Dwight O. Peace, Pastor

The Reverend Dwight O. Peace was born in Durham, North Carolina. He is a retired veteran of the United States Air Force. Following his retirement from the USAF, he enrolled into San Francisco Theological Seminary in Claremont, CA, where he earned his Masters of Divinity degree.

He has served in several capacities in the PCUSA to include Delegate to the General Assembly, Member of the New Church Development Committee, San Gabriel Presbytery, CA; and Board Member of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus – Southern California. Prior to relocating to Maryland, Dwight was pastor of South Hills Presbyterian Church in Pomona, CA. His service to the community included: Co-founder and chair of the Inland Valley Faith Consortium; Founding coordinator of Walking In Life and Love (WILL) Power; Member of the Pomona Unified School District Community Engagement Committee, and youth basketball coach.

Dwight currently serves as co-moderator of the Black Presbyterians United, a caucus of the National Capital Presbytery (PCUSA). He is also a member of the Olney Interfaith Clergy Group.  Dwight’s passion is community engagement and building partnerships to enrich the lives of all people. He is excited about being at New Hope as the church continues its mission outreach in Olney, Derwood and beyond.

Dwight is married to the former Cecille Walks and they have two adult sons.

Tsvetanka Dabova, Director of Music Ministry

Ms. Dabova is a Russian-born American teacher and pianist.  She first started learning music and playing piano at the age of 5, in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia.  That is where she first developed the appreciation and love for music.  That appreciation and love brought her to the United Stated in 1999.  Tsveta finished Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI, with honors. 

She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Piano Performance from Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD.  Tsveta is a recipient of multiple scholarships, including Interlochen Arts Academy and Peabody Conservatory full educational scholarships, Levine & Hoffman LLP scholarship, and Helen J. Iliff Scholarship.  Tsveta has also appeared live on IPR radio, and has been featured in numerous recitals throughout Europe, Russia, and the United States.  Her teachers include Alexander Khazanov, Stephen Perry, Yong Hi Moon, Alexander Shtarkman, and Benjamin Pasternack.

Tsveta has been working in service of Music Ministry for over 15 years now. Some of her previous commitments include Holy Nativity Church in Baltimore City and St. Barnabas Episcopalian Church in Sykesville, Maryland.  Tsveta is passionate about bringing meaningful and beautiful music to the worship services on a regular basis, and she feels blessed to be serving at New Hope.

Joni Miller, Office Administrator

Joni joined the NHPC staff in 2014 as our office administrator. She gathers information and creates the bulletin for each Sundays’ worship service as well as special worship services. Joni also prepares the PowerPoint slides that are used during both our in-person and virtual worship services. 

Joni has been married to her wonderful husband for more than 30 years and they have 2 adult children and a son in high school. Joni enjoys teaching children and youth classes at her church, participating in church community activities, making greeting cards, and looking for any opportunity to be outside.