Tyler Braun – Senior Pastor
“God wants more than our belief in Him. He wants our obedience.”
Tyler Braun is a writer, musician, and pastor. He grew up in Keizer, Oregon before attending George Fox University and then Multnomah Seminary.
While growing up Tyler wanted so badly to leave Salem behind, but he now embraces Salem as his home, knowing God has great things in mind for Oregon’s capitol.
He loves serving in the church while raising his three children with his wife Rose, but he also enjoys golfing and running.
You can connect with him on his blog, ManofDepravity.com, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email: tyler@newharvestch.org
Barry Braun – Associate Pastor
“Let it in; let it out!”
Email: barry@newharvestch.org
Steve Entz – Pastor of Discipleship
Steve grew up in Sao Paulo Brazil as a missionary’s kid.
He and his wife married in 1980 and have raised three children and currently have five grandchildren.
Due to hereditary eye disease, Steve is legally blind. “A perfect month for me would include meeting new people over a cup of coffee, listening to 3-4 books, and leading some meaningful Small Group meetings”.
His main role at the church is helping newcomers to the church get connected to a small group or a place to volunteer.
Email: steve@newharvestch.org
Bridgette Freshour
Bridgette Freshour is a wife and mom to three amazing boys. She uses the words “beautiful chaos” to describe what her life is like from day to day. She has been serving in the local church as a Children’s Director, and a mix of other things, since 2014.
The most important thing to her is to live a life with open hands, ready and willing to follow wherever God leads.
Having her own kids has only deepened her desire to teach children about the love of Christ. She is passionate about planting seeds of faith in young children and helping those seeds grow and flourish throughout their childhood and into adulthood.
“So many kids turn 18 and leave the church behind. I want to fix that! I want our kids and youth to experience the deep and never-ending love of Christ in a way that impacts them for the rest of their lives!”
Bridgette loves waterfalls, coffee, and lazy weekends at home with her family.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Email: bridgette@newharvestch.org
Meredith Mooney – Youth Director
Meredith wholeheartedly loves the ministries God has led her into, and desires to see His kingdom grow.
She was born and raised in the Salem/Keizer area and has lived here most of her life. She has been working with children and youth for over 30 years.
She loves to explore God’s creation with them through science and nature and play and watch them meet Jesus and fall in love with him.
Middle School and High School students have a special place in her heart. Their crazy energy, awkwardness and struggle to be who God created them to be are the perfect playground for exploring who Jesus is and who they are because of Him.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 ESV
Email: meredith@newharvestch.org
Yana Ignatovich – Worship Director
Yana has a passion for all things music, and worship. Her musical background includes a highly musically inclined culture, as well as four years of choir and classical piano/vocal lessons.
With a strong desire to see people reach their highest potential, she volunteers at Young Life, meets with new people regularly, and loves to push people out of their comfort zones to become better.
She was born and raised in Salem, Oregon, and graduated from McKay High School as well as Chemeketa Community College, making community an important part of her life.
“Watching people become better than they used to be is one of the most gratifying things I could be a part of.”
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9
Email: yana@newharvestch.org
Carol Nesmith – Support for Women
Carol is a native Oregonian who loves the Lord. She has had life experiences that have made her realize her total dependency on Him.
Her life verse is Proverbs 3:4-5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.”
Carol has two adult daughters, one who is home with the Lord. She has been an elementary school teacher for 34 years.
Carol has spent the last 13 years with Prison Fellowship Ministry, teaching Bible studies at Marion County Jail. Her desire is to allow the Holy Spirit to speak into women’s lives setting them free, so they can live out the life God has purposed for them.
She feels her calling is to listen to and love the broken. Carol sees herself as the broken whom Jesus holds together.
Email: carol@newharvestch.org
Debi Stangeland – Ministry Assistant
Debi is a wife, mom, and blogger who lives a joyful life grounded in God’s Word.
She started her adult life as a political scientist at the Oregon State Capitol and has done everything from selling karaoke machines and bowling alleys to the U.S. military, to planning tours of the Holy Land for churches across the globe.
Debi’s gifts lie in administration, organization, and service. Her passion is to know God and make Him known. Her whole world revolves around what He has done for the whole world.
In her spare time, Debi likes to fly fish, read, and listen to jazz. She’s a pushover for bicycles, Christmas gnomes, and dark chocolate. You can follow Debi at RealFunFamily.com and on Instagram.
Email: debi@newharvestch.org