Dave Bowman, senior pastor
Dave Bowman is the founding and senior pastor of New Horizon Church. Dave is known for his relevant and creative teaching. Dave and his wife, Susan, have lived in Durham since 1986 when they moved here from Hampton, Virginia, to plant what is now NHC. Dave's teaching and leadership are fueled by his passion for reaching unchurched people in the Triangle region.
If you'd like to know a little more about Dave and see what's on his mind, check out his blog at www.davebowmanonline.com.
Jamie McDonald, executive pastor
As executive pastor, Jamie is the Mr. Spock to Dave's Captain Kirk, providing primary leadership for the staff of New Horizon Church. On a much more interesting note: "baby blue was the color of her eyes...baby blue like the color of those skies..." Baby Blue like the color of the most awesome college basketball team ever!
Jamie is married to the beautiful and quite tall Lauren, and together they are rearing the most talented Bichon Frise/Toy Poodle mix ever, Baislee McRup! For more musings from Jamie, visit jamiecmcdonald.com.
Cathy Heitzenrater, family pastor
"Bigger-Louder-Messier!" is the concept of New Horizon Kids' Ministry-and it also accurately describes Cathy and her family! At 6'9", her husband Craig is bigger-Cathy is sure louder-and their son Noah likes to be messier! Cathy and her family moved east from California this year to join the team here at NHC.
Her passion to make church fun for kids and to reach the unchurched families of the Triangle fuels all we do in New Horizon Kids!
You can catch her on Sundays turning on the fog machine, playing in the body bumpers, or chasing kids with Nerf shooters-so come by and say Hi!
Leah Rade, community pastor
Leah's "life-song" is that people matter-and she wants each person she encounters to know just how much they matter to God. Propelled by Jesus' great commandment to love God and love people, Leah is dedicated to serve everyone and to help everyone grow. Living in community within a small group is the only way to live life!
She and her husband, Mike, discovered the powerful experience of "doing life" in a small group 20 years ago and have lived their lives in and through community groups ever since.
Mike and Leah have been married for 26 years and have two awesome adult children, Alana and Michael. They also love animals and share their lives with two ugly-but-wonderful dogs and two cats. You can discover more about Leah and her family at leahrade.com.
Adam Cook, connections pastor
Adam Cook serves as Connections Pastor at NHC. In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of connecting people to God and the church. Adam believes everyone has a next step – he sees his job as an opportunity to help people take that next step in their relationship with God.
Adam comes from a background in Youth Ministry, where he prides himself in the reputation he has spent many years establishing – that he will eat anything for a dollar. His favorite mantra is from 1 Timothy 4:12, when God says, "Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity."
He holds a degree in Science from Averett University and Pastoral Studies from Southwestern College, certificates in Youth and Theology and Non-Profit Management from Princeton Theological Seminary and Virginia Commonwealth University, respectively, and completed licensing training through the United Methodist Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Adam and his wife Valorie have one daughter, Olivea, three dogs, one cat and several chickens.
