MEET THE STAFF
Aaron Martell
LEAD PASTOR
Pastor Aaron Martell and his wife, Theresa, have been married since 1996 and have two children, Jayda and Caleb. Both Aaron and Theresa graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Aaron was a youth pastor for five years at North Haven Church in North St. Paul and for almost two years at Community Church in Fond du Lac. After that, he worked at Fond du Lac Bumper Exchange as the sales manager. Aaron joined the staff at New Life in August of 2006 as an associate pastor and is currently the lead pastor. Both Aaron and Theresa were part of the launch team for New Life. Theresa enjoys being at home with her family and has a creative passion for her photography business. Aaron enjoys being with his family, outdoor adventures, coaching CrossFit, and cheering on the Packers.
Aaron can be reached at aaron@newlifeplymouth.com.
Aaron can be reached at aaron@newlifeplymouth.com.
Sam Scharinger
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Sam Scharinger began working for New Life in September 2016 as the associate pastor. He spent the last five years as a high school counselor at Plymouth High School. Sam is the proud husband to his beautiful wife, Kate. They have three adorable children, Teagan, Quinn and Benaiah. Through his position at New Life, Sam serves through discipleship of families and individuals and leads the youth programs, KidQuest and C.R.E.W. Sam and Kate love to spend time hiking, camping, hunting and especially fishing – basically anything outdoors. Both are super competitive and enjoy challenging each other in many sports, including nerf gun wars. Kate runs her own business as a photographer and is passionate about taking photos of both landscapes and people. She also has a knack for baking a mean batch of chocolate chip cookies. Sam is excited to see New Life grow into the fullness that God has for individuals and the church as a whole.
Sam can be reached at sam@newlifeplymouth.com.
Sam can be reached at sam@newlifeplymouth.com.
Steph Harms
FAMILY DIRECTOR
Steph Harms joined the New Life staff the summer of 2022 as Family Director. Steph was a teacher for the last 15 years. She spent most of her time with middle school students, yet she also taught in first and second grade as well. She has a passion for children and will be guiding them along their faith journeys. She will be discipling in our KidQuest and C.R.E.W programs as well as supporting families through life. Steph is married to her husband, Matt, and they have two awesome children, Owen and Hope. They enjoy spending time staying active outside, playing sports, hiking, biking, and walking their dog, Luna. Steph and her family are excited to see how God will continue to grow our families within New Life and our area communities.
Steph can be reached at steph@newlifeplymouth.com.
Steph can be reached at steph@newlifeplymouth.com.
Laura Dolfin
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Laura Dolfin will be our part-time office administrator. Laura has been attending New Life for almost 3 years. You may have seen her serving coffee or greeting on Sunday mornings where she has enjoyed getting to know the people of New Life. Laura is married to Todd and they have three sons - David (32), Kevin (30) married to Nicole, and Justin (27) married to Meta. She likes to read, walk, travel, and spend time with family and friends at their cabin in the Northwoods. Laura is honored to be welcomed onto the ministry team and looks forward to building relationships and discovering what God has in store for her in this new role.
You can reach Laura by emailing office@newlifeplymouth.com.
You can reach Laura by emailing office@newlifeplymouth.com.
Darren Lindstrom
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR
Darren joined the staff at New Life in May of 2022 as the Financial Administrator and is focused on the financial statement reporting and budgeting process for the church. He has a bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Lakeland University and over 30 years of experience in the accounting field. Darren, and his wife of 34 years, Theresa, have been members of New Life for 2 ½ years and are very active in the church. They have an amazing daughter Haley and her husband Nick who they are very proud of. Darren enjoys being a part of life groups and providing transportation to church for our Pathways members. Theresa is also active in life groups including helping with C.R.E.W.
Beyond church Darren is an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers as well as a part time EMT for Kiel Ambulance. He was a volunteer firefighter for 22 years for Elkhart Lake and is still active as a 1st Responder. Darren is a cancer survivor and celebrated his 1st year of being cancer free on October 2022. He also likes to stay active with camping, running, biking, and CrossFit training.
You can reach Darren by emailing darren@newlifeplymouth.com.
Beyond church Darren is an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers as well as a part time EMT for Kiel Ambulance. He was a volunteer firefighter for 22 years for Elkhart Lake and is still active as a 1st Responder. Darren is a cancer survivor and celebrated his 1st year of being cancer free on October 2022. He also likes to stay active with camping, running, biking, and CrossFit training.
You can reach Darren by emailing darren@newlifeplymouth.com.
Holly Vogel
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Holly Vogel will be our part-time communications director. Holly has been going to New Life for just over a year and since has been a part of starting and leading the Young Adult Ministry (Y.A.M.) She is also a part of the prayer team. Outside of Church Holly enjoys hiking, hunting, writing, and spending time with family and friends. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve God and others through this position and looks forward to the growth that it will allow.
You can reach Holly by emailing holly@newlifeplymouth.com.
You can reach Holly by emailing holly@newlifeplymouth.com.
meet the elders
MATT HARMS
Matt has been attending New Life since 2017. He was nominated and voted as an elder of the church in 2020. Matt enjoys being a part of New Life’s men’s ministry, and also helping within a variety of New Life teams including Greeting team, volunteering in KidQuest, online hosting, and filling in wherever there is a need.
Matt is married to his wife, Stephanie, and they have two awesome children, Owen and Hope. They enjoy spending time staying active outside, playing sports (golf, pickle ball, basketball, etc…), hiking, biking, and walking their dog, Luna. Matt & his family are excited to see how God will continue to work within New Life and our area communities.
Contact info for Matt matt@newlifeplymouth.com
Matt has been attending New Life since 2017. He was nominated and voted as an elder of the church in 2020. Matt enjoys being a part of New Life’s men’s ministry, and also helping within a variety of New Life teams including Greeting team, volunteering in KidQuest, online hosting, and filling in wherever there is a need.
Matt is married to his wife, Stephanie, and they have two awesome children, Owen and Hope. They enjoy spending time staying active outside, playing sports (golf, pickle ball, basketball, etc…), hiking, biking, and walking their dog, Luna. Matt & his family are excited to see how God will continue to work within New Life and our area communities.
Contact info for Matt matt@newlifeplymouth.com
JEFF STUEVEN
Jeff has been attending New Life since 2007. He was nominated and voted as an elder for the church in 2021. Jeff has been an active member of the men's ministry and enjoys leading a Sunday discipleship class. He continues to stay involved through various volunteer opportunities. He is retired and has time for his favorite activity, having breakfast or coffee with family or friends! He also enjoys tennis, swimming, and biking.
Jeff is married to his wife, Denise, and they have two sons, Zach and Noah, who enjoy working in the science field. Jeff and Denise love walking along the Lake Michigan beach absorbing the beauty and being quiet with God. They are excited to be part of New Life and to see what God has planned for our church community.
Contact info for Jeff jeff@newlifeplymouth.com
Jeff has been attending New Life since 2007. He was nominated and voted as an elder for the church in 2021. Jeff has been an active member of the men's ministry and enjoys leading a Sunday discipleship class. He continues to stay involved through various volunteer opportunities. He is retired and has time for his favorite activity, having breakfast or coffee with family or friends! He also enjoys tennis, swimming, and biking.
Jeff is married to his wife, Denise, and they have two sons, Zach and Noah, who enjoy working in the science field. Jeff and Denise love walking along the Lake Michigan beach absorbing the beauty and being quiet with God. They are excited to be part of New Life and to see what God has planned for our church community.
Contact info for Jeff jeff@newlifeplymouth.com
SARAH MACHEEL
Sarah and her husband Dennis have a blended family of five adult children. (We survived the teen years—you can too!). Dennis serves as a drummer on New Life’s Worship Team. Sarah works at the Plymouth Public Library while Dennis works in maintenance at the Sargento plant in Kiel. They enjoy hiking and “floating” in the summertime, snowshoeing in the winter, and taking random day trips anytime (“where does this road go?”).
Sarah can be reached anytime at sarah@newlifeplymouth.com
Sarah and her husband Dennis have a blended family of five adult children. (We survived the teen years—you can too!). Dennis serves as a drummer on New Life’s Worship Team. Sarah works at the Plymouth Public Library while Dennis works in maintenance at the Sargento plant in Kiel. They enjoy hiking and “floating” in the summertime, snowshoeing in the winter, and taking random day trips anytime (“where does this road go?”).
Sarah can be reached anytime at sarah@newlifeplymouth.com