Leadership

My wife, Lisa, and I are so happy to be part of the Camelback family!

I began following Jesus as a young boy in Minnesota, and we soon moved back to France where my parents served as missionaries. Some of my earliest memories are waking up early and heading downstairs to read the Bible with my dad on his lap.
We moved from France to Deerfield, IL while I was in grade school, so I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. I attended Wheaton College (1988) and went on to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for a M.Div. and eventually a Ph.D. (New Testament). Our family spent a memorable year at Tyndale House, Cambridge, where I worked on my dissertation. I have been a pastor for some 30 years.

Lisa and I met when I was the Singles Pastor at College Church in Wheaton, IL—that’s a fun story for another time! We have been married since 1996 and God has blessed us with four wonderful children: Claire, Julia, Sarah, and Andrew.
I love hiking, reading, long road trips, and National Parks. But most of all, I love the church. I look forward to meeting you!

I’ve spent the last 30 years as a leader in the public, business and religious communities with experience serving in a variety of roles.  From 1989 through 2001, I was a professional firefighter and EMT-A, working on the front lines of emergency services in Sandpoint, Idaho. I left the Fire Service after starting my own business at the age of 31. Together with my partners and staff, we quickly established a reputation for excellence and innovation in the building integration, automation, and wireless broadband industries.  This led to the successful sale of the business in 2007.

Following the sale of the business, I felt a calling into ministry, and in 2008, I accepted a position as Worship and Creative Arts Pastor for LIFEchurch360 in the Seattle area with a deep passion for serving others and spreading the gospel. In 2019, I was hired as the Executive Pastor of Administration at The Grove Church in Marysville, Washington. In this role, I oversaw the day-to-day operations of the church, managing a large staff and ensuring the smooth functioning of facilities, finances and technology.

Recently, my wife Angie and I decided to fulfill a dream by moving to Phoenix to be closer to family, enjoy more sunshine and a lot less rain. It wasn’t on my “radar” to  serve as the Director of Administration here at Camelback Bible Church.  But God has a way to put us where we need to be if we trust and follow Him.  It’s been quite a ride! 

I came to faith in Jesus at a young age, shaped by the faithful example of my godly parents. I was raised in Modesto, California, where I initially pursued a path in architecture. During that season, however, the Lord began to stir in me a growing desire for pastoral ministry.

That calling led me to Grand Canyon University, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies and met my wonderful wife, Nicole. Because of our deep love for Camelback Bible Church, we felt a strong desire to remain in Phoenix, which led me to continue my training at Phoenix Seminary, where I am pursuing a Master of Divinity (I graduate May 2026).

It has been a joy to serve by overseeing our college ministry and teaching adult discipleship classes. Nicole and I enjoy hiking and running, but most of all, we love the Church. We are grateful to be part of what God is doing at Camelback and are eager with anticipation for what He has in store.

Pastor. Ben's  Teachings:  https://prattb128.substack.com/

My wife Jeanne and I are thrilled to return to Camelback this year, having served for over 10 years in the early 2000’s – Jeanne as the director of Camelback’s preschool and I as the pastor of music ministries.

I was born and raised in a Christian family in the scenic Hudson Valley of NY state and gave my life to Jesus as a young teenager. My parents were active in ministry in our small church, and I served there as a pianist through my teen years. I also participated in band, choir, and musical theater through high school. Jeanne was born in Boston, grew up on Cape Cod until her missionary family moved to the island of Bonaire to “suffer for the Lord in the Caribbean,” and returned 7 years later to Transworld Radio’s headquarters in New Jersey.

Jeanne and I met at Houghton College (NY), where I earned my bachelor’s degree in music education. We were married after graduation and began working at the Stony Brook School on Long Island. Graduate school followed at the Eastman School of Music and Arizona State University, where I earned the master and doctorate in choral music. With our three children, we have lived in West Virginia and upstate NY before moving to AZ to serve at Camelback. I eventually stepped down from this ministry to teach at Scottsdale Christian Academy, where I also was high school principal for two years, and to teach in the Great Hearts charter school system. For 13 years I also have been Chorus Master for the Phoenix Symphony. Our return to the Arcadia area has now opened the door for Jeanne to teach at Veritas Prep, her third Great Hearts school.

I am passionate about seeing people use their gifts in music and to use music as a tool for serving and worshiping God. We are excited to be back and are looking forward to many years of service in this wonderful congregation.

Hi CBC family!
I have the pleasure of serving Camelback Bible Church through social media and events that require AV technology. I am a UT San Antonio graduate with a BA in Music and a minor in Music Technology. I owe all my experience and education to my hometown of San Antonio, TX, where I was deeply commited to my university's Music Tech Lab, Recital Hall and downtown San Antonio music and church affiliates.

Music has always been an extension of myself. I am beyond grateful that God has allowed me to pursue my passion, and that all I intend to do glorifies him. I became a believer at a very young age, however I recommitted my life back to Christ in 2024. As our church's vision goes, Christ renews all things, and I can say that my life is truly a reflection of that.

As for my family, I am happily married to my husband Joshua Newlin, and we have a son to thank God for!

 My job is primarily a remote position, however I love to serve on campus at CBC. You will mostly catch us at the 11am service, so please say hi, as we love getting to know you all! God bless you.

Questions or concerns about our church's website or social media? Contact me!