with peace and assurance, knowing You are faithful to lead us where we need to go. Strengthen our hearts to follow you boldly.

Gratitude for What God has Done, and Celebration of What He is Doing

Psalm 126:3 "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." 
God, we celebrate your faithfulness, provision, and work in this season. Even in a season of transition, we rejoice in the new and deeper ways you are moving among us. Open our eyes to be sensitive to your movement and our hearts to embrace it fully. May we celebrate growth, transformation, and fresh revelation with joy and gratitude. God, we continue to be expectant of the new and deeper in every season of our church.

Dreams and Visions for Our Current and Future Leaders

Joel 2:28 — “Your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” 
God, we pray for divine dreams and visions to be poured out on both Pastor Jon and Tammy and our future pastor. Inspire them with heavenly insight and bold imagination for what you desire for their and our future. May they lead with courage, creativity, and a deep connection to your Spirit. Equip and prepare them to shape a future rooted in your kingdom and guided by your spirit. 

Share Your Thoughts and Gratitude

Over their 27 years as leaders of Waymaker.Church, Pastor Jon and Tammy's faithfulness have made a way for so many to encounter Jesus. Take a moment to tell them your thoughts, stories, and memories over the last 27 years.

SHARE HERE
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