Pastor Brad Hoefs is the senior pastor of Community of Grace church in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Pastor Brad graduated from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1979. He also graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, with a Masters of Divinity in 1985.

Rev. Hoefs was diagnosed in 1995 as suffering from Bipolar Disorder as a result of experiencing the very painful side of undiagnosed manic behavior. In return, he and his family experienced the pain and hurt that churches and Christians can cause because of a lack of understanding and unwillingness to understand. It is out of this experience that Pastor Brad and Community of Grace have started Fresh Hope, which is a network of Christ-centered support groups for those who suffer from mood disorders as well as their loved ones. Pastor Hoefs is also the author of the book, Fresh Hope: Living Well in Spite of a Mental Health Diagnosis.