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Rick Thiemke, Lead Pastor
Before coming to New Life Church, Pastor Rick was a youth pastor for ten years and an associate pastor for four years. He has worked in ministry in large church settings and is thrilled when people come to know Jesus.
Pastor Rick was called to pastor a church that would impact its community and the world. He came to New Life Church in August 2000 when there were 18 members and 50 in attendance on Sundays. Pastor Rick' s vision is for New Life Church to have a strong presence in Yorkville as well as in the surrounding communities.
Today, New Life Church is vibrant and experiencing dramatic growth with the majority of the congregation being new believers. The church focus is on children and youth, worship, small groups and missions both locally and abroad. Pastor Rick and his wife Susan live in Yorkville with their children, Brittany and Kyle.
Jon Lawson, Executive Pastor
Jon Lawson assists in developing and administrating New Life Church ministries and the pastoral and support teams. Jon’s focuses are Life Groups (small groups), Initiatives Team leadership (development of new ministries), and Spiritual Formation (discipleship).
Patrice, Jon’s wife, and their two children, Olivia and David joined the pastoral team in June 2007.
“Assisting a church like New Life to develop people who follow the teachings of Jesus is my passion,” states Lawson.
Jon enjoys time with family, hiking, skiing, and studying. He finished a Doctorate in Worship Studies at The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Jacksonville, FL in June 2007.
Brendon Ramseier, Children's Pastor
Pastor Brendon (aka Pastor B) started in children’s ministry as a volunteer in 1993 at his church in St. Joseph, MO, and has been honored to be involved in the foundational years of kid’s lives as a children’s pastor since 1997. He leads an incredible children’s ministry team that provides great ministry to children birth through 12 years old, and their families.
Brendon his wife Lora and their two girls Mackenzie and Morgan joined the NLC staff in December 2008. They currently reside in Montgomery.
Conner Simms, Student Ministries Pastor
Conner Simms was a long-term resident of Lake Zurich, IL, but for the last 10 months has served a church plant in the Los Angeles, CA area. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and Northern Seminary. Conner accepted Christ during his high school years due to some prayerfully, persistent friends who were involved with Youth for Christ. He now leads an incredible student ministry team that provides great ministry to ages 7-12 grades.
Conner joined the NLC staff in August 2010. He currently resides in Montgomery.
Daniel Adsit, Music/Worship Pastor
Daniel Adsit was a Worship Leader at Woodman Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs, CO. His pastoral heart, worship leading experience, and musical abilities enriches the worship life of New Life Church.
Daniel joined the NLC staff in August 2010. He currently resides in Yorkville.
Debbie George, Children's Outreach
Pastor Debbie George has attended New Life Church since 1990. She was given the position of Children's Ministries Director in 2000 and served in that ministry until 2003 when NLC hired a full-time children's pastor. Pastor Debbie continues to be on staff as a Children's Evangelist, which allows her to pursue her true passion – telling children about God's love. She is also the director of The Merry Hearts Clowns and leads them in many outreach opportunities. Pastor Debbie and her husband Ron live in Montgomery and have three grown children - Jamie, Andy and Molly.
Carissa Stuepfert, Preschool Coordinator
Helping children to know Jesus as their best friend and Savior is the desire of our Preschool department and its coordinator, Carissa Stuepfert. Carissa oversees our Preschool programming for weekend services as well as NLC's Preschool Kid's Clubs on Wednesday evenings.
Carissa and her family came to New Life Church from Colorado, where she was serving as a Coordinator in Children's Ministry. Carissa and her husband, Phil, reside in Yorkville along with their children, Briana, Brook, Andrew, and Aaron.