Who We Are
New Life is a non-denominational Christian church. We currently meet at 15 campuses in and around the city of Chicago (see map). Close to 4500 people worship at one of our 27 weekend worship services each Sunday. We are passionate about helping people reconnect with God and seeing lives transformed. On Sundays, we meet for worship and teaching in larger gatherings. During the week, we meet in small groups in homes or in other meeting places.

In the essentials we need unity, in the non-essentials we need freedom; but in all things we need love. Rupertus Meldenius

Our Faith Statement is intended to lay a foundation for belief and unity. There will always be secondary doctrines that Christians disagree upon, but these core beliefs are non-negotiable for those that embrace classic Christianity.
Vision
New Life’s big vision is to reach and gather 1% of the city of Chicago (30,000 people) in Jesus’ name. We do that by planting life-giving congregations of different sizes and cultures all over Chicagoland.

At New Life Melrose Park we are building a community of faith where people are reconnecting with God, restoring marriages, rebuilding families, breaking addictions, healing wounds, becoming whole and discovering their God given potential and destiny.

We envision owning a larger facility that will serve to meet the social, educational and physical needs of this community. That is why over 2 years ago we started a “Building to Bless Fund”. Our hearts desire is to build the kingdom of God by serving the people of our community.
The Team
John Palmieri
Senior Pastor

Senior Pastor John Palmieri made a decision to follow Christ at the age of seventeen and immediately knew that God was calling him into ministry. He studied and graduated from the Moody Bible Institute (‘85) and in 2006 he completed his masters degree in Spiritual Formation at the Moody’ Graduate School. Over the last twenty years, John has served in various ministry leadership positions, including the pastorate, missions, church planting, live-in discipleship & job training, youth ministry and counseling. He and his wife Chris have three children, Caleb, Hannah and Abbey, and together they are committed to fulfilling God’s purposes in their generation and The Great Commission. You can e-mail Pastor John at johnp@newlifechicago.org.


Joshua Holec
Associate Pastor

Associate Pastor Joshua Holec graduated from New Life’s internship in 1999 and there began the first of five global journeys spreading the gospel. Joshua was commissioned out to New Life Melrose at its inception in Fall ‘01 and began developing and leading the worship ministry and youth ministry here. In 2005, he graduated from Moody with a major in Pastoral Studies. He now serves as the associate pastor and oversees various ministries within the church. He is a gifted musician, speaker, and leader who does occasional preaching, teaching and counseling. He and his wife Nancy (Moody grad ‘07) have a passion for unlocking the untapped potential in others to live all out for Jesus Christ. You can e-mail them at joshuah@newlifechicago.org or nancyh@newlifechicago.org.


Joe Kovarik
Chaplain

Chaplain Joe Kovarik was born and raised in Berwyn. At the age of 21, he spent two years in the US Army serving in Europe. In 1971, Joe decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and became a firefighter for the Village of Oak Brook. Joe retired in 2000 and is now the Fire Department Chaplain for Oak Brook. In Spring 2005, New Life ordained Joe as the first New Life Chaplain. Joe and his wife Paula head up the assimilation ministry that includes visitation, mentoring and encouraging people to use their talents for God’s kingdom. They also head up the Guest Services ministry which includes greeters, ushers, parking attendants and the Welcome Center. You can e-mail Chaplain Joe at jpkovarik@comcast.net.
 
Copyright 2008 New Life Community Church