Pastors & Staff

Leadership

Barry Briggs

Lead Pastor

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.

Dan Shinabarger

Connections Pastor

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.

Brandon Woods

Associate Pastor

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. 

Sarah Juillett

Student Ministries Director

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 25 years to Theron my high school sweetheart and we have two kids (23 and 18). I love to sing, read books, spend time with my family and all things coffee!!

Tracy Edwards

Little Village Director

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.

Melanie Woods

Worship Director

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).

Ken Owen

Tech Director

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.

Ryan Chadwell

Facility Director

As the Director of Facilities, my ministry includes creating a welcoming and safe environment for all families who gather here. I would consider myself a faithful Jesus follower and I place my family at the center of my life. My journey alongside God is shared with my wife of 25 years, 3 children, and 6 grandchildren. My family has been a part of New Covenant for 10 + years and it truly has been a life changing experience to walk this path as members of God’s family; a place I never imagined I would end up but am so blessed that we did. Some fun facts: I am a proud owner of McCoy’s Double Barrel BBQ catering and I love me some Detroit Lions and Michigan State Spartans.

Kandace Chadwell

Discipleship Pastor

As the Rooted Director, I oversee a discipleship program and the network of home groups born out of it. This allows me the great privilege of walking alongside others who are stepping up to facilitate group experiences that help get people rooted in Jesus, and that is exciting! As a recently ordained Pastor, I am walking slowly with Jesus to discover where the journey leads me next. My awesome husband of 25 years makes me laugh daily and my 3 kids and 6 grandkids keep us busy and proud. My favorite things to do are garden (yep even enjoying pulling weeds), strolling through nature, going camping with the family and reading as much as possible.

Michael Back

Equipping Hour Architect

As Equipping Hour Architect, I am responsible for designing our discipleship strategy. 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.

Penny Jones

Kid City Director

My Family and I have been replanted back here in Clio and at New Covenant where I was raised. I am the Kid City Director, serving grades 1-4 and their parents. My mission is to equip and empower parents to lead their family spiritually in their homes. I also LOVE being with kids and getting the opportunity to help not only disciple them, but to teach them to become disciple-makers and to adopt a Godly worldview. I am a kid at heart and some of my favorite things to do on my own time are play board games, craft, go camping, watch the Detroit Tigers, and chillax!

Brittany Seal

Office Director
 
My husband and I along with our children began coming to New Covenant in January of 2023 and we love it here. I feel God has brought us here for a purpose and I am so excited to be brought on staff and see what he has in store! When not working I enjoy playing board games with family and friends, camping in the Summer, and traveling whenever I can.