Rev. Leslie X. Sanders grew up on the south side of Chicago and graduated from Chicago State University in 2005 with a B.A. in Communication, Media Arts, and Theater. He received his Master of Divinity from North Park Theological Seminary in 2013. He will graduate with his Doctor of Ministry Degree in May 2024.
With over 20 years of ministry experience, Leslie has a heart for equipping disciples and seeing them mature in their faith. He desires to see both churches and communities revitalized by the transformational power of the gospel message. That desire has led Rev. Sanders to serve the church in several roles. Beginning ministry in 2002, Leslie has served as a Church Administrator, Youth Pastor, Children’s Pastor, and Executive Pastor. Before coming to New Com, Rev. Sanders was the Lead Pastor of Naperville Covenant Church in Naperville, IL.
The Evangelical Covenant Church ordained Rev. Sanders in June 2016, and he has served the denomination in several capacities. Leslie married his wife Brandi in August of 2011. They have three daughters Sarabi, Rhyan, and Kiah. The Sanders family enjoys eating, traveling, singing, and serving Christ together.
Email Pastor X: pastorx@thenewcom.com
Our ministry directors are called, trained, gifted, and equipped to lead and minister to our community. Our leaders embody the priorities and mission of the church and are valued for their commitment to Christ and their discipleship to others.
Carlton Coleman hails from Rockford, IL – home of Cheap Trick and the Rockford Peaches. He has a heart for ministry and a passion to lead God’s people into the Lord’s presence through sincere worship and praise. Over the past 20+ years, Carlton has served in many Worship Ministry capacities from Worship Leader to Minister of Music. He’s also had the privilege of sharing the stage with artists such as Fred Hammond, PFR, and DC Talk. A former Judson (University) College Alum, Carlton serves as a Worship Leader and keyboardist for New Community.
Email Carlton: Carlton@thenewcom.com
Jessica Renteria is from Sycamore, IL, where she lived with her parents and younger brother until she went to college at North Park University. During her undergrad, Jessica doubled majored in Youth Ministry and Biblical-Theological Studies. Throughout her undergrad, she served and led middle schoolers and high schoolers in three different ministries. Currently, Jessica is pursuing her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. It was during these opportunities that Jessica felt a strong calling and passion in serving and leading youth. As a result, Jessica prayed for God to open an opportunity to serve and lead youth in the Chicago, IL, area. As the Director of Youth Ministries at NewCom, Jessica desires to lead youth to grow deeper in their relationship with God and to participate in God’s work in our world. When Jessica is not working at NewCom, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, going to coffee shops, and working out.
Email Jessica: Jessica@thenewcom.com
Tim White comes from Waukegan, IL, where he currently resides with his amazing wife and four children. His passion is to equip God’s people to live as God’s people, to become fully mature in the knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). Tim has been a part of New Community since April of 2009, serving in various ministry capacities over the years. He received his M.A. in Christian Formation from North Park Theological Seminary. As Care Minister, Tim serves the church through preaching, teaching, pastoral care and counseling, and premarital counseling.
Email Tim: tim@thenewcom.com
The Leadership Team is a group of lay leaders who oversee church membership, finances, and staff-related matters. The membership of New Community elects the Leadership Team to serve as representatives of the congregation in overseeing the spiritual welfare and business affairs of the church in collaboration with the Lead Pastor. Each Leadership Team member serves a minimum of two years, and is available to discuss issues that pertain to church business matters. To contact one of our Leadership Team members, please email LeadershipTeam@thenewcom.com.
Current Leadership Team Members
We have reserved parking on W. Logan Blvd, designated with orange cones between N. Francisco Ave. and Sacramento Ave. Parking is also available on W. Schubert Ave., Sacramento Ave. and W. Diversey Ave. within approximately 2 blocks of our church.
