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.

James Jean

Worship Pastor

James and Monica met in 1993 while attending Southwest Texas State University, and were married in 1995. Together they have two children, Hannah and Ethan. While worship has predominantly been James' passion in ministry, the two have served together in youth ministry for nearly 10 years.

James has been leading worship full-time for over 15 years. This journey began in Austin and has taken him and his family across the country on several occasions, serving as a Creative Arts Pastor and Worship Leader in churches in North Carolina and the Washington D.C. area. Being Texas natives, the Jeans are happy that Austin is once again home base.

As an artist, James has been invited to lead worship and perform at national music festivals from Nashville to Saddleback Church in Orange County, CA. As a songwriter, James encourages worshippers to marvel and wonder at the mysterious, miraculous, loving nature of our God. He has also written songs that challenge those to worship God through the storms of life.

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.