MEET PASTOR HOLLY 

Holly (Moorman) Oden was born and raised in Mystic, Iowa among 10 other brothers and sisters. After a series of life altering events, Pastor Jim & Joan Altmaier, original ministers of Mystic Church, led her to receive Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. She caught God’s vision and has been running with it ever since.

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​Holly’s first experience in ministry was helping with the Mystic Youth Group, Kid’s Place, 20 yrs. ago. Life took a turn when she found herself at New Hope Counseling after the tragic death of her sons' father. There she found deep healing in Christ from main root problems. Change is very difficult, has multiple ups and downs, and requires motivation and commitment, but living a life of hope she believes is worth the price. Holly has made it her life's ambition to empower others by sharing God’s hope as much as she can, wherever she can, whenever she can, as long as she can.

 

Her over-the-top dedication is teaching, leading, pastoring at the Mystic Community Church which she has now been doing for 17 years. Holly was chosen as one of Iowa’s top 4 “Remarkable Women” in 2020 and had her story featured on WHO Channel 13. She completed a Uganda, Africa Missions trip in 2015 for "Women of Hope" in Kasaroza, and served to fund that ministry for several years. Holly's latest endeavor is advocating for her platform "Women of Hope" in support of women overcoming life-challenging circumstances. Through this platform Holly is actively promoting the new Circle of Freedom Women's Residential Home in Seymour Iowa.

 

​One of Holly's greatest aspirations in life is raising up other Hope Dealers for the Kingdom of God. She completed and published an adult “Hope” coloring book with the help of inmates and prisoners which one may purchase online at Amazon.com. She personally built a thrift store ministry, The Hope Chest Thrift Store, with a driving unction, a hammer, and a prayer.

 

From this hope dealing store, proceeds go to provide free counseling, free medical loan closet, children’s free outreaches, and many other services through New Hope Counseling Center & Ministry (newhopeministrycc.org). She has passionately served as the Thrift Store Ministries Director since 2016. She has actively served New Hope in many talented ways, one passion and gifted area is graphic designs, for 18 years.​

 

In the community, she volunteers and leads many charitable efforts and fundraisers in support of raising others up which includes the "Back To School Bash" providing free school clothing and supplies for kids; “Coats for Kids” (free coat give-away); as well as the "Children’s Free Christmas Shopping Extravaganza" every December. She also helps to provide for local housefire victims, and many single working mothers through HAPI (Hope Assistance Program Initiative) extended outreach.​

 

Holly and her husband, Shawn (20 yrs.), live on a farm and have 5 boys; Caleb, Tye, Logan, Tiger, and Whitton. Having grown up with strong, self-motivated, entrepreneur parents (and 10 brothers and sisters), she lives by the motto “I have not failed, I have found 10,000 ways that do not work” –and only ONE that does.​