Meet Our Pastor,
Elders, and Deacons
Pastor
John Bopp
The Rev. John Bopp and his wife, Sherry, are originally from northwest Indiana, a suburb of Chicago. They have two adult children. John has a B.S. in accounting from Purdue University and spent nearly 20 years in the construction industry. Before being called to seminary, John served as a deacon and ruling elder in a PCA church. He earned his M.Div. from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana. John previously served as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) for seven years. He began serving as senior pastor at New Life PCA in 2014.
newlifechurchminneola@gmail.com | Tel: 352-241-8101
Elder
Brandon Phillips
Brandon and his wife, Jennifer, have 5 adult children, 2 sons-in-laws, and one super-cute grandchild. He has spent 30 + years as a woodworker owning his own furniture and cabinet business and getting to use his gift and love of the craft as a profession. He loves open fire cooking and sharing the bounty of his hobby with friends and family. He also loves to study and teach the Word of God and is grateful for the privilege to lead Sunday School class periodically. As members for 15 years, Brandon and his wife are continuously thankful for the opportunity to serve New Life Church.
newlifechurchminneola@gmail.com | Tel: 352-241-8101
Deacon
Norman Heyl
Norm and his wife, Linda, lived in Maryland for over 40 years. Norm spent his entire career working for the Government Accountability Office (GAO), where he audited Federal Agencies. He served as an Elder for 6 years in his local Presbyterian Church where he oversaw the church's finances. Upon retirement, he and Linda moved to Florida and later joined New Life Church. As a Deacon, Norm uses his work experience to monitor our church's financial operations. The Heyls have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren.
newlifechurchminneola@gmail.com | Tel: 352-241-8101
Elder
David James
David was born in Tacoma, Maryland and raised in Carroll County, Maryland.
He and his wife Linda have been married 30+ years and have two married children, Benjamin and Westley, and one grandchild. David has a degree from Potomac State College and is a sales rep.
He loves fishing and working in his yard.
newlifechurchminneola@gmail.com | Tel: 352-241-8101
Elder
John Bishop
John and his wife Barbara have been married 45 years and are both native Floridians. They moved to central Florida in 2000. John retired in 2019 from his job as a supervisor with the USPS. John and Barbara have one son, three daughters and 13 grandchildren. John enjoys reading, walking and being outdoors.
newlifechurchminneola@gmail.com | Tel: 352-241-8101
Deacon
Paul Slayton
Paul and his wife MaryAnn were married in 1978 and have 5 children and 16 grandchildren. Paul and MaryAnn both have BA Degrees from Wheaton College, where they met.. They have been members of Wycliffe Bible Translators (10 years) and then Africa Inland Mission finishing out assignments in Mozambique and Namibia in 2017. They came to Minneola in 2021 from Colorado as "semi-retired" travelers and teachers. Paul enjoys working outdoors, playing disc golf, maintaining vehicles, and spending time with their extended family and church family.
newlifechurchminneola@gmail.com | Tel: 352-241-8101