Bishop Shawn & Holly Baker

Lead Pastor

Shawn Baker is a graduate from Lincoln Memorial University and has been engaged in full-time ministry for the past 23 years. Shawn earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from LMU’s DeBusk School of Business. He and his wife, Holly, are both natives of Cincinnati, Ohio, and have ministered throughout the United States and abroad.

Shawn is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for administration. Shawn and Holly are actively engaged in full-time ministry, from itinerate ministry to consulting work in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Currently, Bishop Baker’s ministry PSB Ministries’ televised broadcast: Kingdom Outlook, is being aired in over 185 nations around the world. The Baker’s stay on the go for the Kingdom of God. Shawn and Holly initially served as Planting Pastors of the Herzliya Congregation in Herzliya, Israel. Furthermore, Pastor Shawn serves as the Executive Director of the Church of God’s Israel Initiative, representing the international community of believers in Israel. Learn more at: pastorshawnbaker.com or on Facebook @BishopShawnBaker.

Shirley Watterud

Administrative Assistant to the Lead Pastor

Liz Nieves

Assistant Pastor of Outreach & Lay Ministry

Liz is an active member of the Church of God Hispanic Ministries “Migration Crisis Initiative” a national initiative that aims to equip the Hispanic COG Pastors and leaders in responding to the needs of the Immigrant communities in the U.S.

Liz and Jose have been married for 33 years. They have 4 adult children. They are passionate about serving the Immigrant/multicultural communities and reaching them with the gospel of Jesus.

John Skiles

Niceville Campus Pastor

John brings 26 years of full-time ministerial experience to the New Life team. John received his formal education at Messenger Bible College, Joplin, MO, and Dallas TX with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ministerial and Biblical studies in 1996. John has served in many pastoral and leadership roles as a Worship Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Lead Pastor. He is the father of two children, Zetta (11) & Zane (8). John received his ordination status as a minister in 1998.

Chesney Middleton

Childrens Pastor

Rhonda Watts

Niceville Childrens Pastor

Rhonda was born in the suburbs of Chicago and raised in a family very active in ministry with the Assemblies of God and Church of God denominations. She brings over 20 years of experience serving in several children’s ministries to the New Life Kids Ministry. As a student at Liberty University, she studied theology, psychology, and childhood development, and is still pursuing a degree in Christian counseling. Rhonda also served at Gateway Academy and several other Christian academies as a physical education instructor.

Rhonda holds a deep conviction to provide Children with more than entertainment. Her vision for New Life Kids is to provide an atmosphere where kids can have true, life-changing encounters with God. Through her own life’s experiences, and testimony, she believes it is critical for kids at an early age to know who they are in Christ and find their confidence and purpose in Him.

Rhonda and Cole were married in the Florida the panhandle in 2012. The military brought Cole to Kansas where they lived for seven years and had two wonderful boys, Jonathan (8), and Luke (6). The Lord brought them back to the panhandle, and they have been attending New Life since 2019. They enjoy homesteading, and are a homeschooling family, and are helping lead and grow our homeschool coop here at New Life Church.

Dawsyn Vilardo

Nursery & PreK Pastor

Dawsyn Vilardo was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is currently working on her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a focus on special needs children. Dawsyn graduated from Miami Valley Christian Academy, where she spent three class periods a day volunteering at the local public elementary school in their special education classrooms.  Throughout high school, Dawsyn worked with Pastors Shawn and Holly Baker serving in the Nursery and Pre-school classes at their church. Dawsyn has a heart for mission work and has been blessed to take many international mission trips to countries including Brazil, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Israel, and Kygryzstan –  her favorite being the several trips she has taken to Kyrgyzstan.

Jake Baker

Student Pastor

While from the Midwest, Jake and Crystal Baker have served in various states as Children’s Pastors, Worship Pastors, and Communication Pastors. Serving in other roles has been a privilege, but their heart has always been student ministry. With 10+ years of full-time student ministry experience, Jake is an ordained minister in the Church of God and is currently serving on the National Youth Leaders Association (NYLA) committee.

Jake and Crystal’s passion for ministry comes from seeing young people saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and growing in their calling. As a minister of the gospel, Jake’s goal is to introduce people to the love and forgiving attributes of Jesus Christ so they might receive him as their Savior. As a Student Pastor, Jake’s goal is to cultivate an atmosphere of worship, biblical teaching, discipleship, and outreach so that students would have a personal desire to see the lost saved.

Jake and Crystal have been married for 10 years and have two beautiful children, Ella and Judah.

Todd Miracle

College & Career Pastor, Groups Ministry

Todd is a graduate of Union Collage in Barbourville Ky. with a bachelor’s degree in Human Performance. He has been in full time ministry for the past 17 years. Todd has served in ministry roles ranging from Children’s Ministry, Jr. Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry to Pastoral Assistant and Care Ministry. He had been serving the last eleven years at Church On The Rock in Berea Ky.
Todds passion is to serve, worship and to teach/ minister the Kingdom of God. He is married to Savannah Miracle. They have three beautiful children Nehemiah, Mia and Nora.

Jenelle Martin

Worship Arts Pastor

Jenelle is a graduate of Valor Christian College (formally World Harvest Bible College), located in Columbus, Ohio where she earned a degree in Music Ministry and obtained her ministry ordination. Jenelle and her husband Doug have sung on National TV for 9 years with World Harvest Church and they shared the platform with numerous national recording artists. In 2016, Jenelle was in the forefront of leading worship when revival broke out in West Virginia. A gathering known as Jesus Is Better, which became a movement and garnered an international audience of 42 nations via livestream and 3,000 souls were won to Christ in 8 weeks. Jenelle’s husband Doug has also served faithfully by her side while utilizing his gifts in music and art. He spent the last season of his life teaching and winning numerous national awards in graphic design and art. He served on the board of directors for the Star Wars franchise and worked for Disney. Both Jenelle and Doug walk in a passion for worship and the arts. Our church is truly gifted with a double anointing in this dynamic couple. Their two beautiful boys Nate and Drew love baseball, football, wrestling, science, music, art, swimming, the beach, attending professional sports events and meeting new people.

Michael Saunders

Director of Music

Reverend Saunders was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He just recently joined the NLC team as Music Director. He served in full-time music ministry for over 20 years. He attended the Settlement School of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for most of his musical training. He also received his training in church music with the Lutheran Church and the Church of God in Christ, International. He previously served as the Director of Music for the West Florida District Assemblies of God Rev. Saunders received his Bible training from the Deliverance Bible Institute and the Southern New England Bible College. He has traveled domestically and internationally conducting workshops on music and worship. He currently attending the Northwest Florida State College working on his Associate of Science Degree in Music Education and Sound & Recording Engineering. His desire is to help raise up musicians in the church.

Savannah Miracle

Assistant Psalmist

Savannah has been a cosmetologist for the past thirteen years. She served in ministry leading worship at Church On The Rock in Berea KY for twelve years. She and her husband Todd Miracle have been in full-time ministry since the beginning of their marriage.
Savannah comes from a lineage of worship leaders and began leading worship when she was in high school in 2008.  Her passion is to express the love of the Father, Jesus Christ through worship and to help equip and understand why we worship.

Joe Middleton

Live Production/IT

Joe Middleton has teamed up with numerous ministries over the last two decades, serving in various administrative capacities and leading in worship training/productions. His focal contributions in media include graphic art, web design, sound reinforcement, videography, and IT systems. Joe’s ongoing mission is to build teams that serve the Lord in excellence, driven by a genuine pursuit for God’s absolute truth to be communicated with great impact both inside and outside the walls of the places we congregate. His wife Chesney said “yes” over twenty-one years ago and has become his tandem partner in ministry. They have two children, Willow and Judah.

Cody Miller

Media Support & Post-Production Video

Mercy Mahopa

Social Media

Kayden Powell

Social Media

Kris Singer

Facilities & Maintenance Manager

Kris was raised on a farm in Southeastern Indiana.  He is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Agriculture.  Kris has been married to his wife Arin since 1997 and they are proud parents of three children. Kris has many years of experience in the Facilities/Property Management field.  He also served under Pastor Shawn and Holly Baker as an elder and eventually the Facility Manager at their Oxford, Ohio church. Kris is beyond excited to be part of the NLC team as Facility Manager, and honored with the responsibility of caring for the Lord’s Embassy in the beautiful Emerald Coast.

Chance Chiasson

Custodial Maintenance

Chance is a 2022 graduate of Freeport High School. He is engaged to Layne Casey, and they will be married in July 2024. There is no small job at the church, and Chance is using his position to help win people to the Kingdom of God. Chance is excited to see what the Lord does in our church and the Emerald Coast!

Todd Scali

CFO/HR

Todd Scali is a graduate from Brenau University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. Todd has been in the financial industry for over 15 years and has advanced his career becoming a top executive in the banking industry. Along with being in the financial industry Todd spent years traveling the country consulting and improving company’s bottom line utilizing his Six Sigma Black Belt Certification through process improvement and quality efforts. Todd has been an active member within his community serving his church through outreaches, volunteering and leadership as well as serving on several City and County Board of Director seats.

Todd was born and raised in California. After High School Todd moved to Georgia where he went to college and lived for 13 years before moving to the Santa Rosa Beach area full time in 2010. Todd met his wife Shanna, who was born and raised in Fort Walton Beach. They are a blended family of 7 children together with 3 boys and 4 girls. Together they own, and Shanna operates, The Upper Room Salon in Santa Rosa beach, a Christ centered hair salon.

Rachel Boyles

Assimilation Director

Rachel is passionate about serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through serving others, by connecting them to the areas of ministry at New Life Church they are called to. She believes every person has a valuable role as the Kingdom Dwelling Body of Christ and is committed to prayerfully assisting the congregation move from the pew to the plow; ultimately bringing in the great harvest of souls. She believes the Lord will equip those He calls, and that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Rachel lives in Destin with her husband and two sons.

Rick & Martine Gray

Elders

Rick and Martine Gray have been married and serving the Lord together for over 40 years. They moved to the Emerald Coast from St. Louis, Mo. where they ministered to the lost and broken in the inner-city under her mother’s ministry for several years. They then served at Life Christian Center as Intercessors and went on to help start and serve in their son and daughter-in-law’s church, Redemption, just outside of St. Louis.

They are intercessors with a heart and passion to see the bride of Christ brought into a passionate and intimate relationship with their Savior, Jesus Christ! With Rick’s support, Martine ministers worldwide through her daily devotions, she shares the love of Christ in 2 devotional groups she originated, Corvette Enthusiasts Daily Devotions and The Secret Place Daily Devotions. She’s the author of INTIMACY IN THE SECRET PLACE/The Passionate Pursuit of the Presence of God.

Together, they have 3 children and 5 beautiful grandchildren.

Kenneth & Melinda “Kay” Gruner

Elders

Kenny and Kay Gruner were married in 1986. They are both native Texans, born and raised in the Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex. They have three daughters and sons-in-love and are devoted to their four beautiful grandchildren. Their entire family moved to the Destin area in 2010. Kenny is an entrepreneur and businessman. His expertise has been in the oil and gas industry along with insurance, and has had several successful car dealerships in Fort Walton Beach called Sonshine Motors, LLC. Kenny and Kay are both ordained ministers affiliated through the American Evangelistic Association. They have served in church leadership for over 35 years holding many different positions throughout their ministry. Kenny served as an associate pastor, worship leader, board member, and as a deacon. Kay has served as a children’s pastor and a women’s minister. Together, they founded and co-founded various ministries throughout the years including Sonshine Schools in Pakistan, India, and Africa, His Hands Extended Ministries, God Loves Kids (International), When We Love Ministries, and Cornerstone Homeless Ministries. They have been very active in pastoral support, deliverance, and intercessory prayer. Kenny and Kay were saved, born again, and set free in 1988 under Pastor David Wilkerson’s ministry. Wilkerson became their spiritual father and their work with him stretched from Teen/World Challenge Headquarters in East Texas to NYC Times Square Church enduring many years until Wilkerson’s passing.

Kenny and Kay seek to help and grow the Kingdom of God as His ambassadors by loving, teaching, and blessing all of Gods people as a deep passion of their hearts. It is the honor of entire lives to serve Pastors Shawn and Holly Baker and the congregation of New Life Church.

Loren & Deb Miller

Elders

Loren and Debbie are both graduates of Christian Life School of Theology in Columbus, Georgia.

Loren is retired from the FAA with over 30 years of combined federal service. Deborah (Deb) has been a nurse since 1979 and always worked as a part time nurse while helping raise their four children. Deb’s last 18 years of nursing were spent ministering and working as a RN with Hospice home care. She has also done lots of stand- up comedy for the past 30 years.

Loren is a native of Southern Ohio and Debbie is a native of Kansas City, Missouri. They met by divine appointment on November 6, 1981, and were married April 9, 1982. They have four adult children: Eric, Jason, Brandie, and Cody … and five grandchildren: Zane, Jaden, Cali, Julian and Beckham.

Loren has served the church as an elder, treasurer and board member. Deb has served in women’s ministry, benevolence, and children’s church … and has been at Loren’s side assisting in his roles. At their former church (in Cincinnati) they led pre-marriage seminars and provided personal coaching to married couples. They also served the body of Christ through a para-church ministry called Marriage Ministries International. MMI was a thirteen-week cell group ministry teaching deep spiritual principles. These teaching cell groups were called Married for Life groups. In 1996, they were appointed Southwest Ohio Area Directors for MMI and for five more years they led the ministry that touched hundreds of couples. Their heart has always been for healthy Godly marriages.

After retiring, they moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Miramar Beach in 2011. They met Pastor Shawn Baker in early 2013 and received lots of deep biblical teaching on the Kingdom of God. After meeting Pastor Shawn, they went on three trips to Israel with him. Beginning in 2013, Pastor Shawn started Zoom teachings with a home group they belonged to called The Kingdom group. The people in this home group ultimately became the first members of New Life Church.

They both still enjoy riding their motorcycles. They reside in Miramar Beach, Florida but love to retreat to their camp (named Zakar) in Ponce De Leon, Florida on weekends. They travel often to Ohio to visit their children and grandchildren and to Costa Rica for more fun.

David & Alba Sweeney

Elders

David and Alba were married in 2008 and raised their blended family of three children in Highlands Ranch, CO. After becoming empty-nesters they decided to make a permanent move to Santa Rosa Beach. They began attending New Life Church immediately after relocating to the Emerald Coast.
David was born and raised in southeastern Iowa with a family background in farming. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Truman State University and recently retired from a 40 year career with leading high tech companies where he led sales and system engineering teams responsible for providing solutions to communications companies throughout North and South America. He has enjoyed serving the community as a competitive youth coach, pouring back into young people as others had poured into him. As an adopted son of God, David has taught Sunday School, participated in the early growth of Bridge of Hope chapter in Colorado, hosted and led adult life groups, facilitated DivorceCare classes and served on the church elder board.
Alba was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where her parents served as missionaries for over 35 years. Her formative years were divided between Brazil and the U.S. until, as an adult, she became established in Denver, CO. Alba worked for many years in a variety of roles in financial/life insurance industry. She then earned her AAS in Interior Design from ACC in Littleton, CO and went on to own a franchise in the home goods industry. Alba is passionate about creativity and has studied art since her teen years, most recently completing the coursework for becoming a certified botanical illustrator. Throughout her life Alba has been active in church ministry and leadership, serving both in children’s and women’s ministries. She also facilitated as a DivorceCare leader, and became a trained Stephen’s Minister through the international organization developed for equipping laity to provide Christ-centered care to people experiencing life difficulties and loss.
Dave and Alba are thankful for God’s mercy and grace and have a heart for service and for being useful vessels wherever there is a need in God’s Kingdom.

Robert & Julie Vilardo

Elders

Robert and Julie Vilardo joined Pastors Shawn and Holly in leadership at Ambassadors’ Pointe Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2013. They served as Elders, Directors of Lay Ministries and led the Missions Committee. Robert and Julie also served in leadership in several of their former churches before joining Pastors Shawn and Holly. Robert has served on several worship teams throughout his adult life while Julie was actively involved for many years on mission committees, even serving as treasurer at one point. The Vilardos’ have served as leaders on many short-term mission trips over the past 16 years both regionally and internationally. These travels have taken them to be His Hands and Feet all over the world, from inner-City Cincinnati to Kyrgyzstan to Brazil to Thailand and more. Julie is a graduate of Ohio State Dental School and has served in the profession for over 25 years. Robert has been in education for over 30 years as an administrator, teacher, and coach. Married for 28 years, Robert and Julie have 5 children; 3 biological (Mason, Bransen and Dawsyn) and 2 adopted internationally (Laura from Kazakhstan and Logan from Ukraine). Julie and Robert recently started Two Camps Rest, a non-profit organization to help provide a time of respite for caregiving families.