Our Team

J.J. is originally from the San Francisco bay area where he grew up in a Church of God pastor's home and was part of the worship team. He attended Lee University where he traveled around the United States doing ministry and singing as a member of Campus Choir. He graduated from Lee in 2003 with a degree in Telecommunications before he went on to complete his Master's of Divinity at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. He married Jeanna Stephens in 2007, and they have three children - Ava (2010) and the twins, Mary & Harrison (2012). J.J. started in ministry when he was 16 and has been in full time ministry since 2008. The Chiaras came to New Life from eastern PA in September of 2019 and have helped the church navigate through many changes during the Covid pandemic and beyond.

Kenneth has been a part of New Life since he was in 4th grade, when his dad, Jerry Steele, became the lead pastor. He graduated from Lee University in 2007 with a degree in Telecommunications, and in 2012, he completed his Master’s degree in Elementary Education at California University of Pennsylvania. Kenneth married Heather Rankin in 2011, and they have three children: Savannah (born in 2013), Jackson (2016), and Easton (2017). He served as a volunteer at New Life for many years before being hired part-time in 2016 as Children’s Pastor, and then full-time in 2020 as Family Pastor. In May of 2025, Kenneth transitioned into the role of Associate Pastor.

Jeanna was raised in Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina in a minister’s home. She completed a bachelor’s degree from Lee University in Human Development with a teacher's license for grades K-8th. She later attended Lincoln Memorial University and received a Masters in Educational Leadership. Jeanna taught in the public school system for 3.5 years before joining her husband in full time ministry. She and her husband have three children, and she stays busy homeschooling, leading the kids ministry at church, and playing piano on the worship team. Jeanna likes walking in the woods with her dogs, reading a good book, and drinking a hot cup of coffee.

Lori grew up in Oxford, New York and was the youngest of seven children. She committed her life to Christ as a teenager. Lori received a bachelors of science degree in Occupational Therapy and went on to work for a few decades, working with the elderly and birth to 3 population. She and her family have moved 11 times due to her husband's career in the military. She and her husband moved to Markleysburg from Dubois, PA and have 4 grown children. Lori has been involved in children's ministry for the last 20 years. She is dedicated to making the Little's and Sprouts classes a fun, Jesus loving, and teaching environment.

Heather's roots are right here in Fayette County, where she was born and raised. She began attending New Life Covenant with her family, as a child, in 1999. Heather graduated from Uniontown Area High School in 2006. She married Kenneth Steele in 2011, and they now have three children - Savannah (2013), Jackson (2016), and Easton (2017). Heather studied at Liberty University Online and earned 24 credits in Elementary Education before discontinuing her studies to focus on a growing family and assist her husband in ministry. Currently, Heather provides administrative support to the small group leaders at New Life Covenant, while also working as the church treasurer.

Rachel grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, and was involved in church from a young age. She began her ministry journey in 2017 through C.A.M.S. with the Church of God and earned her Exhorter’s license in 2018, the same year she graduated from Easton Area High School. She moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, that fall to attend Lee University, where she pursued a degree in Ministry. During her time at Lee, she completed a pastoral internship at New Life Covenant in the summer of 2021. She graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Bi-Vocational Theology and Pastoral Ministry and joined the New Life staff that July. Rachel married Ben Witt in September of 2023. In May 2025, both she and Ben became Ordained Ministers and soon after stepped into the role of Youth Pastors at New Life, where they now lead Elevate Youth together.

Linda joined the staff at New Life Covenant Church in 2005 following a 20 year career with West Virginia Career College in Morgantown, West Virginia. There she served as Admissions Representative for both the Morgantown & Uniontown campuses. She has a long and rich history of service in many areas of ministry, both inside and outside of New Life Covenant. Linda is married to Bob Frantz, who has also dedicated himself to ministry service. Linda raised her two children at New Life Covenant. Her daughter, Susan, lives in Roanoke, Virginia where she serves in pastoral ministry with her husband, Sam. Her son Richard and daughter-in-law Gretchen live locally and are successful business owners. Linda is most proud of her three grandkids- Charlie, Tobie and Ellie. In her spare time, Linda enjoys using her creative skills and her favorite hobby is bike riding.

J.J. Chiara

Kenneth Steele

Jeanna Chiara

Lori Fetzer

Heather Steele

Rachel Witt

Linda Frantz