New Valley welcomes Greg & Caitelen Schneeberger!
Last September, the elders decided to plant a second congregation of New Valley in downtown Phoenix (for more information see the blog post-”New Valley: A multi-congregational church”). The first year of establishing this new congregation has gone very well. We have an amazing team of committed people who are serving, and we have established a growing, authentic community. In spite of that, over the past several months it has become more clear that this work needs the attention of a full-time planter/pastor. We have spent the past several months praying and searching for someone who would be a great fit.
As we began our search I immediately thought of Greg Schneeberger as someone we should talk to. When I met Greg about a year and a half ago, I felt a connection to him and quickly thought that he would be a great fit for our team someday. As we began discussions with the Schneebergers, God was gracious in directing and leading us both to the same conclusion. Not only are Greg and Caitelen a great fit for New Valley (particularly for New Valley Downtown), they have been sensing a strong call to church planting, love ministering in an urban context, and have always felt uniquely drawn to the Southwest.
Greg is 32, and has been serving as a Pastor of Young Adults at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in San Diego (http://www.redeemersd.org ). He also served in a similar role at a church in Albuquerque, NM, where he and Caitelen both grew up. Greg has launched and developed several ministries over the years and seen them grow. He loves people and is a gifted pastor and preacher. He received an M.A. in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary, and has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Whitefield University. He is fluent in Spanish, is a skateboarder, and has a great sense of humor.
Greg and Caitelen have two daughters, Aria (3) and Violet (1). Caitelen is an accomplished singer/song writer who plays the piano and violin, and has been involved in leading worship for many years. You can listen to her music at her website: http://caitelen.com.
In conjunction with the financial support of the Southwest Church Planting Network, several private donors, the giving of the downtown congregation, and New Valley, we feel the timing is right to hire Greg. Please be in prayer for the Schneebergers as they bring closure to their ministry in San Diego and make preparations to begin ministering with us in September.
Greg and Caitelen will be living downtown with the primary focus and responsibility to serve the downtown congregation as their leader and pastor. That said, he will also be a part of the Ahwatukee preaching team from time to time. I will continue to preach in both congregations as the transition is made, and over time as Greg assumes the role of lead pastor downtown, he will begin to take more of the leadership and preaching responsibilities for that congregation.
It is with grateful hearts that we welcome the Schneeberger family!