Meet Our Elders
At New Life, our elders are called, qualified, and accountable leaders who shepherd God’s people with humility, truth, and integrity.
Steve Christner
- Elder since 2023
- Meaningful Scripture: Isaiah 40:31. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
- Prayer for NLF: I pray that NLF would be Holy Spirit led and that we would be biblically based in our teaching. I also pray that every person who attends NLF would feel loved and appreciated.
- Fun Fact: I played baseball at the University of Evansville.
Steve & Jaynee
Dave Frey
- Elder since 2026
- Meaningful Scripture: Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. NKJV
- Prayer for NLF: I pray that we would be a Jesus Christ preaching church, that people can feel the Holy Spirit when they walk through our doors.
- Fun Fact: I love to smoke meat and ride Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Dave & Dorothy, Larson
Marty Gates
- Elder since 2023
- Meaningful Scripture: Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
- Prayer for NLF: I pray that we become a unified body with unwavering faith, wholly
surrendered to God and directly reflecting Jesus Christ by loving and serving others well!
Marty & Lora, Kaylyn, Caedmon
Jordan Hostetler
- Elder since 2020
- Meaningful Scripture: Acts 2:42-47. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
- Prayer for NLF: I pray that NLF would continue to dive deeper into relationships with one another and not settle for the comfort of Sunday morning church. Accountability and grace should guide our love for one another, eventually leading us to a deeper relationship with Christ.
- Fun Fact: I drive over 500 vehicles each year.
Jordan & Lynsey
Russ Hunsberger
- Elder since 2020
- Meaningful Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
- Prayer for NLF: I pray that our people walk in such close proximity to Jesus that we will consistently and clearly know the next steps he is asking us to take with Him and with others.
- Fun Fact: I have been collecting various board games for over 20 years and love the challenge of helping others discover new games and fresh ways to have fun interactions.
Russ & Becky, Morgan, Ryan
Kurt Lambright
- Elder since 2020
- Meaningful Scripture: Colossians 3:17. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Prayer for NLF: I pray New Life Fellowship would be a community of believers who have found the fullness of life and grace only provided by God the Father. I pray we would walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit fully surrendering our lives and sharing the Gospel and love of Jesus out of an act of obedience.
- Fun Fact: I ran my first full marathon when I was a freshman in high school.
Kurt & Paige, Piper, Posie, Karcher
Craig Mast
- Elder since 2026
- Meaningful Scripture: John 12:24. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
- Prayer for NLF: That the seed may be planted in all of us, that we may grow in knowledge and understanding of God. I pray that we may lead many to Him.
Craig & Jess
Neil Miller
- Elder since 2020
- Meaningful Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8. Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
- Prayer for NLF: That all who come into Jesus’s church would grow deeper in their walk with each passing day until we see Him again.
- Fun Fact: I enjoy making pies.
Neil & Jasmin
Brian Miller
- Elder since 2024
- Meaningful Scripture: Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ in me. The life i now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Prayer for NLF: I pray we would be a people so formed and fueled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that the outsider would be drawn out of darkness and into the arms of a true family.
- Fun Fact: I can be found sitting on a front porch rocking chair for hours!
Brian & Brooke
Drew Ryall
- Elder since 2020
- Meaningful Scripture: Philippians 1:6. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
- Prayer for NLF: I pray NLF will be a sending church, not just a sitting church.
- Fun Fact: As a 9-year-old, I sang a duet with my Mom centered around Philippians 1:6
Drew & Molly, Bentley, Josie and Declan
Mark Sharick
- Elder since 2026
- Meaningful Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
- Prayer for NLF: I pray NLF would always operate by following Matthew 22:37-40.
- Fun Fact: My entire family have all had the opportunity to go to a third world country as teenagers.
Mark & Michelle
Devon Weaver
- Elder since 2020
- Meaningful Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17. “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another, and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love — the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
- Prayer for NLF: I pray that we can live out Colossians 3:12-17 as a church.
- Fun Fact: Winter is my favorite season and I love snow!
Devon & Linda