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Our Team

Our Deacons

Deacons are men and women of a specific character (1 Timothy 3:8-13) who are installed to spot and meet tangible needs, protect and promote unity in the church, and serve and support the ministry of the elders.

  1. Student Ministries
    Logan & Adalyn Becker

    Logan is from Arkadelphia, and Adalyn is from Nashville, Arkansas. Logan was saved in high school, while Adalyn was saved during her freshman year of college. They met during their sophomore year at Southern Arkansas University and have been married since July 2023. After getting married, they both sought a church home and were graciously guided by the Lord to New Life Community Church. After attending NLCC together, they felt a warm welcome and appreciated how seriously the church applies a biblical model.

    Hope for NLCC: "Our hope for NLCC is that the Lord continues to use the people of this church to be the light in the darkness of this city. I hope that the church continues to commit to a life that glorifies God by making disciples who grow in their faith in Jesus and love for one another."

  2. Finance Team
    Larry & Sandi Burns

    Larry and Sandi were married in 1989 and have called Magnolia home for more than 35 years. Larry was born in Chicago, IL and was saved and baptized in 1977 while living in Tennessee. Sandi was born in Owensboro, KY and saved and baptized at 16. Together they have a large, blended family, with 4 adopted children from Larry's first marriage, 2 children from Sandi's first marriage and 2 children together. They have 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. The couple were first drawn to NLCC after their son and daughter-in-law began attending and joined in 2016.

    Hope for NLCC: "Our hope is that NLCC continues our support and love for our fellow believers and outreach to the community through growing disciples, sending the gospel, prayer, and financial support."

  3. Production & Design
    Joshua & Hannah Burns

    Josh, a Magnolia native, and Hannah from Texarkana, AR, met at SAU and were married in 2012. They were both saved at a young age, and began attending NLCC in the summer of 2014. They have two daughters, Lincoln and Addison. Josh and Hannah love NLCC’s dedication to gospel-centered community and solid biblical teaching.

    Hope for NLCC: "Our hope is that we would continue to proclaim The Gospel, that God's Word would be faithfully preached, and that we would see people's lives saved and their faith increased."

  4. Hospitality Team
    Cory & Christie Cheatham

    Cory and Christie have been a part of the NLCC family from its beginnings as Waterbrook. Cory is from Stamps and Christie is from Victoria, Texas. They were married in December 1999, and saved shortly after in November of 2000. The Cheathams have two children, Zac and Annabel. In joining NLCC, they desired a church family that was truly welcoming and loving towards all people, no matter where they are at in life, who are in need of a relationship with Jesus.

    Hope for NLCC: "That we do help produce believers who grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ who will participate in spreading The Gospel."

  5. Ushers & Greeters Team
    Allen Dudley

    Allen is originally from Blossom, Texas, but came to Magnolia in 2015 to attend SAU and has called it home since graduating. He came to truly know Jesus Christ and began following Him in the spring of 2021. That summer, Allen began attending NLCC, was later baptized, and became a member. During that time, Allen met Sarah, and they were married in February 2023. By God's grace and mercy, they are expecting their first child to be born in May 2025, a daughter, Susanna Jo. Allen chose to come to NLCC because he had many friends who already attended and knew Kyle and Jasper from playing disc golf at the college. Their dependence upon the Word of God and faithfulness was awe-inspiring for him to see as a new convert and believer.

    Hope for NLCC: "I hope that God's Kingdom will be furthered through faithfully preaching and teaching His Word, stewarding the resources He graciously grants us, and spurring one another on to good works."

  6. Building Team
    Carl Jones

    Carl was born in Los Angeles, California, and moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas at age 9. He made his home in Magnolia in 1983 to work for Dow Chemical and has called Magnolia home ever since. He was raised in the Church of Christ until he left at 17. He struggled with God until age 27 when his eyes of understanding were finally opened by God’s grace. He married Betsy in 2012 and together they have 7 children and 21 grandchildren. NLCC has a special place in his heart, having attended various churches in Magnolia, he has always hoped for a church that emphasizes sound doctrine and loving people as Christ commands.

    Hope for NLCC: "That we continue to focus on people and developing disciples for Christ. That we as a body continue to build one another up in Christ and the work that we do continues to glorfiy Christ."

  7. Worship Team
    Patricia Jones

    Patricia, originally from the Magnolia area, was graciously saved by the Lord when she was 14 years old. She is happily married to Kyle, lead pastor of NLCC. God has blessed them with four beautiful children (Welles, Bear, Winnie, and Haddon). Helping with worship is one of Patricia’s greatest passions. She is thankful to be able to serve at NLCC, alongside their wonderful church family.

    Hope for NLCC: "My hope is for the gospel to continue impacting every heart that enters NLCC. Also that we will grow in our faith and glorify God in everything that we do."

  8. Missions Team
    Joesph & Mahalia Lonigro

    Joe and Mahalia are both Magnolia transplants. Joe hails from San Antonio, Texas and Mahalia is from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Lonigros have similar testimonies, both of them growing up in church and Christian homes, but ended up guided by their own directions and desires. It wasn’t until their time in college that their faith became more personal and they each began to truly follow Jesus. The genuine and welcoming people were the initial pull to NLCC for Joe and Mahalia. After that, they began to see real growth in themselves and everyone around them from the sermons, the worship, and the home groups, and they were hooked. The Lonigros have twins Judah and Selah, and Fisher.

    Hope for NLCC: "We hope to see God continue to move through this church body by growing its people and equipping them to disciple others in the community and around the world."

Support Staff

Our support staff includes men and women who help meet the physical needs of the organization, whether they be sanitary, administrative, or building and grounds.

  1. Custodians
    Mike & Cindy Bradshaw

    Mike is from Magnolia and Cindy is from Hope, AR. They have both considered Magnolia their hometown since 1994 when they were married. They have both attended church since they were children. Mike was saved when he was 13 years old and, Cindy was saved when she was 16 years old. They have 3 grown children & are proud grandparents to 2 grandchildren. They have visited NLCC many times through the years and in 2022 made the decision to call it home. The solid gospel teaching by the elders and the love and care shown by the family of NLCC has encouraged & made them feel welcome and loved.

    Hope for NLCC: "We hope for NLCC to continue sharing with the community and beyond the love of God and His salvation. Also, for us as a church family to continue drawing closer to God and each other daily."

  2. Facilities Manager
    Paul Raburn

    Paul is from Arcadia, Louisiana and was saved at 13 years old. He came to NLCC with his wife after she found the church.

    Hope for NLCC: "My hope for New Life Community Church is to see us as a church family continue to grow in faith, showing compassion for others as we grow, giving God all the glory."