ABOUT US

New England Chapel is a refreshingly different church. We are different because we believe it is not necessary to be religious to have faith. We would go so far as to say religiosity, or legalism, is what keeps someone from experiencing the love of Jesus and growing as a person. NEC does everything it can to help everyone experience God, understand the Bible, and live out faith in difference-making ways. Our weekend services, our small groups and Bible studies, our volunteer and community outreach opportunities are all designed to help anyone, whether you grew up in the church or are just checking it out for the first time.

At the core of the Christian faith is the idea that every human being is made in God's image. If this is true, then we are most fully alive and at our best selves when God is in our life. When living out the love of Jesus in everyday life, we become better and we bring out the best in those around us. NEC is a community of people committed to doing this.

While we consider our church a community of people, rather than just an organizaton, a building, or an hour on Sunday; it does help to have a staff! Here's a glimpse at our paid and volunteer staff members (above the line) and our leadership board (below the line).

MEET OUR TEAM

Mike Laird

Senior Pastor

Born and raised in New England, Mike comes from both an Irish Catholic family on his dad’s side and Protestant family on his mother’s side. He has a business degree from Bentley University, and a master’s degree from Gordon-Conwell Seminary. It was there that he met Laura. They got to know each other while studying Greek on the beach and Mike proposed to her in their preaching class. In August of 1997, the day after their honeymoon, they moved to Franklin to help start New England Chapel. Mike and Laura have three kids.

Mike loves his wife and kids, good coffee, good beer, good food, and good conversation. Mike can root for both the Patriots AND Brady & Gronk. The only team he really hates is the Yankees.

Mike's favorite thing about God is his infinite ability to put up with us long enough for us to realize that he loves us and wants to include us in bringing the best out in the world... no matter how good or bad we are feeling or living. Mike's favorite thing about New England Chapel is how non-religious it is.

Cliff Winters

Adult Spiritual Growth Pastor

Cliff has a PhD in biblical studies and is professor of family ministries at Barclay Collegein Kansas (online--the commute was atrocious😂). He has served in various churches in Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Kentucky for nearly 20 years, before coming to NEC. He 💖s it here!! And Cliff is the proud, new author of an important book on Revelation (the last book in the Bible), a contributor to the Lexham Bible Dictionary, and he's written several articles as well (mostly on equally boring topics 🙂).

Cliff finds his greatest joy in teaching, though. Seriously, ask anybody. He can often be found teaching a church class on subjects like "relationships 101" or "the real Santa Claus" (Kids! Don't read this!! 😲 Too late... 😄) or leading trainings on how to teach and lead groups.

If you want to get more involved, email Cliff. If you want to join an adult group like Men's or Women's ministry or small groups, email Cliff. If you want to hear the story of how ol' Saint Nick got kicked out of the first ecumenical council for punching a guy...
...oh, OK, I'll tell you--but you have to keep it a secret!!

Heather Kempskie

Executive Pastor

Soon after becoming parents, Heather and her husband Kevin thought it was time to find a church and introduce their kids to some kind of faith as both of theirs had waned in their 20’s. They didn't know that upon entering NEC in 2007 that the course of their lives would change in new and unexpected ways.

Trained as a journalist with previous employment at non-profit agencies such as the American Red Cross, Heather found herself at a career junction. Meanwhile, her faith was building as a Kids Zone volunteer and in a woman to woman mentoring program. She thought God may be crazy when she was hired to serve as the Kids Zone Director at NEC (disclaimer, He is not) In 2016, she became the Family Ministries Director and in 2019 she became an ordained pastor. She recently earned her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Concordia University via the Townsend Institute and has been promoted (as of September 2022) to serve as Executive Pastor where she manages the day to day operations at NEC.

She has a special place in her heart for people new to faith - whether it’s a child or teen or an adult, and loves introducing people to NEC via her monthly Get to Know NEC sessions. Heather and Kevin love coming along side other couples as trained facilitators in Prepare & Enrich (a program to help couples and parents thrive).

Her son is studying business and finance at UNH, while her daughter pursues her BFA in Art Studio also at UNH. She is in New Hampshire a lot.

Kim Bradshaw

Guest Services

A natural connnector, Kim was eager to learn more about NEC when she walked through the doors in 2010. That's why her eventual role here is so perfect.

Most Sundays, you will find her at the Guest Services desk helping people navigate the space, find a small group or discover some cool volunteer opportunitty. And she doesn't like us to mention this, but her eye for design is all over the building - from the colors on the walls and tiles on the floor, to the furniture in the Cafe and the beautiful sign in the lobby, she wanted to create a welcoming space for all when we opened the doors of our new building in 2021.

Affectionately known to our youngest attendees as Candy Kim (yup, she's got candy at the desk!), she has been a resident of Franklin most of her life where she raised her son, Sam.

In her spare time, you'll find her cooking or enjoying the local music scene.

We can honestly say she can't wait to meet you.

Dena Gauthier

Restoration

There is a lot that makes Dena special, although she'd be the last to accept that compliment.

She is humble and smart and can assess any situation within minutes. This is particularly handy as she heads our Serve Days and mission trips. She instinctively knows how many volunteers will be needed and how long any project will take. To the minute. And she does it all with her heart set on our Heavenly Father and serving others.

Dena loves a round of golf, walking and gardening. And once that is all done, she'll enjoy a book or two.

She is also the staff nurse (she happens to be a retired one). She just smiles when one of us inevitably, shows her our arm, leg, face, neck and ask, "Is this normal?"

And in a way that only she can, she assures us that all will be fine.

JAKE HALPIN

Worship Leader

Jake was just a kid when he started to coming to NEC with his family in 2001. As a middle schooler, he found his passion for music through the trumpet. Sensing there may be a cooler instrument (our words, not his) he gravitated towards the guitar. Things got worse before they got better. When his sister got a guitar for Christmas one year, his jealously ended with a crime and the discovery that guitar was indeed his thing. After heading to college in Indiana, he returned and joined the NEC band. He plays drums and bass too and loves working with fellow NECers to create a unique experience for worship. In addition to his full-time job in the healthcare field, he also plays in another band. Check out The May St band at https://www.facebook.com/maystreetband.

NANCY MCDERMOTT

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Nancy lights up every room she walks into. As a longtime member of NEC, she recently took on the role of office admin adding her innate ability to 'organize and execute' to this hardy group of loving, but sometimes, disorganized team. Yet, each time she gets to the office she sweetly sings, "Honey, I'm home!" And indeed, she is.

She married a man from the neighborhood she grew up in, who was (and continues to be. Together, they raised twin daughters and enjoy vacationing, live concerts and entertaining friends and family.

Her beloved goldendoodle, Sandy, is now the office dog and entertains us with her ball chasing-catching abilities. And we deeply appreciate her guarding the office door. We are safe under her watch.

JOY MOON

KIDS ZONE DIRECTOR

Some people focus on their own tasks. Joy helps everyone with theirs. She is the first person to leap up when a staff member mentions there is a leak, strange bug or weird noise coming from the printer. She is a doer, a fixer and the best person to have on any team.

She knows the names of each child that comes through the Kids Zone doors and remembers their favorite color or what activity they enjoy most. Parents know their kiddos will be safe and have fun learning about God's great big love for them. And that is her greatest joy.

Joy loves to cook and we love that too. She comes to most staff meetings with something to share. She is a small group leader, a member of the women's ministry team and helps on numerous special projects.

She and her husband love traveling and spending time with their friends and family (including their three adult children and cute dog, Lucy!)

KIM MU CHOW

@NEC COORDINATOR

From training for the Pan Mass Challenge (an annual bike ride that raises funds to support cancer care and research at Dana Farber) to serving as a member of the Franklin Board of Health, you'll likely find Kim somewhere lending a helping hand. Her heart is big and her ideas are bigger. She works tirelessly to help NECers in need find resources and support through her many connections in the area.

Here's just one example: The PMC hosts thousands of riders with various stops along the route for food and rest. Not wanting that food to go to waste, Kim coordinated with the Y to borrow their truck, pick up the extra food, and bring it back to NEC. She invited local food pantries to swing by and take whatever they needed. Innovative and community-driven, Kim spends hours meeting with people going through difficult times, delivering meals via our Caring Meals ministry, or creating beautifully assembled fleece quilts to wrap people in the prayer via the Prayer Blanket Ministry.

Lester, her husband of 38 years and fellow PMCer, will often be by her side...or up in front of her on the ride warning her of upcoming pot holes on the route. Looking out for others, that's what they do.

JAKE PADGETT

YOUTH PASTOR

A native New Englander, Jacob has returned to his roots and his beloved Boston sports teams after living in Missouri.

He was hired after a lengthy, 18-month search for NEC's next youth pastor. Legend says, he knew it was the right fit as soon as he walked through the doors of the building. And we did, too!

It is hard to find a book he has not read. He loves tea, long hikes and gets to the office before anyone else. But his deepest passion is continuing to walk with students through the ups and downs of life.

In fact, he is doing his best to keep the rest of the staff "young" by patiently teaching us current catch phrases.

It's lit.

MEET OUR ELDERS

GREG HANDEL

ELDER

Member of NEC since: 2007

Professional life: Licensed Psychologist

Hobbies: Coaching Football, Fishing, Golf

What are your passions as it relates to NEC?: Men's Ministry - seeing men connect with and support one another in deepening their relationship with Christ, with family, co-workers and other important relationships in their lives.

Favorite scripture: Matt. 16:24-25

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Email: greg@newenglandchapel.org

MATT KELLY

ELDER

Member of NEC since: 2007

Professional life: Controller

Hobbies: All things family and close friends, whether it be Sunday dinners with extended family, weekends away with my in-laws or a day at the park with the kids.

What are your passions as it relates to NEC? My main passion is the mission, I was the guy who had given up on church and I even believed I had given up on God. NEC was a place that I was able to reconnect with God in a meaningful and purposeful relationship. Our mission is important and we need to always be thinking about not just those in our walls currently but those outside our walls who don’t even know they are missing out on a relationship with God. I am also passionate about our restorations efforts outside our walls as these are extremely important to Gods calling for us as Christians.

Favorite scripture: Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Email: matt@nechapel.org

Julie Paine - Elder advisor

Member of NEC since: 1997 (founding member)

Professional life: Licensed Social Worker, Director of Non-Profit Family Services Organization

Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, traveling, spending time with family, friends, and neighbors

What are your passions as it relates to NEC? I love the mission of NEC and how we live out the mission in all we do at NEC and in our homes and communities - receiving the grace and love of God and pouring that out on everyone around us through our words and actions. I love how NEC lives that out and teaches what that looks like. 

Favorite scripture: Ephesians 5:1b-2 

TODD SANISLOW

ELDER

Member of NEC since: 2006

Professional life: After a 26 year career with Verizon and its predecessor companies, Todd now provides Language Services (interpreters and document translation) for healthcare and in the enterprise space.

Hobbies: Spending time with my family anywhere, skiing and boating.

What are your passions as it relates to NEC? Supporting an environment that fosters the development of real and lasting friendships founded in a shared desire to know Jesus.

Favorite scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Email: todd@nechapel.org