Meet the dedicated leaders and staff who serve our church community. Our pastoral team and ministry directors are passionate about seeing the presence of God impact Novato, Marin County, and the greater North Bay area. Whether you are visiting us for the first time or looking to take your next steps in discipleship, we are here to support, equip, and walk alongside you on your faith journey.
From our lead pastors to our children, youth, and media directors, each team member is committed to loving God and loving people. Scroll down to get to know our leadership team, learn about their backgrounds, and discover their hearts for ministry. We look forward to meeting you in person this Sunday!
Caleb and Rachel Klinge – Lead Pastors
Caleb and Rachel are California natives. They love Marin, the Bay Area, and the people who live here. They are passionate about seeing 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 Francisco.
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, when 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 they 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.
Jared & Samantha Gella – Pastors of Student Ministries, Administrative Assistant
Jared and Samantha Gella are Bay Area Natives that love to travel and eat great food! They are Filipino, Chinese, and Peruvian, and love working with youth and watching basketball. Jared has been in ministry for 7+ years and previously worked with inner-city kids & youth in San Francisco. He also has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SF State. Samantha has a college degree from Carrington College and multiple years of experience in management and client services. She also serves as our administrative assistant. God brought them both to Marin in a very unique season of their lives, with a burden to build relationships with the lost and hurting. They currently oversee Student Ministries here at New Life Church.
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 the 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 & Janell De Azevedo – Worship Director & Young Adults Directors
Caio – Worship Director:
Caio serves as the church’s Worship Director, bringing a lifelong passion for music and ministry. He began with drums and percussion before expanding into multiple instruments. He trained at the Canzion Institute of Music, founded by Marcos Witt, and later taught there as a drums and ensemble instructor. Caio is passionate about songwriting that reflects Heaven on Earth and has contributed to writing and translating songs in Portuguese and Spanish, as well as participating in album recordings. As a local resident of Novato, he enjoys life with his wife and two sons, his community, and traveling.
Caio & Janell – Young Adults Directors:
Caio and his wife Janell serve as the Vibe Young Adults Directors, leading with a shared passion for raising up the next generation. They met in 2017 at a young adults conference in Fairfield, CA, where both were already serving in thriving ministries. Today, they continue to lead with that same passion and wisdom, seeking the Lord for fresh vision as they serve young adults across the Bay Area. Their heart is to see people step into their God-given purpose. In their free time (whenever their two boys allow it), they enjoy building community, traveling, and pursuing creative passions in art and music.
Dave McKay – Production Director
Unlike the 1st Law of Magnetism, where like poles repel 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 – Kids’ 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.
Tamara Signor – Kids’ Ministry Assistant Director
Tamara was born and raised in Marin County and has felt a calling to children’s ministry from a young age. With a degree in Early Childhood Education, she loves guiding children as they grow in their faith and helping them discover God’s love. She and her husband Luis, who serves on the worship team, are blessed with three children and enjoy serving alongside their church community. Tamara is passionate about seeing the next generation embrace their identity in Christ and step into the purpose God has for their lives. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling with her family, and creating lasting memories together.
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 49 years and have two children and two grandchildren. Mary enjoys trying new recipes, reading, and outdoor activities such as camping, kayaking, and hiking.
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 in a variety of roles at the school and currently serves as a substitute teacher. Together, Christopher and Lucia share a deep love for God’s people and a strong desire to press into His presence, believing that God’s Kingdom is poured out through Christian education.
Their ministry journey began together in a charismatic Catholic high school youth group. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, they served in a parochial elementary school as an administrator and teacher. Following eight years working as an accountant and controller for two businesses—and participating in his own startup—Christopher was called back into full-time ministry in 1999 to serve as Principal of Salinas Christian School.
Christopher and Lucia have been married for over 39 years and are blessed with four daughters and one grandchild.