Who We Are
New Life is a non-denominational Christian Church. We are one Church that currently meets at 14 campuses in and around the City of Chicago (see map). Close to 4000 people worship at one of our 23 weekend worship services each Sunday. In October of 2007, New Life Oak Forest was launched.

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 other meeting places. We have specific programs that meet for children, teens, 20’s, and adults.
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 the Chicagoland.   

The vision, the dream, and the pursuit of New Life Oak Forest is that God would work through our church community to bring Jesus to our local community. We envision the individuals of our church taking responsibility for bringing Jesus’ life-giving message of hope to the individuals who live in Chicago’s south suburbs.

As we envision, dream, and pursue God together in the South Suburbs we desperately pray that this area is different because of God working through us and honoring our obedience & faithfulness. Our biggest vision is that He blows away our imaginations with what He is doing, as He stretches us and expands our area of impact.
The Team
Al Garcia
Pastor

Al Garcia has been a Christian for the last 20 yrs. Al was the pioneering pastor of New Life South which served the Oak Lawn Community for 10 years, recently relocating as New Life Oak Forest in 2007. He has a degree in Christian Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor with the National Christian Counselors Association. He is also a professional life coach: a Certified Life Coach with the Institute for Life Coach Training, a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation, and a Certified Career Management Coach with the Career Masters Institute. Al has devoted his entire Christian life to helping people in all areas of their lives.



Grace Garcia
Director of Operations

Grace was born in southern Italy and raised in the Midway area of Chicago. She attended Montay College for Drug and Alcohol Addictions Counseling. Grace has been an active member of New Life since it was born, serving on staff as Director of Children Ministry at NL for 3 years while it was meeting at IIT. She is also the proud mother of 5 grown children and 10 grandchildren. She is an entrepreneur who for the last 7 years has owned her own businesses.  Currently Grace serves as Director of Operations and Event coordinator for New Life Oak Forest. She also overseeing the Children Ministry Leaders, assists with the Celebrate Recovery Program, and facilitates a woman’s codependency recovery group. Grace loves serving God in just about any ministry, side by side with her husband.


Leticia Campos
Administrative Assistant

Leticia was born in Guadalajara Mexico but grew up in Chicago. It's been almost 19 years since she was invited to attend New Life and she is constantly amazed at what God has done and continues to do since then. She graduated from Loyola University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. Her past careers include: Bank Teller, Legal Assistant, Executive Assistant to CEO of an Investment Company, Teacher, and Assistant School Director. Lety strongly believes those "careers" were just classes to equip her for her role in the ministry now. Today she is serving God alongside her husband and three children and believes she is truly living Gods purposes for her and her family.


Hector Campos
Deacon

Hector grew up in Chicago. He was introduced to New Life in the summer of 1989 through a friend and his life was changed forever. Hector is married to his wife Leticia of 14 years and they have 3 beautiful children: Abigail, Sofia, and Andrew. Together they serve at New Life Oak Forest with the most wonderful people in the world. Hector is convinced that God has just begun to turn the world upside down in the South West Suburbs of Chicago!


Dave DeBoer
Teen Director

Dave was drawn to New Life in the fall of 2002 to be apart of New Life's one year internship called "Servant Year." From 2004 to 2006 he worked as the Fundraising Logsitics Coordinator for the Servant Year. As a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan he and his wife Casandra and daughter Jenielle recently moved to Chicago in the summer of 2007 where they enjoy living in community sharing a house with their life long friends and fellow workers for the LORD, Andrew and Allison Bierlein. Dave's passion is for the youth of this generation be touched by God though the lives of ordinary Christians living there lives 100% sold out to Jesus!


Lupe Garcia
Worship Leader

Lupe’ grew up on the south side of Chicago in the Marquette Park area.  He started playing the guitar at age 5 and began playing clubs by age 12.  After wasting many years living the typical life style of a rock musician he accepted the Lord and God’s Amazing Grace changed his life and calling. Since then Lupe’ has served as a Worship Pastor, Assistant Pastor, and Youth Pastor and enjoys reaching out to others for the Kingdom.  His passion and focus are to see hearts touched by the Holy Spirit through worship.   Lupe, along with his lovely wife Mary and two children, Kelly Rose and Daniel are currently serving the New Life Oak Forest campus.  


Artie Sul
Deacon

Artie Sul has been attending New Life for the past 10 years. After receiving an invitation from his uncle to attend a New Life service, Artie accepted a personal relationship with Jesus and has never looked back. He has been faithfully serving the Lord at New Life in different capacities such as the worship team, mobile ministry, benevolence team as well as leading the Fusion Marriage home group with his wife Peaches. Recently they have been recognized by Pastor Al and the New Life body as part of the leadership team. Artie and Peaches are currently leading the Kleaning for the King ministry at New Life Oak Forest.


Peaches Arias-Sul
Wedding Coordinator

Peaches is a native of Chicago and has been residing on the southwest side for the last 40 years. She started attending New Life Community Church in 1988. She has cheerfully and faithfully served in over 10 different ministries throughout her 20 years at New Life. Although all of these ministries have held a place in her heart, she is most passionate about being part of the worship team at New Life Oak Forest for the past 10 years. Peaches and her husband Artie recently stepped up to the call God had on their lives and became part of New Life Oak Forest leadership team. As she anticipates what God wants to do in the southern suburbs of Chicago, she looks forward to serving the people there in whatever way God leads her and her husband.


 
Copyright 2008 New Life Community Church