Leadership

Pastors & Staff

Tom Johnson

Lead Pastor

Pastor Tom is a 1985 graduate of North Central Bible College and is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He has been married to his wife Malissa for over 30 years, and they have five adult children and several grandchildren. Pastor Tom and his family have ministered in Red Wing since 1996. 

Ben Johnson

Executive and Teaching Pastor

Pastor Ben graduated from North Central University in December of 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies and is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He married Hannah Johnson in December of 2012. Ben and Hannah started off their ministry together in Rochester, where Ben served as an Associate Pastor for over a year. Ben was the Youth Pastor in Red Wing  from 2014-2022 and is now the Executive and Teaching Pastor. Ben and Hannah have two young boys.

Angel Bechel

Children's Pastor

After finishing her education from Global University and MNDSOM, Pastor Angel received her Certified Ministers License in April of 2011, in 2014 her License to Preach, and In the year 2017, she was officially ordained. She interned at New River for three years as the Children’s Pastor's Assistant before becoming the Children’s Director and is now the Children's Pastor.

Pastor Angel and Brandon Bechel were married in 2011 and have three children. Caleb, Reuben, and Eternity.

Grahm Johnson

Youth Pastor

Pastor Grahm graduated from North Central University in May of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies and is a licensed minister through the Assemblies of God. He married his wife, Libertie, in April of 2021. Pastor Grahm and Libertie started off their ministry journey at Destination Church in Baraboo, Wisconsin as the Next-Gen. Pastor working with kids and teens. He is now serving here at New River as the Youth Pastor as of June, 2022.

Zack Partello

Office Manager/Creative Director

Zack graduated high school in 2018 and did one year of college for graphic design. He has been making videos and graphics for Encounter Youth since 2013. In 2020 he joined the Sunday Morning sound/visuals team and took over the live stream portion. In June of 2022, Zack became our Office Manager. He continues to film and edit videos for New River Productions and Encounter Youth Films.