August Update | Letter | Timeline | FAQ
August 2025 Update
The West Linn Elders are inviting Chris Powers to come as a candidate for Campus Pastor of the West Linn Congregation! Here is a short introduction in his own words:
Hi there! My name’s Chris Powers, and I’m married to Janelle—we’ve been doing life and ministry together for over a decade now. We have three daughters who keep us on our toes and fill our home with joy and chaos (in the best way). Over the years, I’ve grown deeply passionate about expository preaching, discipleship, and building relationships that help people love Jesus more. That’s why, when we started learning about New Life Church in West Linn, we found ourselves really resonating with what you’re all about. Your commitment to preaching the Word, living in gospel-shaped community, and helping people truly thrive in Christ really stood out to us.
The focus on Life Groups that share meals, pray, and walk through life together feels like the kind of community we want to be a part of! And as we read more about how you intentionally reach out to your neighborhood and live out the gospel in practical ways, it just felt like home. We’re praying for a church where we can both serve and grow—a place where our whole family can jump in and be shaped by the gospel. New Life looks like that kind of place, and we’d be so excited to join what God is doing in and through you!
We think Chris will be a great campus pastor for New Life West Linn and are happy to bring him here as a candidate. Don't take our word for it, though.
You can read the information packet that he sent us. Or, you can read his bio on his current church's website. And, you can meet him for yourself when he is here as a candidate, August 18-24.
The week of August 18, we will create multiple opportunities for you to get to know Chris and Janelle and ask them questions that are important to you. Here is a tentative schedule of their visit:
August 17
Prayer meeting at New Life West Linn Fireside Room at 6:00 p.m. Hosted by the West Linn Elders. (We will Pray First before the candidate comes.)
August 18
Open house at the Reavely Home, 2277 Ostman Road, West Linn, at 7:00 p.m.
August 19
Senior's Bible Study and Potluck — New Life West Linn, Fellowship Hall at 10:00 a.m.
Multiple Life Groups meet together at Saxe Home, 538 Holmes Lane, Oregon City, at 7:00 p.m (Eat dinner before you come and bring a dessert to share.)
August 20
Multiple Life Groups meet together at Shaw Home, 19650 South Kalal Court, Oregon City, at 6:30 p.m. (Eat dinner before you come and bring a dessert to share.)
August 21 — Free
August 22
Celebrate Recovery — New Life West Linn at 6:15-8:15 p.m.
Joni & Friends Respite Night — New Life Gladstone at 6:00-8:00 p.m.
August 23 — Free
August 24
Preach at New Life West Linn, at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m.
Special Business Meeting — New Life West Linn at 6:00 p.m.
We will vote to approve Chris as the West Linn Campus Pastor at the Special Business Meeting.
It has been my delight to serve New Life Church for 36 years on staff. I have been the lead pastor since 1993. Initially, West Linn Baptist Church (now New Life Church) was a small, ordinary church with 23 parking spots.
My job has changed as we planted and closed a Robinwood congregation, planted a Wilsonville congregation, adopted Gladstone and Nueva Vida congregations, and most recently, planted an Oregon City congregation. Through all this, I have loved the church in West Linn and have enjoyed being their pastor.
The lead pastor job, however, has become increasingly involved, and the campus pastor job has demands similar to those of a normal congregation. Add the inevitable truth that I am no longer a young pastor, and it seems fitting to focus on only one of the jobs.
So, the West Linn Congregational Elders are planning and leading a careful and patient search for a new campus pastor for West Linn. That will enable me to continue as a lead pastor. It will also allow me to support that new person and do everything I can to ensure his success.
We will begin the formal communication at the Annual Budget and Elections meeting on December 8. The new budget includes this new position for the second half of 2025. The goal is to have a new campus pastor by September.
You may remember that we began this conversation a couple of years ago but abandoned it for financial reasons. Waiting has made this a better time for the change. Pastor Tim will transition into a part-time role on the first of March 2025. This will dovetail with the Campus Pastor change to ease some of the financial pressure on the church.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and support. If you have any feedback or want to speak into the process in any way, the West Linn Elders will shepherd it and welcome your input. I am happy to field any questions as well. And, as always, I desire to be...
Faithfully yours,
Pastor Scott
Scott and Marcia have been part of New Life Church since 1986 and are beginning a transition.
Transition FAQ
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The West Linn elders: Aeric Estep, Scott Haugen, Josh Hochstettler, Justin Saxe, and Mark Shaw. They will comprise the search team and will solicit feedback from vairous groups.
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Pastor Scott will focus on one of his current jobs, Lead Pastor. This will enable him to lead the entire church more effectively and will support the next Campus Pastor in West Linn and ensure his success.
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Pray.
Don’t be bashful about giving input, even if it isn’t solicited directly.
Tell people about it. The more great applicants we have the better selection we can make.
December 2024
Inform the church of the transition plan.
West Linn elders will comprise the search team with input from others.
Winter 2025
Solicit input from the church.
Recruit potential candidates.
Listening Sessions / Focus Groups
Spring 2025
Screening and Selection Process
Evaluation of Candidates
Interviews
Preaching
Summer 2025
Search Team recommends Chris Powers to the church
Candidating Week: August 17-24
FALL 2025
Transition planning
Orientation
