Members of the Week

Justin was born and raised in New York but since marrying Jamie in 1994 God has led him on an amazing adventure and an incredible story.

Act I – You've Got To Start Somewhere
The journey started as Justin and Jamie adjusted to married life. They also moved from New York to Burlington, Vermont where he worked for IBM. The story got even more exciting with the birth of his first daughter Samantha in 1994. Then while still working for IBM and serving as an interim youth pastor at Maranatha Christian Church his son Isaac was born in 1998. Justin learned how to be a husband and father during those years. Learned... well he’s still learning today. But those early years certainly set the tone for what was most important to him.

Act II – Home Again, Home Again
After six years, God opened the door for Justin to join the staff of the church he attended growing up - Valley Christian Church. So he and his family headed back to New York (and they say you can never go home again!) Justin served at Valley as an associate pastor from 2000 - 2004. It was an amazing time of growing. Learning how to be a pastor and maintain the balance between ministry and family. He may not have always gotten it right, but he sure learned a lot in the process.

Act III – Westward Bound
2005 brought two major changes. First, in January, Justin packed his bags and his little family and headed to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where he joined the staff of New Life Community Church (yes, same name... different church, and no connection!) as the Associate Pastor. But even more thrilling was the birth of his third child Abigail in 2005. Justin’s time at New Life helped prepare him even more for life and ministry. He learned to manage multiple staff and the pressure of leading various ministries. He also learned that leading with conviction can be dangerous. So in 2008 he left the staff of New Life and began searching for the next chapter of God’s plan for him and his family.

Act IV –Dreams Do Come True
Justin, Jamie, Samantha, Isaac, and Abigail came to New Life (yes THIS New Life) in the summer of 2008, and it’s a dream come true. Since he was 12 years old, Justin knew God was calling him to be pastor and one day, to be a lead pastor. Well, dreams do come true… both the dream of ministry and a dream church. He is learning what it means to truly love his wife (and family) like Christ loved the church, how to passionately pursue Christ, and how to lead with compassion, vision, and expectation. Justin couldn’t be more thankful for where he is…. and the incredible journey it took to get him here. Every step along the way has formed him into who he is today and has helped shape his convictions for leadership and ministry. He wouldn’t trade the journey for anything... and he’s only getting started!!!

William and Nena are founders of Harvest Integrity Systems which began in Cary, North Carolina in 1996 and are people desiring to follow the Lord's plan and purpose for their lives. They had moved to Cary, North Carolina in pursuit of that plan. What they found was clarity and understanding of the scripture that says in order for a person to 'find their life', they must 'lose their life'. (Matt. 10:39)

So began an adventure that is still unfolding ... even as we speak. You can find out more about Harvest Integrity Systems and the services they can help you with by visiting their website at www.harvestis.com.

Pastor John C. Adams was saved in 1976 in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to that time, he had been living a hard and fast lifestyle in the drug culture and had been a drug dealer. While working in a welding shop, in the Columbus area, he had been "witnessed to" by a former heroine junkie who had just been saved a few months prior.

Before long, he attended his first service at a small Pentecostal church on Columbus' east side. A few short months later, he met Jesus Christ, received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and exited the drug culture for good. Sensing a call to the ministry, he attended Bible school in St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating with honors while earning a Th.B. in 1982. Itinerant ministry would continue until 1984, when he married his lovely wife, Diane, whom he met in his home church. In the latter part of 1984, a small church in Lorain, Ohio asked them to be their pastor. They continued there for 13 yrs. While pastoring that first small church, Pastor Adams also worked a full time secular job. He was employed for 7yrs at Beckett Gas Inc., in North Ridgeville as a purchasing executive. "It was there", Pastor Adams states, I learned many excellent principles about godly business management and strategic planning."

During that time, a real estate developer planned to build Ohio's first gambling casino in the city of Lorain and pastor Adams was asked to assume the leadership of an Ad-Hoc coalition in opposition. Since that time, in 1988, he has been involved in the opposition of each and every gambling initiative presented to the Ohio voters and has testified to both the Ohio House and Senate. He was also invited by former Governor George Voinovich to join a State-wide coalition, Citizens for a Stronger Ohio, to oppose the last ballot initiative in which they were outspent 10 to 1 and still won on election day 62-38%. Pastor Adams is quick to point out that it was the prayers of God's people and wisdom given by God to those on the committee that brought the victory. Most recently, that opposition included joining a law suit filed against Bob Taft, Ohio's Governor and other Ohio Lottery officials over Ohio joining the "Mega Millions multi-state lottery game. He was also the Executive Director of The Liberty Committee, a federal PAC, which recruited, trained and supported conservative candidates for public office.

Pastor John has been senior pastor of  NLC since April of 1997. He has been married to Diane since 1984 and has 3 sons, Josh, who just returned from serving in the U.S. Army's Counter Intelligence Division in South Korea, and is now a Police Officer and also a full time recruiter for the Army National Guard, Jason, who is a boat mechanic at a local marina & Jesse, who is a shift supervisor at Starbucks.

Pastor John holds a Th.B. from Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul and a Masters in Practical Ministry (M.P.M.) diploma, from Wagner Leadership Institute in Colorado Springs. A man of the "Word", Pastor Adams is known for his ability to present biblical truths in an easy to understand manner. With leadership skills as his "strong suite" Pastor Adams states that pastoring and working with people (including his family) are the joys of his life.

A man who loves a "good adventure" Pastor John enjoys mountain climbing, long distance bicycle riding, competing in triathlons (see the adventures page), snow skiing, racquetball, paintball, scuba diving and was an assistant varsity wrestling coach for Huron High School for 4yrs. (yes, he had sons on the team) Pastor Adams consistently admonishes the membership of NLC to get involved in the community and make a difference with their godly influence. Pastor John is also the National Director of the Chaplaincy Program for MultisportMINISTRIES, which is an 800+ member Christian men's triathlong team. He is also the Chaplain to the Erie County Sheriff's office and teaches a class there twice a week called "Life Skills" which is based upon "Pastor John's 10 Undeniable Rules of Life."