Troy McNichols has been serving as the Lead Pastor of New Life Church since June 2001. With a rich background in ministry, Troy grew up traveling the country with his family's southern Gospel group, "The McNichols." This experience allowed him to meet diverse people and observe various leadership styles, shaping his approach to ministry today. Troy is married to Christa, and they have three children: Cody (married to Madison with two children), Taylor (married to Ryan with one child), and Caleb (married to Sydney with one child). When not leading the church, Troy enjoys spending time with family and friends, often over pizza and a movie. His favorite scripture is 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, and he has a particular fondness for his mom's pineapple upside-down cake.

Tom Duncan joined New Life Church as Executive Pastor in June 2010, bringing with him 19 years of full-time local church ministry experience. Tom and his wife April have been married since 1989 and are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to two (soon to be four) grandchildren. Tom's passion lies in helping people discover how they can make an impact for the Kingdom through their God-given experiences, passions, and abilities. He finds joy in watching new people engage with the church each week, seeking the healing and hope of Jesus. In his free time, Tom enjoys a wide array of activities, including disc golf, tennis, pickleball, and creating lists and trivia games. His favorite scriptures include Romans 8:28 and Isaiah 55:8-9.

Ryan Stroop has been serving as the Worship Pastor at New Life Church since June 2021. He and his wife Liz have been married since 2010 and are parents to three amazing daughters: Ella, Norah, and Josie. Ryan's passion for music was nurtured from a young age, with supportive parents who encouraged his musical pursuits, even when it meant hosting a drum set in their home. At New Life, Ryan loves investing in future leaders and providing opportunities for them to grow into their God-given callings. Outside of church, Ryan enjoys family time, sleepovers with his girls, watching movies, playing sports, and indulging in ice cream. His favorite scripture is 1 Corinthians 8:1a-3, emphasizing the importance of love in strengthening the church.

Stewart Oswalt joined New Life Church in 2021 and serves as the Connections & Middle School Pastor. He and his wife Natalie have three children: Trey (20), Selah (12), and Judah (10). Stewart's journey with New Life is deeply personal, as he now serves the community that helped shape who he is today. His favorite part of the job is relationally journeying through life with people, reflecting his passion for authentic connections. In his free time, he loves spending time outdoors with his family – running, biking, hiking and camping. An interesting fact about Stewart is that he once went on a ride in a Blackhawk Helicopter, adding to his diverse life experiences. Stewart's favorite scripture is John 15.

Stacey Wiles joined New Life Church in 2019. She and her husband Ken have been married for 26 years and have four children: Kayley (23), Bryce (21) (Married to Kalysta), Chelsey (19), and Brady (17). Before joining New Life, Stacey ran a photography business for 15 years and was an elementary school teacher for 10 years. Her favorite part of her job is working with great people and tackling different projects every day. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her family, playing games, and doing things outside.

Mandi Downs has been part of the New Life Church family since 2005 and currently serves as the Kid Life Pastor. She and her husband Ryan, whom she met at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, have been married since 2008 and have a son, Oliver, born in 2018. Mandi's passion for children's ministry was cultivated from a young age in her childhood church, where she first realized her gifting for ministering to kids. Her favorite part of her role is seeing how God works in the lives of children and watching them grow in their faith. She also particularly enjoys hanging out with preteens. Outside of church, Mandi loves spending time with her family, playing board games, reading, and crafting. Her go-to scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6.

Kalysta Wiles joined New Life Church as the Kid Life Outreach Pastor in May 2024. She recently married her husband Bryce in August 2024, marking the beginning of their family journey together. Kalysta's connection with New Life began during her sophomore year of college when she started dating Bryce, as it was his home church. Her favorite part of the job is the opportunity to connect with kids, learn more about who they are, and teach them about Jesus. Kalysta finds inspiration in Isaiah 40:8. In her free time, she enjoys taking walks with her husband, baking desserts, and relaxing at home while watching shows or movies. She also loves making coffee or going out for coffee with friends.

Beth Neighbarger joined New Life Church staff in 2019. She and her husband Paul have been married for 25 years and are blessed with four children: Joy (20), Grace (18), Hope (17), and James (12). Beth and her family were initially drawn to New Life by its welcoming atmosphere and excellent children's programs. Her favorite part of the job is connecting with kids and families and witnessing their growth in faith. She also greatly enjoys working alongside her colleagues. Outside of work, she loves playing games with her family and watching their favorite shows together. Beth's favorite part of the work week is spending time with the kids on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Beth finds inspiration in Psalm 46:10. 

Jeremiah McClure joined New Life Church as the High School/Young Adults Pastor in August 2024. He has been married to his beloved Jessica for 18 1/2 years, and they have five children: Selah (16), Meraya (15), Amiah (12), Zemira (10), and Judah (8). As a third-generation Nazarene pastor who grew up on a college campus, Jeremiah brings a rich heritage of faith and education to his role. His favorite part of the job is the opportunity to pour into the next generations, aligning with the church's mission and university connection. Jeremiah finds inspiration in Jeremiah 20:9, 15:16, and 29:11. In his free time, he enjoys exploring his latest hobby or reading a good book.

Ryan Farr has been the Director of Sports Ministry at New Life Church since 2018. He and his wife Rachel are parents to three boys: Colton (11), Mason (9), and Easton (6). Ryan's role at New Life is unique, as he was entrusted with developing a new concept for the church – a sports ministry in Mount Vernon. His favorite part of the job is working closely with families in the community who may be outside the traditional church environment. Ryan's background in sports has played a significant role in his faith journey, as God touched his heart in various ways through his participation in sports and the people he met while playing. His favorite scripture is Colossians 3:23, and he enjoys watching YSU football, having date nights with Rachel, and taking day trips with his family.

Brad Whitaker serves as the Care Pastor at New Life Church, a role he took on as a volunteer in August 2024 after being involved in other areas of service since 2018. Brad and his wife Leslie have been married for many years and have two grown sons living out of state. Both Brad and Leslie have extensive experience in Christian higher education, having worked in the field for about 25 years. Brad's journey to pastoral ministry included serving as a Young Adult and College pastor at another Nazarene church in Mount Vernon. He has been an elder in the Church of the Nazarene since 2019. Brad's passion for care ministry was shaped by personal experiences, including journeying through loss, cancer, and chemotherapy. His favorite scripture is 2 Samuel 24:24. In his free time, Brad enjoys being with friends, traveling, and watching sports. An interesting fact about Brad: he grew up in southern Africa as the son of Nazarene missionaries, and his first language was not English.

Jana Yost has been serving as the Office Manager at New Life Church since 2022. She is married to Dan, and they have three children: Caleb (13), Austin (10), and Sadie (8). Jana was initially drawn to New Life by the children's programming and the style of music and service. Her favorite part of the job is the people she works with and the wide range of job responsibilities. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, eating pizza, playing games, watching movies, shopping, and being outdoors.