Our Pastor & Staff

Pastor Bob O'Bannon

Bob O'Bannon was born in Muncie, Ind., but spent most of his childhood years in the Carmel area. After graduating from Carmel High School, he went back to Muncie to earn a journalism degree from Ball State, and then spent a couple of years working as a newspaper reporter for the late Muncie Evening Press. In 1989, Bob left the Press to take a job as director of public affairs for the Indiana Manufacturers Association in Indianapolis, where he was involved in public relations and desktop publishing. Bob is an avid music collector who picks the guitar reasonably well and loves playing basketball, mountain biking, reading books, and taking walks with his wife, Mary.

Bob and Mary met in Indianapolis while attending a prayer group at church. Bob remembers being attracted to Mary's wisdom, maturity, and heart for the underdog. He knew almost immediately that Mary was the girl for him, although it took Mary a little longer to get with the program! In October 1994 they were married and have enjoyed a strong, loving relationship ever since.

Mary was raised in a Christian home in Richmond, Ind. Her pastor and parents spoke often about the Gospel, so as early as the age of 6, she became convicted of her sin. Soon afterward, she asked her mother how to become a Christian and decided to pray to receive Christ at that time. While growing up, Mary felt the need to know the Bible better, so she decided to attend Florida Bible College in Hollywood, Fla., where she earned a degree in biblical education with a minor in theology. Mary is gifted in encouragement, mercy, wisdom, and hospitality. She loves interior decorating, spending time with her two border collies, baking, entertaining people in her home, and taking walks with her husband.

Bob was led to Christ through the witness of a Campus Crusade staff member while still at Carmel High School. He became involved in Campus Crusade immediately and continued with the ministry through college, when he also attended Westminster PCA under the leadership of Petros Roukas. While living in Indianapolis, Bob and Mary began attending College Park Church on the northwest side, an experience that God used to stir a passion in Bob's heart for seminary training and pastoral ministry. After much prayer and counsel, Bob and Mary left their jobs in Indianapolis to start a new life in St. Louis, where Bob began classes at Covenant Theological Seminary in January 1999. Through this experience, Bob's desire for pastoral ministry increased, and before graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in May 2002, he found himself pastoring a small evangelical Presbyterian church in Alton, Ill., just across the river from St. Louis. In early 2004, Bob taught Bible to students from grades six through 12 at Westminster Christian Academy in the Alton area, before receiving a call to pastor New Life Presbyterian Church in Yorktown, Ind. The O'Bannons gladly moved back to central Indiana, where Bob was ordained in the PCA and started serving at New Life in September 2004.

Bob and Mary are united in their desire to show the love of Christ to the community and to preach the good news that God has broken into our existence in the man Jesus Christ in order to free individuals from their bondage to sin and to make all things new. The O'Bannons consider it an honor and privilege to minister in the name of such a wonderful Savior.

Elders

Bob Clark

Doug Elliott

Tony Guinn

Tony and his wife Dorinda have been married for 6 years. They have two daughters, Anna and Leah. Tony is a former pastor who is now pursuing a Master of Divinty. In addition to being an Elder, Tony leads the Evangelism Explosion ministry at New life. He works for Marsh Supermarkets. His hobbies include hiking trails with his family, music, playing guitar, playing basketball, writing, reading and walking.

Deacons

Mark Bergman: Mark and his wife, Brenda, have been married 14 years and have attended New Life for eight years. They have four wonderful children, Nathan, Jenna, Erica, and Jessica. The Bergmans are involved in several ministries, including the BASSYCS program, worship team, host ministry, and outreach team. Mark serves as a deacon. He is employed at Ontario Systems.

Dan Perkins: Dan and his wife, Tami, have been attending New Life since 1994. In addition to serving as a deacon, Dan is a member of the prayer team. He has worked at Ontario Systems as a systems analyst since November 1993. Dan and Tami have been married since 1994 and have two sons, Zachary and Aaron.

Randy Thompson: Randy and his wife, Alaina, have been members of New Life since 2001. "We were looking for a new church home to better serve the Lord, and God, In His providence, built New Life right around the corner." Randy currently serves on the hospitality and communications team and is always looking for an opportunity to expand God's kingdom. His hobbies include gardening, woodworking, camping, paintball, and sharing his love for NASCAR with his wife and son Jesse.

Robert Wohlfarth : Robert Wohlfarth and his wife, Renee, have attended New Life since 1994. They have two daughters - Deanna and Lucretia - and one undetermined due in early November. The Wohlfarths serve on the hospitality team. Robert also manages the sound system. He works at Ontario Systems as a Systems Analyst.

Joel Good : Joel Good joined the New Life staff in the Fall of 2007 as Director of Music. Joel is currently studying Music Education at Ball State University where he led worship at Campus Crusade for several years prior to his graduation in 2004 with a degree in Telecommunications. He and his wife Ellen live in Muncie. 

Youth Director

Adam Delaplane : Adam is on staff at New Life as the Youth Director.  He and his wife Jessy started the youth program four years ago, while they were attending Ball State University.  Once they had graduated from Ball State they decided to stay on staff and continue ministering to the youth at New Life.  Adam and Jessy currently live in Indianapolis where they work with another group of teens.  They are also involved in the Christian Education, Outreach, Worship, and Missions teams at New Life.

Administrative Assistant

Deborah Miller: Deborah has been New Life's administrative assistant since July of 2006. She has a Bachelor's degree in English from Ball State. Deborah and her husband Matt have two children, Elijah and Brenley. Matt works in Applications Support at Ontario Systems.