Our Team:

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Max Critchfield

LEAD PASTOR

I (Max) am a “child of the Bay” - my great-grandparents on my mother’s side moved here to the East Bay in 1929 to grow strawberries. I was born in Oakland, and moved to Fremont in the early 90s. My wife Monica moved to Hayward with her family from Peru when she was just a few years old. We’re honored and blessed to be have roots that run deep here in the special place - we’ve lived our lives here, started our family here, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to plant Living Hope Church. We would love to meet you!

advisory board

Black and white circular logo with the text 'Luming Hope Church of the East Bay' around the perimeter and 'of the' in the center.

As a young church plant, these seasoned pastors and church leaders provide oversight, accountability, and support  for the church’s leadership while the Lord raises up eldership from within the church. These incredible friends have decades of ministry and church planting experience right here in the Bay!

Portrait of a man with glasses and dark hair, wearing a black t-shirt, smiling slightly against a plain light background.

Jay Kim

BOARD MEMBER

Lead Pastor at Westgate Church, San Jose, CA

A middle-aged man with glasses smiling outdoors in front of a tree and flowers.

Andrew Hoffman

BOARD MEMBER

Bay Area Church Planting Network

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Kelly Patchin

BOARD MEMBER

Pastor at New Harbor Community Church, Benicia, CA

Our Partners

  • A black background with the word 'Stratum' in large, dark blue letters.

    Stratum Foundation

    PARTNER

    A Bay Area foundation that focuses on creating innovative solutions for gospel-grounded leaders and institutions in the Bay Area.

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  • Logo with a large stylized letter 'L' and the words 'Converge PACWEST' beneath it.

    Converge PacWest

    PARTNER

    Converge PacWest is an organization that connects leaders to a diverse family of churches with the relationships and resources they need to fulfill their unique calling.

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  • Logo for Bay-Area Church Planting Network featuring a circular graphic with dots and the text 'Bay-Area Church Planting Network' in a stylized font.

    Bay Area Church Planting Network

    PARTNER

    BACPN exists to help plant churches and expand gospel presence in the Bay Area.

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  • Logo of Westgate Church with a circular emblem containing triangles and the text 'Westgate Church' below.

    WestGate Church

    PARTNER

    A church in the Bay Area, committed to learning and living the way of Jesus.

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