34 Give thanks to the LORD , for he is good;

his love endures forever.

                                                 1 Chronicles 16

Our lead pastor and friend is Denise Crawford. She has a sharp, creative mind, a deeply loving heart, a radically optimistic vision and a great sense of humor. In February of 2001, Denise gave up her position as Early Youth Pastor at a larger Nazarene Church and joined NewStart because she recognized a place of safety where her hope of loving relationships could become a reality. She found a group of people whose vision to allow God's love to revolutionize their loves and their world matched her own vision.

She came to NewStart with her family; husband Curt and daughters Makayla and Madison. The members of NewStart unanimously elected her as our lead pastor on October 24, 2004 upon the resignation of founding pastor Roland Hearn, who returned to his homeland of Australia with our love, gratitude, blessing and prayers.

Denise was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in July, 2003. She follows in the tradition of wise, courageous, caring women like Deborah in the Old Testament, Priscilla and Phoebe in the New Testament and others in more recent times who have led God's people. 

Denise inspires others by the life that she lives. She is genuine in the way she loves people. She gives her heart to old and young, regardless of circumstances, because she values people for who they are. Her leadership style empowers others to participate in ministry too, and she models unconditional love and acceptance.

Come meet her and find a new friend.