Countryside Community Church has faithfully served Contoocook, Hopkinton, and the surrounding communities since 1823. As a non-denominational church, we welcome individuals from all backgrounds seeking to gain an understanding of God.
Our Mission
CCC’s mission is to glorify God as we make disciples of Jesus Christ through our:
Heart-felt honor of Jesus (Worship)
Genuine love for one another (Community)
Commitment to biblical Truth (Maturity)
Demonstrating Christ-like care to all (Service)
Proclamation of the gospel (Mission)
Our Leadership
Pastor - Brian Johnsen
Pastor Brian Johnsen was born into a faithful Christian home with 5 kids just outside of Princeton, NJ. He grew up in sub-Saharan West Africa while his parents were medical missionaries among some of the world’s poorest people. He earned his undergraduate degree in Forest Management at the University of Maine, Orono, where he met his wife Kristen at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Besides growing up in Africa, Brian has also served on missions teams to Haiti, Honduras, New York City, and Philadelphia.
After college, Brian began involvement with church ministry with Weare Christian Church working with the youth group, which he helped to lead for 5 years. During that time, he felt God pushing him towards seminary to be better trained to help others in their walk with God. With the support of the church leaders, the congregation, and family, Brian and Kristen moved their family to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary where Brian earned his M.Div. degree in May 2011. Weare Christian Church called Brian to be Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Family Ministries in July 2011. In the summer of 2013, Countryside Community Church asked Weare Christian Church to release Brian from ministry in order to serve as part-time interim pastor following the resignation of their long-standing pastor of 13 years. Countryside Church called Brian as permanent pastor in February 2014. As a bi-vocational pastor, Brian has been working as a private consulting forester with individuals and towns in NH and MA since 2001.
Brian and Kristen currently have 6 daughters, 4 of whom were adopted through the NH foster care system, 2 with special medical needs. The Johnsen family was licensed for foster care through the State of NH in the fall of 2012 and enjoys helping each child God brings into their home. They began homeschooling their first daughter in kindergarten to allow for more “Mommy time” at home for the girls and have stuck with it ever since. The family enjoys swimming, hiking, and biking in the summer and snowboarding and snowshoeing in the winter. Throughout the year the family also enjoys reading, playing board games, and watching the girls’ ballet dancing.
Elder - Roger Langlois
Roger was born and raised in Connecticut to a Roman Catholic family and attended Catholic school through the 8th grade, after which he attended public high school and then the University of Connecticut. After school Roger worked in various jobs until the military draft came calling, at which point he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After 4 years in the military, including one year in Vietnam, he worked at various jobs until becoming a licensed home improvement contractor, eventually retiring in 2014.
Roger’s faith walk began with Roman Catholicism, including parochial school instruction, service as an altar boy, and immersion in Roman Catholic doctrine with little understanding of the gospel but a good foundation in moral behavior and a belief in a Creator God.
By the time Roger was discharged from the military, he had drifted away from all church attendance and could best be described as “spiritual driftwood.” He believed in God but wasn’t sure how that related to his life. He met his wife, Noella, in 1990, and she invited him to her church in Cheshire, CT, where he heard the gospel preached directly for the first time: that is, salvation by grace through faith in atonement through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Roger immediately immersed himself in Bible study and instruction, eventually being baptized, becoming a member, and serving as an elder for 3 years.
After retirement, Roger and Noella moved to the beautiful state of New Hampshire and are now living in Hillsborough. They have attended Countryside Community Church full time since moving here, having attended this church on visits to family for several years before. They have also been volunteers at His Mansion Ministries in Deering, a Christ-centered care center for young people battling addictions and other issues.
Elder - Steve Wikman
Steve was born and raised in a Christian home in Massachusetts where the Word of God and the gospel message provided purpose and meaning to life. He trusted Christ as his personal Savior at a young age and was baptized as a senior in high school. Soon after Steve realized the importance of yielding his life to Christ. As Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
God had a plan and purpose for Steve’s life! While under the strong teaching of his local church and through the encouragement of godly men, Steve matured in his faith and committed to serving in ministries. Over the years, Steve was a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school administrator, trustee/deacon, member of the finance committee, church and Christian school treasurer, and elder. He also served in music ministries at the church.
In 1979 Steve married his wife Karen in the church they had both grown up in. They raised 5 children and now have 17 grandchildren.
Steve attended public school and later Lowell Technological Institute. He began his career as an engraver and eventually ended up working for Karen’s dad at his foundry for the next 30 years. Before retiring, he did some office work for a plumbing and heating company and then an oil company.
Steve moved to Hopkinton with his wife Karen in 2018, and they have been attending Countryside Community Church since April of 2018. Steve is currently involved in the men’s breakfast ministry.
Recently, he has renovated and converted a barn space into a living space. Taking care of the lawn, splitting firewood, and just being outdoors are some of his favorite activities.
Elder - Ken Lundquist
Ken was born and raised in a Christian home in a small town outside of Boston. Ken and his family attended a local church where the Word of God was faithfully taught. As a teenager Ken recognized his sinful condition before a Holy God and made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. John 14:6 says; “Jesus said unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Ken grew up on a small farm where he learned the value of hard work and gained an appreciation for God’s creation. He attended public school and later received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Engineering from Northeastern University. Ken has worked for several Technology companies over the course of his career.
Ken and his wife Kim, were married in 1983 and raised 3 children. After moving to New Hampshire in 1998, Ken and Kim were involved in a new church plant in Kingston, NH. He taught a HS Sunday School class, served as a deacon, and later on the building committee. Additionally, Ken has had opportunities over the years to be involved in a variety of youth ministries, music programs, and has hosted small group Bible Studies.
Ken and Kim began attending Countryside Community Church in the spring of 2018 and have enjoyed the practical teaching of God’s Word and fellowship of the local assembly. Ken currently serves on the audio/visual team which provides livestream presentations and recordings.
Ken and Kim enjoy a wide variety of sports and outdoor activities. They also enjoy frequently traveling to watch their 5 grandchildren participating in their activities.
Deacon - John
Since joining Countryside, John has been involved with praise band, developed and led production and technical ministries, and assisted in facilities maintenance. He has also been involved in budgeting and financial planning at Countryside, as well as assisting in computer/technical needs and updating systems as needed. Over the years of serving, John helped launch Harvest Festival as an alternative to Halloween where he could use his creative skills to build games for the community.
Currently, John enjoys playing on praise band, running technical ministries, recording music, and taking time with family.
Deacon - Jen
searching for a long time and feeling alone through the trials of life, Jennifer met Jesus. After
experiencing the belonging and acceptance that can only come from Jesus, she gave her life to Him.
Jennifer has always had a love for music and, after getting plugged into a church, quickly got involved in the worship team. Throughout serving in many different capacities and church settings, Jennifer has always had a heart towards children’s ministry, missions, and worship team.
Jen, John, and their 3 kids started attending Countryside in 2003. Since attending, Jennifer
jumped into teaching children’s Sunday School, leading children’s church, spearheading different
initiatives like Harvest Festival, and working with Operation Christmas Child. She will always have a passion for singing and playing keyboard with the praise team.
A verse that has been a constant for Jen since she met Jesus is from Psalm 139:16: “Your eyes
saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Deacon - Linda
At the church, Linda assists with office and banking work, organizes the library, and participates in the women’s ministry and a weekly Bible study. In her deacon role, Linda serves by coordinating cleaning services and keeping meeting notes.
She welcomes any questions or concerns you may like to approach her about.
Deacon - Russ
As a Deacon, Russ focuses on facility upkeep/maintenance, as well as overseeing the church’s financial transactions. He participates regularly in the men’s ministry and Bible studies at Countryside. Russ enjoys wood carpentry, log splitting, and relaxing by watching sports with family.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.