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Staff

Kevin Budd, Senior Pastor

Kevin grew up in Seattle, Washington. His faith in Jesus Christ became personally meaningful while in junior high, and he found that as a youth he was deeply interested in the Scriptures and in spiritual things. Gradually, he became convinced that he could serve the Lord most effectively in pastoral ministry.

Kevin and Luann (Glidden) married in 1976, and now have four grown sons and one college age daughter. Luann works as an administrator at the library at San Jose State University , and has written “Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth”, published by InterVarsity Press in February, 2002.

Kevin attended Biola University in Southern California (1973-74), the University of Puget Sound, in Tacoma, Washington (1974-75), and graduated from the University of Washington, in Seattle, with a degree in speech communication (1977). He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (1983), and earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in Deerfield, IL (1997). He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church, completing orientation work at North Park Seminary in Chicago. He has served in pastoral ministry at two churches: Redeemer Covenant Church in Downey, CA ( 1983-1997) and New Life Covenant Church of San Jose (1997-present).

Kevin enjoys preaching and teaching the Scriptures believing that the truth found there can be transformational in the life of anyone who desires to follow Jesus Christ. He is energized by the process of meeting with people and helping them to experience the grace of God more deeply, and to grow in their relationship with him.

Adam McGhee, Outreach Pastor

Adam was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but grew up in Indiana. Adam gave his life to Christ and was called to evangelistic ministry in October, 1998. Ever since he has had a burden in sharing the message of Jesus with the lost.

Adam completed his undergrad at Indiana Wesleyan University, with a Christian Ministries degree back in 2005. He also has a cross-cultural ministry emphasis in his degree. Currently he is finishing his Masters in World Missions and Evangelism through Asbury Theological Seminary.

Adam is married to Emily. Together they have a 2-year old and one on the way.

Evangelism and outreach has always been on the heart and mind of Adam. In his past wherever there was a need to share Christ with the unchurched, Adam either started a home church, bible study, or counseled whoever was interested in hearing about Jesus. Leading up to being the outreach pastor of New Life, Adam was a student ministries pastor, street evangelist, preached at revivals and other outreach events, church planter, and short term missionary on several occasions. He is also ordained under Christ Community Church World Missions.

As outreach pastor for New Life, Adam plans on leading the church in ministering to the unchurched in San Jose through evangelism training, prayer, and creating ministries that present the Gospel in the context of where the unchurched live. Adam also seeks to build relationships and introduce Jesus to the non-Christian whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Andrea Lee, Director of Operations

Before joining the staff of New Life, Andrea served as the Assistant Dean of the Library at a Bay Area college for almost 10 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at UC Irvine (1989) and holds a Masters in Library Science degree from the University of Arizona (1992). Andrea and her husband, Bill, married in 1994 and they have two elementary-school age daughters.

As the Director of Operations, Andrea seeks to integrate New Life’s biblical mandates and vision with the laws and rules governing non-profit organizations. In addition to providing structure and support for the organization, Andrea leads our Compassion ministries, an area she finds to be rich with promise and hope as New Life seeks to expand its role in serving those in need.

Gina Bluhm, Children's Ministry Associate

Gina Bluhm joined the staff of New Life in September 2007 as our Part-time Children’s Ministry Associate. In this role, she conducts the Children’s Church services on Sunday mornings, oversees the nursery care, participates in our outreach through KidsClub at Bagby Elementary School and explores new ways to reach out to children and families in our community.

A native of San Jose, Gina holds degrees in both General Ministry and Theater from Bethany College in Scotts Valley. Prior to college, Gina spent several years traveling the world with Covenant Players, serving in the U.S., Mexico and the Philippines. After college, she served as a Drama Ministry leader at Crosswalk Community Church. Much of Gina’s professional life has been dedicated to working with and teaching children from infant through junior high school ages, and she brings to our congregation a love and enthusiasm for children’s ministry that is evident in her connections with our families. Gina is married with a little boy, Jaliel and is presently in process to adopt a second son, Matthais.

Timothee Castagna, Administrative Assistant

Tim is a third year public relations student at San Jose State University, and joined New Life as an Administrative Assistant in October 2008.

Tim is actively involved on campus with Pulse College ministry through Great Exchange Covenant Church, as well as UIC (Unity in Christ) which seeks to bring all Christian fellowships in unity to advance His kingdom at SJSU.

Tim grew up in the French Alps. He grew up in a small church lead by his dad and other family members. In fact, most members were related. His family moved to the United States in 2002, when he was 14.

The first word that ever came out of Tim’s mouth was : OUTSIDE! Tim LOVES the outdoors. Camping, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Kite Flying, and anything that’ll get him out of the house.

Tim is very excited to be serving at New Life and to see the ways in which God will use this place to do his works.