The Team

Lead Pastor

I was raised in church , but not in Christ. I met Jesus and surrendered my life at 18. 

I went on to study at Christ For The Nations Institute, where I earned a Bachelor’s in Practical Ministry with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. In 2011, I stepped into full-time ministry as a youth pastor and later served as assistant director of Youth For The Nations, one of the largest Spirit-filled summer camps for teenagers in the southern United States. In 2013, I married my wife, Faith, and later completed a second bachelor’s degree in General Christian Studies from The King’s University in Southlake, Texas. 

I served faithfully for ten years at New Life Church Santa Barbara, a Foursquare church in California, before God put it on our hearts to move to the Southwest to plant a new church. Today, I serve as the lead pastor of Newstory Church and as a hospice chaplain in our city, where I am passionate about helping people encounter Jesus. 

I love all things apple, photography and Chick-fil-a. In that order. =)

Co-Pastor

I grew up as a missionary kid, first in Alaska and later in South Carolina, where ministry and music quickly became central to my life. As a teenager, I began serving in ministry as a children’s worship lead in a large church, and after high school I attended Christ For The Nations Institute, earning a bachelor’s degree in Worship & Technical Arts. I also had the privilege of serving as a worship leader for Youth For The Nations, one of the largest summer camps for teenagers in Texas. In 2013, I married Fernando, and together we served as youth pastors and later associate pastors in Santa Barbara, California, for ten years before moving to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to plant a church.