New Covenant Church Staff
Carl Buffington, Senior Pastor
My ministry at New Covenant began in 1993. Barbara, my wife, and our 3 children moved here from Evergreen, CO, high and dry to low and wet, quite a change. I was brought up in the northeast, a suburb of New York, and Barbara grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia.
We met while I was attending The Philadelphia Divinity School in West Philadelphia where I received an M.Div. degree in 1972, and I was ordained a deacon and priest in the same year. I went to seminary directly from college. I earned an A.B. degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. For 5 years of my ministry I was a traveling evangelist, sharing the story of our Lord and his presence and power in a different church every weekend.
What I have always loved about New Covenant is the blending of the charismatic, the evangelical, and the sacramental aspects of the Faith. And what still gets me up in the morning is seeing people change, seeing people encounter the living Lord. I just love to see hearts changed by the Holy Spirit.
Education:
A.B. from the College of William & Mary 1969
M. Divinity from the Philadelphia Divinity School 1972
Ordination:
Ordained in the Diocese of CT – Deacon and Priest 1972
Jon Holland, Pastor of New Covenant Oviedo
Jon@new-covenant-church.com
Having joined New Covenant's staff in January 2005, I am now the pastor of New Covenant's daughter church in Oviedo. My passion in ministry is to see the kingdom of God taught and experienced by God's people. My wife Jenni and I were married in 1999, and we have two children, Ethan and Lily. I am a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary and in the Anglican Mission deacon in August 2004 and priest in May 2005.
Cathy and I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church, went to high school together, and later were married in 1966.
We really came to faith in the Catholic Charismatic movement in the 1970’s and served in a number of capacities in non-denominational churches, including three church plants, through 2004.
I was ordained as a pastor for a non-denominational church in 1985 and later served as an elder for an inner city church in Washington, DC for about fifteen years. Concurrently, my life experiences included serving 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 20 years in the property management business retiring as a vice president.
We were drawn to the Anglican Mission in the Americas because of our conviction that it is missional, founded on Biblical principals, and linked to the Anglican Communion worldwide.
We have been married 42 years and have three grown children, son and two daughters, living in Washington, DC.
Education:
BGS, George Washington University
MA, Webster University
MMAS, Command and General Staff College
MDiv., Reformed Theological Seminary
Ordination:
Deacon and Priest 2006
Sheryl Shaw, Youth and Missions Pastor
Sheryl@new-covenant-church.com
I have been on staff at New Covenant for seventeen years and I am a graduate of Evangel University. I am married to Thom Shaw who is also a vital part of the ministry.
I have worked with youth for over nineteen years and still love it! As a youth group, our desire is to know Christ and to make Him known. All that we do centers around this commitment.
My first Missions experience was when I was twenty years old and God gave me a passion for missions that has continued to grow. Since I have a heart for outreach and discipleship, my work with missions and youth flows together well.
I have had the privilege of seeing God do miracles both in and through our mission teams from the church. It is my desire that we would learn to live a missionary lifestyle so that we do not miss out on opportunities in our own backyards. I do teaching and training in both youth ministry and missions on the local and national levels.
David Mander, Worship and Music Pastor
David@new-covenant-church.com
I love all styles of music available to the church, and try to utilize a wide variety of worship songs as a means to bring people into the presence of the Living God. Our band maintains a contemporary sound and feel, but our music ranges from new to the traditional. A typical Sunday Service includes 20-40 minutes of music. I am a big fan of Chris Tomlin and Hillsongs, but I also love gospel, funk, and the hymnal. I stay current with the newest worship music, constantly adding songs from many resources.
I have been blessed with the experience to lead worship and teach at the International, National, and local levels. Music Theory and ethnomusicology interest me the most in formal training applications. I also enjoy audio/video technology and offer assistance to many churches starting with or improving their technology or sound. I am primarily a guitarist, a fan and student of classical guitar although I also have years of experience playing pop and rock in various club bands. I dabble in many instruments; however, I prefer to lead from guitar, with keyboard a back-up for broken strings.
I have been at New Covenant for 13 years. I have 3 daughters; Alyssa, Caralyn and Michelle. My daughter Alyssa is a Senior at Clemson University in South Carolina, Caralyn is a Freshman at University of Central Florida, and Michelle is in 11th grade at Master's Academy.
Debbie Schaffer, Barbara Buffington and Desiree Hentz - Children's Ministry
info@new-covenant-church.com
Barb Buffington, Desiree Hentz and Debbie Schaffer form the Children’s Ministry team. They feel blessed to be able to share their gifts in this ministry. They all have a love and a heart for children and consider it a privilege to be able to share God’s love with our youngest members.
Karen Staton, Administrator
karen@new-covenant-church.com
I have been attending New Covenant Church for about 11 years. I taught the 5 and 6th grade Sunday School for 2 years, and was the Acolyte Warden for 8 years. I have 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, who are all grown with their own families with the exception of the youngest daughter who is a Junior at the University of Florida in Gainesville. I am married to a wonderful husband, Jay, who has 2 children. I enjoy working as the Administrator more than any other job I have ever had. I feel there are many ministry opportunities, and I pray daily for instances to share the love of Jesus with others.
Cindy Niemiec, Communications
cindy@new-covenant-church.com
I have worshipped at New Covenant since 1994. In the Communications Position, I provide administrative support and participate in our welcome and assimilation ministries. My greatest joy working at New Covenant is listening to people tell their stories. I am married and have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
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