Rev. Dr. Leslie X. Sanders grew up on the south side of Chicago and graduated from Chicago State University in 2005 with a BA in Communication, Media Arts, and Theater. He received his Master of Divinity from North Park Theological Seminary in 2013. Most recently, he completed his Doctor of Ministry Degree at North Park Theological Seminary in May of 2024.
With over 20 years of ministry experience, Dr. Sanders 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, Dr. Sanders has served as a Church Administrator, Youth Pastor, Children’s Pastor, and Executive Pastor. After spending five years as the Lead Pastor of Naperville Evangelical Covenant Church, Dr. Sanders accepted the call to serve as the Lead Pastor of New Community Covenant Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church in Chicago’s Logan Square Neighborhood.
The Evangelical Covenant Church ordained Dr. Sanders in June 2016, and he has served the denomination in several capacities. Dr. Sanders married his wife Brandi in August 2011, and they are headed into their 14th year of marriage. They have three daughters, Sarabi, 18, Rhyan, 6, and Kiah, 11 months. 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 Gonzalez graduated with a bachelor in Youth Ministry and Biblical-Theological Studies from North Park University in May 2020. Jessica will graduate with her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in May 2025.
Throughout her life, Jessica has served in multiple ministry settings, caring for and nurturing the emotional and spiritual well-being of both youth and children. Jessica has felt a calling to provide safe, holistic, and multi-diverse opportunities for the younger generation to thrive as they discover who God created them to be and who God is calling them to become as kingdom disciples.
As the Director of Students and Family Ministry at NewCom, Jessica desires to partner and lead with families to ensure our children and youth grow spiritually and emotionally to empower them to participate in God’s work in our world. Jessica finds joy in exploring Humboldt Park neighborhood restaurants with her husband, Carlos, and visiting coffee shops with friends and family.
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
Trevor Good was born and raised in the Sunshine State of Florida. He came to Chicago as a college student to attend the Moody Bible Institute. He enjoyed the windy city so much that he decided to stay. Now, many moons later, we pick up the story with Trevor having a beautiful talented wife Alison and 6 adoring children. He enjoys eating yummy food, having parties, and hosting guests from around the world. Trevor works as a realtor part-time and owns a couple of properties in Chicago.
Email Trevor: trevor@thenewcom.com
James joined the staff of New Community in 2012 as the Sunday Service Coordinator. He oversees the ministries that make Sunday services work, scheduling and providing training for media, sound, tech and worship. He is a graduate of Roosevelt University where he studied jazz bass. When he is not working with New Community he is a full time musician and recording artist. He lives in Jefferson Park with his wife Jess, and sons Clyde and Oliver.
Email James: worship@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.
