Staff
JON LAWSON
LEAD PASTOR
Jon has served as the lead pastor at New Life Church for the last six years. Prior to that, he served New Life Church as interim and executive pastor. Patrice, Jon’s wife, is a music teacher at Bristol Bay Elementary School in Yorkville, IL. Jon and Patrice previously lived in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Jon strives to make biblical teaching practical and relevant to a modern hearer. Jon graduated from Evangel University and received his doctorate from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Jon enjoys date nights with Patrice, time with Olivia and David, his two adult children, hiking, golfing, biking, and music. His favorites include German food, “Elf" the movie, and “American Ninja Warriors” the TV series.
BRENDON RAMSEIER
FAMILY LIFE PASTOR
Pastor Brendon (aka Pastor B) started in kids 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 kids' lives as a children’s pastor since 1997. As Family Life Pastor, Brendon oversees ages birth - 12th grade. His desire is to see kids, students, and families grow closer to God and each other as they see God at work in their daily lives. Brendon, his wife Lora, and their two girls, Mackenzie and Morgan, joined the NLC staff in December 2008. They currently reside in Oswego.
RYAN CHATMAN
STUDENT MINISTRIES DIRECTOR
Ryan joined the pastoral staff at New Life Church in December 2017. He was born and raised in Yorkville, and he is a physical education teacher at Yorkville High School. Ryan is passionate about guiding teens on their spiritual journey with Jesus, and he is excited for the opportunity to mentor the students in grades 7 - 12 of New Life Church. He currently lives in Yorkville with his wife, Jamie, and their two sons, Sidney and Oliver.
LINDA KELLOGG
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Linda joined the Support Staff at New Life Church in October of 2011. She served as an Administrative Assistant to the Family Life Pastor and the Student Ministries Pastor until the Fall of 2015 when she graduated to the Administrative Assistant to the Lead Pastor and Worship Arts Pastor. She desires to support the Pastors and members of New Life Church in a godly and timely manner; “to be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs… Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13-15. She was born, raised, and currently resides in Yorkville with her husband, Jon, a Lieutenant with the Bristol-Kendall Fire Department. They have three adult kids and two grandpuppies. She enjoys reading, Pinterest projects, and tagging along on motorcycle rides with her husband on his Harley.
MARIJO KING
EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTOR
Marijo joined the staff at New Life Church in January of 2017. She is a graduate of Yorkville High School and received her degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. With her love of children and Jesus, she sees her role as Early Childhood Director at New Life as one of her biggest blessings. Marijo and her husband, Rory, live in Lake Holiday along with their five children and three dogs.
RACHEL MILLER
GRAPHICS/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Rachel has attended New Life since 2012 and joined the NLC staff in August of 2015. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with an Art degree focused in Graphic Design. Besides designing the graphics for NLC, she is also the administrative assistant to the Family Life Pastor and Student Ministries Director. She loves being able to use her creative talent to outreach to those who attend New Life and others in the community to further God's Kingdom. Rachel has lived in Yorkville for over 25 years and currently lives there with her husband, Tim, their two children, Remington and Autumn, and their dog, Rowdy. Rachel enjoys camping, watching LOST, and listening to movie soundtracks.
DEB PRIEBE
DAY CAMP DIRECTOR
Deb is the director of New Life Church’s Day Camp that takes place every summer. Each year she coordinates over 250 kids and over 100 volunteers for a week of learning about the love of Jesus. Deb, her husband, Scott, and son, Cameron, have been attending New Life Church since 2007. When she is not organizing all things Day Camp, she is a substitute high school teacher. She also loves gardening, reading, decorating, and entertaining.
CHRISTIE RETTER
FELLOWSHIP ONE ADMIN/BOOKKEEPER
Christie attended New Life Church as a young adult and returned in 2008 when she moved back to the area with her husband, Tom, and their four children, now all adults. On the road to becoming an empty nester, she enjoys traveling to see friends and family from coast to coast and scrapbooking those adventures. She really likes coffee, reading, and snuggling with her kitty, pretty much all at the same time. You’ll find her serving as a leader in Student Life Ministries on Wednesday nights, and she loves filling in wherever needed on Sundays. Christie has been on staff since 2013 and loves serving her New Life Church Family!
SHAY THIELE
WORSHIP LEADER
Shay joined the staff at New Life Church in September of 2018. He graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in music. Shay began leading worship in 2010 and has served at several churches over the years. His passion is to lead people into the presence of God, and he is focused on growing in relationship with Jesus Christ on a daily basis. He loves to study the Bible, compose new worship music, and lead others to the Lord. He lives in Mahomet, Illinois with his wife Heidi, who works at the University of Illinois.
