Vicar Damon Hopkins
Candid and thoughtful, Damon Hoipkins appreciates the deep sense of belonging in rural community churches. Having spent time in Washington, D.C., and Omaha, he chose small town living because he values working in communities and making tangible differences in people’s lives.
Damon is the oldest of eight and grew up in a blended family. He Started working at 12 years old — mowing lawns and shoveling snow. At the same time, he began to take piano lessons. He continues to enjoy Music but by the time he was 14, his grandpa gave him a job at the Ace Hardware in their Illinois Town. Reminded that new employees don’t get to choose their chores, (Damon smiles as he remembers) his grandpa gave him the assignment of sorting screws.
With relatives in Dunlap, Damon arrives as a freshman, completing three years of high school at Boyer Valley. Though his family members were not involved with any church, Damon embraced Catholicism and began serving St. Patrick’s as musician and 2nd grade, first communion teacher. He moved back to Illinois to be with his father and to finish his senior year in Illinois. Right after high school, Damon’s faith journey took him to Washington, D.C. where he began his education to become a priest. Honest assessment of his own values and his mother’s illness brought him back to Dunlap. Eventually he began filling in at St. John, playing the piano when Jean Dommer had hip surgery. Later he continued as a musician, serving at st. John’s for 10 years. Pastor Carla was a true friend and mentor, helping Damon through a difficult personal time. Her encouragement and that of pastor Chip were factors that led Damon to the ELCA and becoming Vicar Hopkins.