Richard Neusch

Senior Pastor

Richard and Sylvia met as students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. They were married in 1981 and left that same year to accept their first pastorate. Richard and Sylvia pastored churches in Washington State for nine years, and their two children, Adrienne and Jared, were born in Richland, Washington.

Hungry for more of the Holy Spirit, Richard and Sylvia left their denomination in 1990 and moved to Austin, Texas – Richard's home town – to become part of a church where the Holy Spirit was moving in a powerful way. This began a difficult 10 year "desert" training time for Richard and Sylvia where God began removing old mindsets and replacing them with His heart and plan for their lives. They came to value character over gifting, heart transformation over outward performance, and intimacy with Jesus as foundational to their ministry. The grace and compassion of the Father's heart is a common thread that runs throughout the ministries of their church. They each have a deep desire to see God's Kingdom established here on earth as it is in heaven.

True Life Fellowship was birthed in 2005 and is a reflection of the many things that God has poured into the hearts of Richard and Sylvia.

As Senior Pastor, Richard oversees the Elders and staff, and closely works with the Men's Ministry and the Transformation Ministry. Richard is a gifted speaker and has the ability to make the truths of God's word applicable and practical for everyday life. His strong pastoral gifting causes people to feel loved and encouraged.

Sylvia Neusch

Associate Pastor

Sylvia oversees the Women's Ministry and especially enjoys seeing women grow in their true identity and be released to walk in their destiny. She also oversees the Watchman on the Wall (W.O.W.) the prayer ministry. Sylvia enjoys mentoring and counseling, and also oversees the Transformation Ministries at True Life.

Richard and Sylvia met as students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. They were married in 1981 and left that same year to accept their first pastorate. Richard and Sylvia pastored churches in Washington State for nine years, and their two children, Adrienne and Jared, were born in Richland, Washington.

Chris Johnson

Youth Pastor

Christopher Johnson is the Youth Pastor at True Life Fellowship. He and his wife Emily were married in November of 2009. Both Christopher and Emily are very passionate about discipling youth and reaching the nations with the good news of the Gospel. They both have been involved in local ministries such as the Round Rock House of Prayer (RockHOP) and Jubilee World Missions.

In addition to being the Youth Pastor at True Life Fellowship, Christopher and his wife Emily own and operate their own fly fishing business called Living Waters Fly Fishing located in Round Rock, Texas. The fly fishing shop and fishing guide service is a ministry in the form of a small business and a portion of every sale goes directly into funding foreign mission efforts.

Aimee Reed

Elementary Children's Pastor

Aimee and James met in 1986 while attending Woods Chapel Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas. Together they first served children, with her father, in apartment ministry where they saw God touch many lives with the gospel. They were married in 1988 where within the first six years they were blessed with four amazing boys and by their 10th wedding anniversary celebration, a baby girl was expected. This naturally planted a strong desire to be involved with children’s ministry in their local church.

After moving to the Austin area in 1998 they continued to serve by leading a Sunday night children’s program called ‘Kingdom Kids’ at Central Baptist Church. After co-teaching for several years they were asked to be on staff as children’s pastors with Church of the Springs, in Dripping Springs, Texas.

Within a year of returning from an eight week Serbian mission trip in 2007, where they again worked with children and youth, they sensed God call them back into Round Rock. Aimee came on staff with True Life Fellowship in February 2009 where, faithfully, a team of teachers serves along with her to give each child the opportunity to know the Father and have an encounter with Jesus.
 

Cristy Abels

Nursery/Preschool Children's Pastor

Cristy Abels was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and grew up in a Christian family where she learned about our wonderful savior. She met her husband Jared in Buenos Aires, while he was there doing mission work. Both of them worked together in children's ministry and with the youth group. They became best friends and were soon married a year later (now ten years ago).

Cristy has a teacher's heart and has experience teaching as an elementary school teacher, nursery child care worker and high school Spanish instructor as well as leading Bible studies, creating teaching curriculum and helping to serve with our congregation here.

Jared's and Cristy's hearts are for the nations. They have worked in a Spanish church in Fort Worth, a local mission effort called The Storehouse, and they currently lead the missions ministry at True Life Fellowship. They have three not-so-Argentine looking children, Eliana (6), Jazmin (4) and Jonatan (2). And they all love spending time outdoors, camping, hiking, and simply enjoying God's creation.

Ken Strauss

Worship Pastor

Ken was raised in a family where music was a constant theme between school and church. His mother sang professionally and inspired a childhood of singing and trying out every kind of instrument he could get his hands on. Ken and his wife, Dora, met in 1981, and music together began. They were married in 1982 and the music played on at home and in various music ministries over the years. Their first experience leading worship was singing a cappella from the hymnal in the little German Evangelical Free Church in Chicago where they began their walk with Jesus.

Music took on a whole new meaning for Ken and Dora when they said “yes” to the Holy Spirit. Worship became the main focus of music in their growing family. Over the years, Ken sang and played in multiple worship bands, choirs, leading and doing backup vocals. Dora and many of their 9 children have also been involved in music ministry all along. As Worship Pastors at True Life fellowship they have stepped into a new season in this lifelong calling and passion.

Worship is an everyday, all the time, event in the life of the believer who has been enraptured by the love of Papa God. At True Life we appreciate and encourage all the various forms of praise and worship, be it song, instruments, dance, painting, flags, soaking....the list goes on and on, as it is all worship to the One who alone is worthy of all praise. Our goal at True Life is to welcome and foster the presence of God in every gathering and encounter His loving embrace as we rest in Him and see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.