Troy McNichols has pastored New Life Church since 2001. He grew up traveling and ministering with his family's southern Gospel group before earning degrees from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Ashland Theological Seminary. Troy gave his life to Jesus as a boy and fully surrendered to Him as a teenager, and years later he's still as excited about introducing others to Jesus as ever.

As Lead Pastor, Troy preaches, casts vision, and shapes the church's culture, with everything from staff meetings to crisis counseling filling his days. He loves reaching people through both traditional programming and out of the box ministries like community sports and the bus ministry.

Troy is married to Christa, and they have three children and five grandchildren. He enjoys family time, pizza, and riding around on his golf cart, Blue Thunder.

His life passage is 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, a reminder that he isn't called to be successful, but to be faithful.

Tom Duncan has served at New Life since 2007, with 19 years of prior ministry experience pastoring teenagers and families and leading worship. Knowing God as Creator and Father is central to his faith, and his desire is to become more like Jesus and love others toward Him.

Tom oversees Life Groups, the finance team, properties and facilities, safety, Women's Life, Senior Life, and attendance counting. His favorite part of ministry isn't in his job title, it's simply hearing people's stories.

Tom and his wife April have been married since 1989 and are grandparents to four grandchildren. He loves sports of every kind, playing, watching, coaching, and reading about them, and he and April are working through a bucket list goal of visiting every MLB stadium.

Tom's life verses are Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20, and Isaiah 55:8-9.

Ryan Stroop has served at New Life for five years. He grew up in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, playing in punk rock bands, before coming to Mount Vernon Nazarene University and eventually joining the staff after a call from Pastor Troy. He came to know Jesus young and felt called to ministry at 17, with a desire to lead people closer to Jesus than he was at their age.

As Executive Pastor of Ministry, Ryan oversees Celebration services and the worship and tech teams, and supports staff pastors and Pastor Troy on overall direction. His favorite part of the job is watching people and the staff grow into what God has called them to be.

Ryan and his wife Liz have three daughters: Ella, Norah, and Josie. He enjoys movies, softball, and Ben and Jerry's.

His life verse is Proverbs 16:3, a daily reminder to rely on God rather than his own plans.

Stacey Wiles is from a small town in northeast Ohio and moved to Mount Vernon for college at MVNC. She spent 12 years as an elementary teacher and ran a photography business before joining New Life in 2019. Saved as a young girl, her faith was solidified through youth ministry. Marriage and parenting have continued to draw her close to Jesus, as He's guided her family through life's challenges, and she's learned to depend on His faithfulness in new ways along the way.

As Director of Operations, Stacey supports the behind the scenes side of ministry: software, website, communications, processes, technology, and troubleshooting.

Stacey is married to Ken, and they have four adult kids: Kayley, Bryce, Chelsey, and Brady. As their nest empties, she enjoys staying active through walking and biking, reading (or listening to) a good book, and is always up for learning something new.

Mandi Downs has served at New Life for 21 years, coming to MVNU pursuing a call to ministry and eventually joining staff. She decided to follow Jesus as a child, and it wasn't until New Life that God confirmed her specific calling to kids and families.

Mandi partners with families and the Kid Life team on services, events, and discipleship. The most rewarding parts of her role are watching kids grow in faith and now serving alongside adults on her team who she once pastored as kids.

Mandi is married to Ryan, and they have a son, Oliver. She enjoys reading, crafting, puzzles, games, and time on the water, and loves family trips to Disney.

Her favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, a reminder she can trust God no matter what.

Stewart Oswalt has served at New Life since 2021, drawn by the chance to serve the Mount Vernon community that helped bring him into God's Kingdom. Knowing Christ as Lord, he seeks for Jesus to permeate every area of his life and has committed himself to helping others know Him too.

Stewart's work centers on creating opportunities for people to be with and become like Jesus, locking arms with them to help them journey deeper into God's Kingdom.

Stewart and his wife love spending time with their kids. He enjoys marathons, triathlons, national parks, and reading.

His life verse is John 15, a reminder to stay rooted in the ways of Jesus.

Evan Hodkinson is joining New Life Church as the High School and Young Adult Pastor. He grew up in Dalton, Ohio, and studied biology on the pre-med track at Mount Vernon Nazarene University before felt the Holy Spirit leading him into ministry instead.

Evan believes our relationship with Christ should transform us completely, a truth a college mentor instilled in him during his own formative high school and college years, which is part of what draws him to working with students that age.

Evan will mentor high school students and young adults, helping New Life be a safe place for them to grow in community and faith. He's an avid runner who trains for marathons and coaches MVNU cross country, and enjoys board game nights, especially Catan.

His favorite chapter is Isaiah 40, which captures the greatness of God, who is still for each of us individually.

Kalysta Wiles has served at New Life since May 2024, after falling in love with Kid Life during college at MVNU. She felt God's call to children's ministry during her freshman year, a call that only grew clearer through her years serving here.

Kalysta connects with kids through All Out Sports, Bus Ministry, and Lifewise, teaching them about Jesus along the way. The most rewarding part of her work is seeing God move in kids' lives across each ministry area.

Outside of work, she enjoys baking, walks or disc golf with her husband Bryce, and coffee.

Her favorite verse is Isaiah 40:8, a reminder to lean on God's Word.

Ryan Farr has led sports ministry at New Life Church for around 8 years through All Out Sports. He grew up in northeast Ohio investing in sports, leadership, and ministry, and has seen God use everyday relationships to impact lives for His Kingdom. His faith has deepened over the years as he's learned to trust Christ in action, not just in word.

Ryan oversees All Out Sports programs, coaches and develops leaders, and builds relationships with families through sports. The most rewarding part of his work is seeing life change happen through relationships, as sports open the door for people to take steps toward Jesus.

Ryan is married to Rachel, and they have three boys: Colton, Mason, and Easton. He loves family day trips, the pool, and watching his boys play sports.

His life verse is Colossians 3:23, a reminder to work heartily, as for the Lord.

Beth Neighbarger has been part of New Life since 2014 and joined staff in 2019 as Kid Life Director. She and her husband Paul also own Southside Diner, and working at New Life has given her a flexible schedule to be home with her kids. Beth grew up in the church as a pastor's kid, and her role started with a simple invitation from Pastor Mandi.

Beth serves as Pastor Mandi's right hand in Kid Life, handling service planning, events, teaching, and team connection. She loves watching kids remember what they've learned and grow in their faith.

Beth and Paul have four kids: Joy, Grace, Hope, and James. Outside of work, she enjoys the restaurant, family games, movies, and bonfires.

Her favorite verse is Psalm 46:10, a reminder that God is in control, not her.

Jana Yost has worked at New Life Church since 2022, after attending since 2010, drawn by the children's programming and the style of music and services. Her faith is her steady foundation, keeping her grounded through life and family.

As Office Manager, Jana loves the people she works with and the variety of the role. She also loves having an inside view of everything happening at New Life, so she never misses out on something her family wants to be part of.

Jana is married to Dan, and they have three children: Caleb, Austin, and Sadie. Outside of work, she enjoys family time, pizza, games, movies, and being outdoors.

Her favorite verse is Romans 8:31, a reminder that our need for Jesus never changes.

Rachel Nicholas joined the New Life staff in April 2026, moving back to Ohio after 22 years in Michigan following a clear call to a vocational and ministry change. She's followed Jesus since she was a little girl, and He's guided her through both daily decisions and major life changes.

As Ministries Admin, Rachel supports the High School Life, Middle School Life, Kid Life, and Connections pastors with daily tasks and communication, so they can focus on building relationships and discipling students and families.

Rachel and her husband Jon met at MVNU and have been married 25 years. They have four kids: Halle, Lilla, Eli, and Luca. She enjoys her kids' activities, traveling to their games, and being outdoors.