Rusty Hildebrand
Lead Pastor
Rusty joined the New Life team in 2016, coming 'home' to Manitoba after 9 years of pastoring in Ontario. He has a passion to help people experience the joy of knowing Jesus. When he isn't enjoying time with his wife Erica and their three daughters (Annika, Britta & Pippa), Rusty is often planning his next adventure to some place new or watching his favourite sports teams lose.
Daniel Bredin
Pastor of Worship and Connections
Daniel has been part of the team at New Life since 2020. In his role overseeing the church's music, fellowship, and outreach work, he has a passion for seeing the glory and goodness of God proclaimed and enjoyed in community. When he’s not working, he is likely to be hanging out with his wife, Damaris, and daughter, Lucy, reading books, brewing single-origin coffee, or watching sports.
Daniel Brewer
Director of Youth and Young Adults
Daniel has been working with youth and young adults for the past five years, both in his workplace and as a small group leader. He has a desire to show young people how a personal relationship with Christ, combined with diving into God's word, should impact all areas of their lives. He and his wife, Kaitlyn, love opening their home and hosting the latest family gathering or youth event. He enjoys spending time with their two sons, Theodore and Benjamin, diving into a good theology book, and tinkering with his latest woodworking project—often while blasting either rap or classical music in the background.
Angela Wolff
Director of Children’s Ministry
Angela and her family have been part of New Life since 2012, and she joined the New Life team in 2016. She is grateful for the many friendships and connections she’s built within the church. Angela loves Jesus and has a big heart for children, feeling called to share His love by helping them feel valued, supported, and deeply loved as they learn about God’s grace and faithfulness. She enjoys spending time outdoors, has recently discovered a love for fishing, and is often found soaking in God’s creation. She also loves reading books, spending time with family, and watching hockey. She and her husband, Hardy, have four children—Kyle, Brayden, Hailey, and Aron—who keep life full and active.
Andrea Bennett
Office Administrator
Andrea and her family have been part of New Life since 2020 after feeling called to find a church closer to home. She has a heart for building community and is especially passionate about encouraging young moms, drawing from her own journey and the joy she’s found in Christ. Creative and hands-on, Andrea loves crafting of all kinds, is always ready to try something new (she hopes to learn the fiddle one day!), and enjoys serving in Kids Ministry alongside her husband, Ronnie. She can often be found singing in the office with Tara (always on key!). Andrea and Ronnie have been married for over 15 years and have four children—Audrey, Wade, Emma, and Russell—and together they love connecting with their community and sharing the light of Jesus in everyday life.
Amanda Jongstra
Bookkeeper
Amanda has been part of New Life since moving to Stonewall in Grade 7, where the youth group and friendships helped build a strong foundation for her faith. She joined the team as Bookkeeper in 2015 and loves keeping the church’s files and finances organized. Amanda loves Jesus and values living with intention, believing that God works through who we are as much as what we do. She and her husband, Jordan, have three amazing Bulgarian/Canadian boys—Nikola, Momchil, and Kyle—and love spending time outdoors, swimming, and travelling whenever they can. She has a heart for kids and youth and especially enjoys being part of camp ministry in the summer. As a kid, she dreamed of being a dolphin trainer—and still hopes to swim with dolphins one day!
Craig Ozirney
Director of Property Services
Craig keeps things running smoothly around the church—usually with a tool in hand and a witty (and sometimes sarcastic) comment ready to go. Whether he’s on a ladder, on the lawn mower, or armed with a hammer or shovel, you’ll likely find him fixing something… usually something someone else broke. If fewer things got broken around here, he might just be out of a job. As a pastor’s son who grew up at New Life, Craig has a deep love for the church and its people, and his personal touch is evident throughout the building as he faithfully cares for the space and helps create an environment where ministry can thrive.
Tracey Driscoll
Custodian
Tracey has spent her whole life at New Life Church and has a deep love for its people and community. She helps keep the facility clean and welcoming and is well-known for baking the delicious cinnamon buns enjoyed on Sunday mornings—a family passion she and her husband have faithfully carried on for over 20 years. You’ll often find her in the halls with headphones on, cleaning with a little pep in her step. When she’s not working at the church, Tracey enjoys spending time with her family, decorating her home, and getting lost in a good book.
Tara Hotson
Director of Operations
Tara joined the church as Director of Operations in December 2025 after moving to Balmoral, MB, from Ontario earlier that spring with her husband, Doug. She loves Jesus, the church, and its people, and enjoys using her gifts in organization, leadership, and mentoring to support the church’s mission. Adventurous and full of joy, Tara loves to laugh, travel, and build meaningful connections, and is passionate about encouraging women in their faith and serving others through meal ministry. You’ll often find her singing in the office… badly. Tara is a proud stepmom to Matthew and Nicholas and shares a lively home with three dogs.