staff

John Julien

Senior Pastor

Born and raised a country boy in California. Happily married to Shelly and living in Philadelphia since 1974, now a contented urban guy. Father of four sons: Tim, Jeff, Jeremy (all adults working and living on their own), and Chris (high school student still living at home). Graduate of Stanford University (B.A.) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Church Planter (1983) and now Senior Pastor of New Life Philly. Polio survivor and avid snorkeler. Still amazed by grace after all these years! Contact Pastor John

Súler Acosta

Associate Pastor

Súler serves as a campus minister for the Coalition for Christian Outreach, heads up New Life’s Young Adult Ministry “The Trend”, and serves as the church administrator and Session Moderator. Married to his best friend, Heather Noelle Ramsay-Acosta, he is the honored father of Timothy (Teo) Súler Jay Acosta. The son of Colombian-born Noé Acosta and Puerto-rican Alice Reyes, Súler grew up, was educated, and still lives in the same city—Philadelphia. He is learning to live every day knowing the freedom that comes from knowing that “I belong, in body and soul, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ”. He is a self-consciously confessional Christian. Contact Suler

Lance Cobb

Director of Family Ministries
—Children & Youth
Currently serving as Director of Family Ministries at New Life, he has a heart for youth and had served in youth ministry since 1989. He graduated from Gordon College with a BA in Youth Ministry and in Biblical Studies. He is currently pursuing movie work in LA and would love to take flying lessons in a Cessna 238. His hobbies include setting off fireworks during the midday, fishing in pay lakes and running so fast it looks like he is standing still. He would love to be an actual Youth Pastor someday and hopes to pass favorably in the LAMP program within the next 7 years. His ministry tour has included such exotic places as Seattle, Knoxville, South Africa, Paris and Olney. He has 3 children, Tadan, Sydney & Makenzie and a beautiful wife who helps him with his homework. This is his 6th year at New Life Church (Can you say Sabbatical?). He finds it to be a place full of love, joy and kindness and full of the Holy Spirit. He favorite authors include Gospel Light, Brian Wood and Toby Mac. His disposition is one that is there. His goals for the next 10 years is to become friends with Michael W. Smith and be on stage at Creation 2015. He would also like to create a hover craft and dual Darth Vader. Contact Lance today!

Sue Sponsler

Assistant in Discipleship

Sue Sponsler is a native Philadelphian. She and her husband Doug have two sons, Doug and Chris, and have been at New Life since 1989. Sue has been on staff at New Life since 2001 and is responsible for discipleship and assimilation. Contact Sue

Cheryl Lawrence

Administrative Assistant

Hired 11/06 as Administrative Assistant. Cheryl was raised in Quakertown, but has truly become a Philadelphian since moving here in 1992. She and her husband, Perry, live in Port Richmond with their sons Nick and Raheam. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl! She loves to camp, hike, and hang out at the park with her family. They have been ministering to youth in their neighborhood for many years and are now opening up their home to teenage boys in foster care. Contact Cheryl

Gwen Doggett

Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Pam Nothacker

Children’s Ministry Coordinator

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