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Equipped with a HEARING LOOP Assisted Listening System. |
What you can expect at New Life
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Staff
Senior Minister Matt (wife Connie)
Senior Minister, Matt Malott
Matt and Connie moved to The Villages from Columbus, Indiana where Matt was Associate Minister at First Christian Church and Connie was Director of Human Resources at a retirement community.
Matt received his Bachelors Degree from Louisville Bible College, Louisville, Kentucky and the Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from Cincinnati Christian Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to his years in ministry he has taught New Testament, Theology and Ethics at Louisville Bible College and Oakland City University.
Matt and Connie moved to The Villages from Columbus, Indiana where Matt was Associate Minister at First Christian Church and Connie was Director of Human Resources at a retirement community.
Matt received his Bachelors Degree from Louisville Bible College, Louisville, Kentucky and the Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from Cincinnati Christian Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to his years in ministry he has taught New Testament, Theology and Ethics at Louisville Bible College and Oakland City University.
Associate Minister Bob (wife Joyce)
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Associate Minister, Bob Kapp
Bob and Joyce moved to The Villages from The Woodlands, Texas where Bob served as Associate Pastor at the Ark Church and Joyce is the Chief Executive Assistant at Arrow Child & Family Ministries. Bob received his College Degree from Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida. In addition to his 40-plus years in ministry, he is a Certified Maxwell Leadership Coach teaching leadership to churches and businesses. Bob and Joyce have been married for over 42 years, they have 2 married daughters and 3 granddaughters. |
Worship Minister Mike (wife Amy)
Worship Minister, Mike Thomas
Mike and Amy Thomas moved to The Villages from Dothan, Alabama, where Mike was the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church of Dothan, and Amy was an adjunct vocal professor at Wallace Community College.
Mike received his bachelor's degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas and has been in the ministry for 25 years, serving in various churches in Alabama and Florida. Mike and Amy have spent many years in the arts community as well, performing in various musical groups, theatre shows, and performing at Disney world. They have 3 children and 1 grandchild: Abby, Lyndsay, Ethan, and Kal-El.
Mike and Amy Thomas moved to The Villages from Dothan, Alabama, where Mike was the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church of Dothan, and Amy was an adjunct vocal professor at Wallace Community College.
Mike received his bachelor's degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas and has been in the ministry for 25 years, serving in various churches in Alabama and Florida. Mike and Amy have spent many years in the arts community as well, performing in various musical groups, theatre shows, and performing at Disney world. They have 3 children and 1 grandchild: Abby, Lyndsay, Ethan, and Kal-El.
Secretary, Jennifer Carlson
Jennifer Carlson, Secretary
Board of Elders
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Russ Bridges (wife Lynn)
Russ and his Wife, Lynn, have resided in The Villages since 2016. He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He served in the Air Force and the National Guard and came to New LIfe Christian Church shortly after COVID in January 2021 and became an Elders in 2024. Besides serving our church, I enjoy cycling and have participated in several century (100-mile) bike rides to raise money for various causes, i.e. BikeMS, Hearts for Our Hospital, etc. They both serve as Greeters, and Russ leads the new Pastoral Care Ministry, reaching out to our church members in the hospital, rehab, and home-bound.
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Jeff Buford (wife Deb)
Jeff Buford hails from Bloomington, IL and retired in 2012. He and his wife Deborah came to Florida in 2013. They found New Life Christian Church and felt that God had led them to New Life. Jeff was called to be an elder in February 2021.
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Ron De Jonge (wife Cheryl)
Ron, a former Personal Trainer and Business Owner, has enjoyed serving in churches for many years. He and his wife Cheryl (former pianist @ NLCC), have a son, Rob (wife, Minnie), and other family members living nearby. Thankfully, the Lord brought us to New Life in 2015! Since then, Ron has been serving in the Sound Booth and was confirmed as Elder January 5, 2025.
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Lyle Pettigrew (wife Susan)
Lyle and his wife Susan sold their business and moved from Indiana to The Villages in 2018. Lyle is a vocalist in the music ministry and a leader in men's bible study. Susan is a leader of women's bible studies and actively involved in women’s events. Together they have written several Christian worship songs. Lyle was called to be an Elder in 2022.
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NLCC History
On October 2, 2005 the first service was held in rented space in the Seventh Day Adventist Church building. New Life began with about 20 full-time members and 20 seasonal members. Matt Malott has been the minister of the church since its inception and continues in that position.
In the summer of 2006, nine acres of ground on CR 462 near Wildwood was purchased with the intent of it becoming a permanent church location. Plans for a worship center that would seat 300 was presented to the congregation and construction began in January 2008. The first service in the new worship center was held on July 27, 2008.
As the church continued to increase in size, it became evident that more space would be necessary for continued growth. In the fall of 2015 an expansion program was presented to the congregation that featured a new 500-seat auditorium, a suite of church offices and the remodel of the existing building to accommodate educational and fellowship activities. The church overwhelmingly approved the plan. Groundbreaking for the project was held on April 10, 2016, and the first service in the new building was held on September 17, 2017.
While we are grateful for God's blessings in the past, we believe that NLCC's greatest days are yet ahead!
In the summer of 2006, nine acres of ground on CR 462 near Wildwood was purchased with the intent of it becoming a permanent church location. Plans for a worship center that would seat 300 was presented to the congregation and construction began in January 2008. The first service in the new worship center was held on July 27, 2008.
As the church continued to increase in size, it became evident that more space would be necessary for continued growth. In the fall of 2015 an expansion program was presented to the congregation that featured a new 500-seat auditorium, a suite of church offices and the remodel of the existing building to accommodate educational and fellowship activities. The church overwhelmingly approved the plan. Groundbreaking for the project was held on April 10, 2016, and the first service in the new building was held on September 17, 2017.
While we are grateful for God's blessings in the past, we believe that NLCC's greatest days are yet ahead!
