Freddy Cruz
Campus Pastor (Spanish)
Freddy was born and raised in the Logan Square Community located on the North side of Chicago. On the 21st of January 1991, his life was radically changed as he came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Freddy and his wife Lisa decided to move to the south side of Chicago as to get more involved at New Life Community Church. Since then he has been fully submerged in the vision and the values of New Life, faithfully serving and leading in various ministries demonstrating his hunger and desire to be used of God in greater ways. His passion and ability to speak Spanish has lead him to his current place of service as Nueva Vida's Campus Pastor. Freddy and Lisa along with their three handsome boys; Kelvin, Joseph and Julian together as a family have accepted the call and are anxious to see many come to know and experience the love of Christ.
Elizabeth Galik
New Life Centers Program Director
Elizabeth Galik has been at the Humboldt Park location since 2004, when she joined what was then Bethel Lutheran School as a third/fourth grade teacher. In 2006, when Bethel Lutheran School closed its doors, Elizabeth gathered a team of volunteers to begin community outreach in that facility. This community outreach--now known as Bethel Family Programs, within New Life Centers--has grown to serve over 250 individuals with Christian after-school educational, technological, and recreational programs. Passionately interested in building Christian families in the city, Elizabeth shares time between Bethel Family Programs and her own family of husband Charlie, preschooler Luke, and baby Faith.
Madeline Hernandez
Office Manager
Madeline has lived in the Humboldt Park community for most of her life and has been a part of the Bethel Church community for almost 20 years. She has two daughters who both attended the Bethel School from PK-8th and became members of the church. Madeline has had the privilege of serving the Bethel Church community and school in various ways throughout the years as a teacher's aide, tutor, VBS teacher, school secretary and most recently in her position as the Office Manager for New Life Humboldt Park. One of Madeline’s favorite things about her service to the Church is having the opportunity to meet and get to know so many of her neighbors both young and old and to take the opportunities that God allows her to learn about His immense love and forgiveness for us through these relationships.
Danny Lopez
Campus Pastor (English)
Danny Lopez is a native of Chicago and grew up in the Humboldt Park area in a home where drugs, alcohol, gang activity and witchcraft was prevalent. At the age of 13 God’s grace changed the course of his life. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Bible Theology and is well known in the city for his 25 years of youth ministry to the teens in churches and the local high schools. Danny has been married for 26 years to Cyrene and they have 3 grown children who are serving the Lord and active in various areas of ministry. Danny is a dynamic speaker who is passionate about Jesus. He is the newest pastor to join the New Life staff. Danny will be the Teaching Pastor at the New Life Tri-Taylor Campus at Hope Academy where he will be leading worship as well.
Shanda Rivera
Director Of Operations/Humboldt Park
Shanda Rivera was born and raised in Chicago. Growing up on the Westside, she moved to the Northside of Chicago almost twenty years ago, after giving her life to Christ. That is where she currently resides with her husband of 15 years, Jose, and their 3 children. Shanda has a passion for Christ, a heart for mentoring and a love for the performing arts. She serves and leads in various ministries within the church.