West Little Rock Leadership

Rick and Ellen Hutchinson serve as Worship Pastors at our West Little Rock campus, leading with a sincere love for Jesus and a passion for helping people connect with Him in everyday life. When they’re not leading worship, you can find them building relationships beyond the church—whether at Rick’s game store in Conway or serving with nonprofits in the Little Rock area. They care about creating spaces where people can genuinely connect with God, no matter their background. Rick and Ellen have been married since 2016 and are the proud parents of their son and daughter, Roe and June.

Justin and Kennedy Bates serve as the Youth Pastors for our West Little Rock campus. Driven by a passion to see students encounter Jesus and pursue Him for a lifetime, they are deeply invested in the next generation. Whether they are hosting youth nights on Wednesdays, meeting students one-on-one, or cheering them on at school events, the Bates are dedicated to supporting their students every step of the way. Married since 2024, Justin and Kennedy are also the proud “parents” of a chocolate lab named Riggins.

Jon and Leigh serve as Middle School Pastors and are passionate about helping students grow in their relationship with Jesus. Their own lives were shaped by what God did in them during their teenage years, and they love creating a space where middle schoolers can experience that same transformation during what they believe is one of the most important, impactful, and fun seasons of life. Jon and Leigh have been married since 2021 and are the proud parents of their son, Hank, along with two golden retrievers.

Kristie Moore serves as the Little Life Pastor at our West Little Rock campus. She has a heart to see children know Jesus and walk in His freedom at an early age. Kristie and her husband Wes have been married for over 20 years and have two incredible kids together.

Jerry and Sarah Biuso lead our Serve Teams and Addiction Recovery ministries at the West Little Rock campus. They are dedicated leaders who invest across multiple areas of the church, carrying a strong passion to see people walk in freedom and experience life-giving community. When they’re not mentoring individuals or leading groups, you’ll likely find them outdoors or on a road trip. Jerry and Sarah have been married for over 30 years and are the proud parents of their two daughters, Julia and Samantha.

Rachael Bernardi has played an integral role in developing prayer ministries across New Life Church. Having been part of the church since its early years, she now serves at the West Little Rock campus in both Prayer Ministry and Real Change. Rachael is passionate about helping people walk in the freedom Christ paid for, offering practical steps and tools to support that journey. She has been married to her husband, Steve, for over 20 years, is the proud mom of two, and a grandmother of two lovely granddaughters.

As Outreach and Connect Coordinator, Leigh bridges the gap between our church and the community. She oversees all local missions—including monthly Serve Days and seasonal initiatives like ThankServing—while streamlining the connection process for new members. Leigh also brings her leadership to the next generation, serving as the Youth Middle Pastor alongside her husband, Jon.

Megan serves on our administrative team with excellence and clarity. Having been raised in a ministry-driven family, she has a heart for the details so that every person who walks through the doors of the church feels cared for with skill and intentionality. Megan and her husband, Dustin, have been married since 2021 and are the proud parents of two girls, Kensington and Waverly. 

Jordan Barkley serves as the Front Desk Administrator at our West Little Rock campus. She has a heart for creating environments where people can easily feel welcomed, seen, and connected. When she’s not at the front desk throughout the week, you can find Jordan serving in worship whether on Sunday mornings or as our Youth worship leader.