Leadership

I started as Lead Pastor in the summer of 2017 and have been loving every minute of it! I've pastored churches in 3 towns in Michigan that begin with the letter C - Chelsea, Cedar Springs and now Clio. I am an avid outdoorsman. But my passion is leading outreach-focused churches to health and effectiveness. My wife Abby and I, along with our three daughters, live on a hobby farm in Montrose, Michigan.

You will see me anywhere around the Connection Center on Sunday mornings. I enjoy connecting with people! I do this by greeting you in the lobby, treating you to coffee at the Mudhouse, inviting you to Meet and Greet, Circle Up, and Bible Studies, praying with you, but most of all just being real and authentic.
My biggest asset is my wife, Judy, and we love serving together and welcoming you to New Covenant. We are blessed with four children and nine grandchildren. I like any Sports App, but especially ESPN.

New Covenant was my church home for the first 18 years of my life. After graduating from Saginaw Valley State University, I married my wife Melanie, started a family with 4 kids (Hudson, Haley, Riley, and Greyson), and worked in a variety of roles in different ministry contexts across Michigan.  I was thrilled to start ministry here at New Covenant in the fall of 2022, where I now manage various administrative roles as a part of the staff team.
 Personally, I love sports (Go Blue!), hunting, fishing, naps, and cheesecake. 

I have been working with students for over 10 years and absolutely love it. With so many kids suffering from past and current hurts, pressures in school and at home, and coming from broken homes, I have always felt led to be an impact in students lives. I LOVE hanging out with students and hearing their stories, seeing how their week has gone, laughing with them, and even crying with them. Helping students feel comfortable/at home and that they belong is super important to me. I strive to be someone they know they can talk to and will be a cheerleader for them, but also someone who speaks Gods truths to them.
I have been married for 24 years to Theron my high school sweetheart and we have two kids (22 and 17). I love to sing, read books, spend time with my family and all things coffee!!

I have been serving in student ministries for over 7 years and have loved every second of it since I'm secretly a middle schooler at heart! I graduated from  Saginaw Valley State University  in 2022 with  a degree in business management and Finance! My interests included hanging out with my cat , playing board games, chatting with God, and of course spending time with students! Teens' lives are complicated and I’m extremely blessed that I get to show up for them, hear them out, and show them who God intended for them to be! 

I have been a part of New Covenant since I was 16 years old and have worked with kids of all ages for most of my life. My husband Ross introduced me to New Covenant when we were dating as teens and now, we have been married for 23 years and have two amazing boys: one in college and one in high school. Watching a child find Jesus, develop a relationship with Him, and then choose to serve Him as an adult is truly one of the greatest joys. 

I’ve been serving at New Covenant since 2002 and my biggest passion is for the littles! My husband, Matt and I have been married a little over 30 years. We have a son, Jonathan (Jon) who is now in his 20s, has purchased a home now leaving us “empty nesters”. Wow! Time sure does fly with kids. I love listening to music, spending time with my family and friends, and making others smile.

I get the opportunity to work alongside a passion filled team, leading worship. I admit, my role at New Covenant gives me the best seat in the house every Sunday morning. I get a view from the platform of a church body praising and celebrating together. Incredible!
When I’m not leading worship, I’m chasing after four little ones and most likely trying to catch up on laundry. I love crafting, sprinkles, and beating my husband at fantasy football. (It happened once).

I’ve been involved with imaging all my life, including back in a previous millennium when it was called photography. Here at New Covenant, my job is to lead a team of volunteers who provide the technical overview of sound, lighting, and video coverage of our worship services. That includes how it’s seen here in our worship center on the screens as well as what goes out over our live-stream presentations to people all around the country. I love the opportunity to help prepare the way for the message of redemption and salvation to reach everyone.

I handle most things dealing with communication and operations here at the church.  My family has been a part of New Covenant since early 2009 and I came on staff in the summer of 2015. My husband Matt and I are busy keeping up with our 2 boys Jackson and Joey and our sassy "thinks she's teenager" daughter Allison.

I am responsible for the upkeep of the building and grounds here at New Covenant. Fun Fact: Although I have a pilot’s license, I have not piloted an airplane since the mid 90’s.

I am the administrative director.  My duties include, but are not limited to, the church’s financial and legal matters, negotiating contracts, and anything else that comes up.  Outside of this, I also serve on the finance team, ops team, events planning team, teller team, safety team, and my favorite… worship team.  I have made New Covenant my church home for the last 24 years because I see the heart of the church for serving in our communities.  I also enjoy treasure hunting and spend time with my family.

As Rooted Director, Pastor Kandace oversees our Rooted program and the network of home groups born out of it. When asked why she is looking forward to taking on the role of Rooted Director, Kandace replied, “Because it will allow me the great privilege of walking alongside others who are stepping up to help facilitate a group-discipleship experience that will get people rooted in Jesus, and that is exciting!” Pastor Kandace’s favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 40:31 (NIV), “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

As Equipping Hour Architect, Pastor Michael is responsible for designing our discipleship strategy. Michael shared these thoughts about  this role: “I believe very strongly that the church mission statement is exactly what Christianity is, at its core, all about. So I'm excited to be able to participate and contribute to seeing it become more and more of a reality in our community of believers. I love the people at New Covenant, I admire their dedication and passion, and I am deeply honored to be part of this team.” A verse that has had deep meaning for Pastor Michael lately is Philippians 4:8-9 (ISV), “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy - keep thinking about these things. Likewise, keep practicing these things: what you have learned, received, heard, and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.”