MEET THE CHURCH STAFF
Mike Neuse (nois-y),
Senior Pastor
Tell us a little about yourself and your family: My family isn't the stereotypical pastor's family. There is a great deal of freedom given to each member to be who they are but we also hold each other accountable for our actions and attitudes – not perfectly, but we try.
My wife Sheila and I have three children that we love uniquely and deeply. Joshua, Hannah, and Austin (we call him Boo). Our family mission is to, "Stay together always and to make memories." Apart from my relationship with God my family is the most wonderful blessing I have in life.
What do you do here at NRVCC and how did you get involved? I am the founding pastor. I'm involved in too many ways to mention without boring everyone.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I love making music and developing my drumming skills. I enjoy taking times for solitude for my personal growth and renewal. I also enjoy playing golf, watching concerts and movies.
What are you most passionate about? God. My family. Church. Music. Being a lifelong learner.
Tell us something outrageous that you've done: Starting New River Valley Community Church was an outrageous endeavor. My family and I left a church we all loved and moved to Virginia. At the time I had no income. There was no place to meet for services and I didn't know anybody in the New River Valley.
Renee Poff,
Small Groups Director
Tell us a little about yourself and your family: I am married to Todd and we live in Christiansburg with our son Jordan and daughter Karley...along with 2 cats, a hamster and Max the puppy! I work full time for Carilion Home Care Services. We stay pretty busy with basketball, baseball and soccer but we love it all!
What do you do here at NRVCC and how did you get involved? I have served in a variety of areas at NRVCC. I served in the children's ministry every Sunday for two years. I then felt led to help get people connected in small groups based on my own awesome small group experience. I now provide leadership for the Small Group Ministry here at NRVCC.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Our family spends time camping with my twin sister and her family and our parents.
What are you most passionate about? Helping people feel accepted and helping them find a place where they fit in. I want everyone at NRVCC (and everywhere for that matter) to be connected in a group or ministry where they experience genuine community like Jesus had with His disciples. It is the most wonderful thing when we can do life together and be there for each other!
Tell us something outrageous that you've done: Uh....no comment!
Sheila Neuse,
Student Ministry Director
Tell us a little about yourself and your family: I am married to Mike. Our oldest son, Joshua is in college. Our daughter Hannah is also in college. Our surprise gift child is Austin (Boo). I love what I do and even if I had the power to, would not change very many things in my life.
What do you do here at NRVCC and how did you get involved? I am the Director of Student Ministries. I work with a team of nine including Myself, Robin Campbell, Tiffany Gomer, Amie Young, Trevor Shamkin, Byron Young, Hannah Rancourt, Josh Rancourt, and Daniel Burgess. We hold weekly youth meetings for middle and high schoolers which include a lesson, small groups, snacks, and hang-out time. We have at least one activity a month outside of our regular meetings, and a ten day summer trip that shouldn't be missed! We all love teenagers and are greatly committed to helping them enter into a relationship with God and having that relationship impact their daily lives.
I got involved by starting the ministry when the church was first formed. We went on our first youth event before we even had our "official" first service in the school.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Read, watch movies, and play games.
What are you most passionate about? Seeing teenagers enter into a relationship with God... I love seeing a teenager come into the group who has been beaten up by life, watching other leaders and kids welcome and accept them, and seeing them change before your eyes.
Seeing "good" kids understand how to love and accept others and not be judgemental towards kids who may not be as "good" as they are.
Tell us something outrageous that you've done: While having a sleep-over, silly stringed the pizza delivery guy as he walked by (all the girls were hiding). We loved hearing him respond. I've also played hide-and-seek in a store at 2:00am, and played hotel tag with a group of other women.