STAFF
Rev. Scott Hoppe
Minister
Scott was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Wisconsin and Ohio. As the son of a Baptist pastor, he found his way to Huntington in the early 1970s. He graduated from Marshall University in Huntington and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has pastored churches in Indiana and Pennsylvania and has been pastor at Bates since February of 2015. Scott is married to Jackie, our Music Director, for 50 years. Scott and Jackie have two daughters and three grandchildren. Scott continues to be excited about the ongoing ministry and mission that God has for us here at Bates.
Jackie Hoppe
Director of Music/Organist
Jackie was born and raised here in Huntington. Jackie and Scott met when Scott’s father was pastor of Twentieth Street Baptist Church in Huntington. They married in 1976 and have shared their lives together ever since. Jackie graduated from Marshall University in Huntington and has recently retired from Human Resource management and administration for the State of West Virginia. She is organist and chancel choir director for our church and enjoys doing whatever she can to further and enhance the ministry at Bates.
Jackie Collier
Financial Secretary
Jackie moved to Huntington from NJ as a preteen, became a member of Bates in 1965 and was married at Bates to Preston Collier in 1973. They have one son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. A graduate of Barboursville High School and Marshall University, she accepted the position of Financial Secretary at Bates in November 2011.
LEADERSHIP
Charlie Burcham
Leadership Role / Elder
Born, lived and worked in Huntington WV his entire life. Married 43 years. Worked 45 years for INCO Alloys/Special Metals as a machinist. Has been a member of Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church since 1991. He has worked to maintain the building and the grounds for the church for many years.
Michael Connick
Leadership Role / Elder
Michael was born in San Francisco, but his work took him all over the US and overseas before he finally settled down in West Virginia in 2005. Now retired, he is married to Gloria and has grown children scattered all around the US. He is chair of the Stewardship Committee and responsible for safety and security.
Darlene Varney
Leadership Role / Elder & Treasurer
Was born in Man WV moved to Huntington at age 5. Been married to Stewart Varney for 50 years. One son Chris. One daughter Melinda and 4 grandchildren. Retired from Huntington Federal Savings Bank. Has been a member of Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church for 38 years.
Spencer Conley
Leadership Role / Elder
Born and raised right here in the Huntington area, Spencer’s heart is deeply rooted in our community and its people. When he’s not serving as a civil commercial litigation attorney, you’ll often find him sharing his love for music—whether he’s singing in the choir or playing the piano, saxophone, or clarinet during services. (And as a lawyer, he’s always armed with plenty of lawyer jokes, purely in self-defense, of course!) Above all, Spencer is passionate about making sure everyone feels welcome. He hopes that anyone looking for a place to belong finds a warm, supportive family right here with us at Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Mindy Varney
Leadership Role / Elder
Mindy was born and raised in Huntington, WV. She has attended Bates since she was 5 years old. Mindy earned her B.S. in Biology at West Liberty University and her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Marshall University. After completing her postdoctoral fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and her first faculty appointment at West Virginia University, she made her way back to the area. She is currently an Associate Professor at Marshall University School of Pharmacy. She is married to Shawn Washington and is stepmother to a 17 year old daughter Emma. Their family also includes a sweet and playful puppy, Bella.