Caleb and Rachel Klinge – Lead Pastors
Caleb and Rachel are California natives. They love Marin, the Bay Area, and the people that live here. They are passionate to see the presence of God impact the North Bay Area and surrounding regions. Caleb and Rachel have a high value for unity in the body of Christ, and a passion for a Kingdom movement that brings authentic revival in every nation. A love for the nations, solid preaching, and passion to worship Jesus, all characterize their ministry together. They have traveled extensively and ministered throughout many nations. Caleb and Rachel both graduated from Christian Life International Bible College with High Honors and are ordained ministers with the Assemblies of God (AG). They have been married since 1996 and have two children, Benjamin and Phebe. Caleb is the Lead Pastor of New Life Church and Rachel is the Campus Pastor of New Life San Fransisco.
Christopher and Lucia Mychajluk – Principal, Marin Christian Academy/Teacher
Christopher joined the NLC staff in 2004, as principal of Marin Christian Academy. Lucia has served various roles at the school and currently serves as a teacher. Christopher and Lucia have a heart for God’s people and are pressing into his presence so His Kingdom can pour out in the school. They began their ministry together in their charismatic Catholic high school youth group. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, they went on to work in a parochial grade school as an administrator and a teacher. After eight years as an accountant/controller for two businesses and becoming involved in his own startup, Christopher was called back into full-time ministry in 1999, as principal of Salinas Christian School. With the addition of our high school in 2015, Christopher became superintendent of schools for Noah’s Ark Preschool, Marin Christian Academy and North Bay Christian Academy High School. They have four daughters and have been married for over 33 years.
John Bidaurreta – Connection Pastor
John’s heart is to serve, equip, and connect the body of Christ. His current ministry focus is to build community and deepen relationships in the church. He oversees Life Groups & classes that help people take their next steps in discipleship. John and Katia have been part of New Life since 2000, where John got radically saved and Katia re-dedicated her life to Christ. John, born and raised in Marin County, met Katia, who is originally from São Paulo, Brazil and married in 2002 and have two children, Emma & Maya. They enjoy biking and hiking in the gorgeous Bay Area.
Isaac & Ann Munene – Pastors of African Oasis
Pastor Isaac and Ann were both born and raised in Kenya, East Africa. They love to worship and share the love of Jesus with those around them. Their vision is to see people fall in love with Jesus and THRIVE in their everyday lives, especially in family life and in the marketplace. They have led an African Fellowship at New Life for over 20 years and serve in different ministry capacities at New Life as well as in the larger community. Both graduated from Christian Life International Bible College and Isaac is an ordained minister. Isaac and Ann have been married since 1999 and have been blessed with two children.
Dave Schenone – Director of Youth & Young Adults.
Avi Fernandez – Assistant Youth Director & Social Media Coordinator
Avi was born in Lima, Peru and immigrated to the United States with her mom when she was 5 years old. She grew up in Marin County and graduated from Marin Christian Academy, San Marin High School, and Christian Life International Bible College. She started serving on worship team in 7th grade and became a student leader at youth group in 11th grade. She is passionate about education, seeing students grow in their relationship with Jesus, and having fun! Avi has her Masters Degree from USF in Counseling Psychology and is a high school counselor in San Rafael, CA. You will also see her around church capturing social media photos and finding creative ways to engage our community. In her free time she loves to hike, thrift, drink lots of coffee, and travel.
Caio de Azevedo – Worship Director
Caio serves as the church’s Co-Director for the Worship Team. Caio was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and spent several years in California and Georgia. He started his path in music at a young age with a rhythmic passion for drums and percussion that shortly led to playing multiple instruments. Caio has a B.S. in Civil Engineering. While in school, he completed a 2-year musical ministry program Canzion Institute of Music, a ministry school founded by Marcos Witt, where he later taught at as a Drums and Ensemble instructor. Caio carries a drive for composition and pursues to write music that will bring Heaven to Earth. He’s helped compose and translate songs to Portuguese and Spanish and has participated in album recordings. Caio and his wife Janell met in 2017 at a young adults’ conference in Fairfield, CA and were married in April of 2019. These two carry a desire to see people in touch with their God-given purpose. In their spare time, they enjoy meeting new people, traveling, and pursuing their dreams in art and music.
Christina Mendes – Assistant Worship Director
Christina was born and raised in Marin County. However, it was when her family relocated to the great city of Sacramento where she received the love of Christ for the first time. At the young age of 11, Christina discovered her passion for music and began singing in various church services.
Christina later graduated from Trinity Bible College (Now Epic Bible College) with a B.A. in Biblical and Ministerial Studies. After graduating in 2010, Christina came back to Marin with her passion for reaching hurting people and bringing them into the presence of the Great Healer. When Christina isn’t at New Life, she works for the Novato Chamber helping businesses grow and thrive to their fullest potential. She also graduated from Leadership Novato in 2015. She loves to run the roads and trails of beautiful Novato.
Dave McKay – Production Director
Unlike the 1st Law of Magnetism, like poles repelling each other, David and technology, while being similar, somehow are always attracted to each other. David grew up in the church and started learning from church tech teams when he was 8. That combined with his interest in music, picking up his first instrument at 6, became a huge place of outpouring for David. When he turned 16, music and technology became his main focus, eventually earning him a degree in Digital Media in college. Throughout his endeavors, he’s been on several worship teams, tech teams, and even did 2 years of youth ministry. Nowadays, David is constantly on the hunt to refine and evolve the combination of technology and ministry.
Amy James – Graphic Designer & Social Media Manager
As a graphic designer and Social Media Manager, Amy is in charge of the media for the church. Amy has been married to her husband Buddy since 2011 and together they have a beautiful daughter named Aurora.
Amy and Buddy James have served in the past as music, media, and young adult pastors. Amy is from Southern California and has ministered in worship with TeenMania and studied at New Life Bible College.
Chantal Glaser – Kid’s Ministry Director
Chantal has a passion for children. She loves to equip them on their own personal journey with the Lord. Her desire is to partner with their parents to guide their children toward a heart for God. Chantal grew up in Germany and joined New Life in 2015. She has served in Children’s Ministry in various roles for more than 20 years. Chantal is married to Philipp who is part of the Worship Team. Together they have four boys- Noah, Jona, Elia and Paul. She enjoys adventures with her family, loves fellowship and delicious food.
Ruth Ann Newberry – Noah’s Ark Preschool Director & Sunday Preschool Ministry Director
Ruth Ann has been the administrator of Noah’s Ark Preschool since 2003. She has a passion to see children taught and experience the love of God. Her desire is that both parents and children will have a positive Christian influence through a staff that works with a spirit of excellence. Ruth Ann has a B.S. in Biblical Studies and Early Childhood Education from Santa Rosa Junior College. She has been teaching for 21 years and directing for the last 10 years. She married her sweet husband Caleb in 1990 and they have three children – Joshua, Luke, and Tabitha. In her spare time, Ruth Ann loves to cook and do CrossFit.
Heather McCracken- Nursery Director
Heather has been a member of New Life Church since 2005. She worked for over 10 years in corporate companies around the bay area before landing in the North Bay. She attended Vanguard University, where she pursued classes in early childhood education. In 2008, Heather joined us as a preschool teacher at Noah’s Ark Preschool and then became the office manager for our very own K-12th grade school, Marin Christian Academy. Over the years, she has served in our preschool ministry and has just reprised her role in leading our nursery ministry. Heather has two children and an amazing grandson. She enjoys reading, outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and anything out in the sunshine.
Mary Hitson – Bookkeeper, New Life Church & Marin Christian Academy
Mary has served at NLC since 1990! She has diligently served first as a Secretary, then adding the role of Office Manager, and changed roles to that of Bookkeeper in December 2006. Raised in the Northwest, Mary moved to Novato in 1978 with her husband, Daniel, when the submarine he was stationed on began overhaul in drydock at Mare Island. They both became members of NLC in 1978. After Daniel’s third consecutive tour of duty in the Bay Area, they settled in Petaluma. They have been married for over 43 years and have two children and two grandchildren. Mary enjoys trying new recipes, reading and outdoor activities such as camping, kayaking, and hiking.
Emily Schenone – Administrative Assistant
Emily serves as one of the administrative assistants at New Life Church. She was born and raised in Windsor, CA, and went on to graduate from Northwest University in 2021 pursuing a BA in Biblical Literature. She has a heart to see this generation grow in love for God, people, and zeal for His word, and felt the Lord call her to New Life where she has since been involved with worship, the youth, and young adult ministries. Emily enjoys the opportunity to serve the Lord in administration, and connecting with others while completing organizational tasks.
Phebe Klinge – Administrative Assistant
Phebe was born and raised in Novato, California. She graduated from San Marin High School and is continuing her studies at College of Marin. She has been a part of New Life Church her entire life! Phebe has served in kids ministry, production team, worship team, and as a student leader at youth group. In her free time, she loves to be outdoors and enjoys trail running, traveling, and playing piano. She is the former president of the Jesus Club at San Marin where they saw large numbers of students experience the love of God on their high school campus. Her heart is to see her generation walk in truth and freedom, surrendered completely to Christ. You will always find Phebe with a smile on her face as you walk into our church office!