New Life Staff
Click on each photo to learn more about our team!
Pastor Stan & Tiffani Cook
Pastor Stan & Tiffani Cook serve as our lead Pastors. Stan has been in ministry for 38 years!
Education:
B.S. in Church Administration (Southeastern University)
M.A. in Church Leadership (Southeastern University)
DMin. in Discipleship (Assemblies of God Theological Seminary)
Licensed and ordained with the Assemblies of God
Stan is also an author and teacher, as well as an avid sports fan and book reader. He and his wife, Tiffani, have 7 children and multiple grandchildren between them!
Stan and Tiffani have a desire to disciple others and see them grow in their walk with the Lord!
Stan & Tiffani Cook
Lead Pastors
Pastor Greg & Lori Rakes
Pastor Greg serves as our Executive Pastor and brings over 37 years of ministry experience to New Life.
Education:
B.A. in Secondary Education and Religion (Southeastern University)
M.A. in Biblical Literature (AGTS)
Ph.D. in Christian Education (International Theological Seminary)
Licensed and ordained with the Assemblies of God
He and his wife, Lori, have a passion for helping others grow in their relationship with Christ.
Greg Rakes
Executive Pastor
Pastor Marie & Rafael Rodriguez
Pastor Marie serves as our Children's Pastor who leads New Life Kids! She has served in children's ministry for over 30 years.
Education:
B.A. in Bible (Southeastern University)
M.A. in Ministerial Leadership (Southeastern University)
Licensed and ordained with the Assemblies of God
Before her time at New Life, Marie served as a Missionary for almost 20 years. Using their experience from the missions field, Marie and her husband, Rafael, share a heart for investing in the lives of the next generation.
Marie Rodriguez
Children's Pastor
Pastor Grant Bell
Pastor Grant serves as our Creative Arts Pastor, overseeing our media department and young adult ministry. He also shepherds your littles each week in New Life Kids' Jr. Church!
Education:
B.S. in Broadcasting (Southeastern University)
M.A. in Family Ministry (Southeastern University)
Licensed with the Assemblies of God
Before joining the team in 2024, Grant served as a Children's Pastor in Bartlett, TN, and Media Director in Plant City, FL.
Grant leads with creativity and a true heart for seeing lives changed through the power of the Gospel!
Grant Bell
Creative Arts Pastor
Pastor Jon & Kasey Rakes
Pastor Jon serves as our Worship Pastor here at New Life and has been on staff with us since January 2022.
Education:
B.S. in Music Education (Florida Southern College)
He and his wife, Kasey, love leading worship together and creating spaces where people can encounter God, grow in their faith, and experience His presence.
Jonathan Rakes
Worship Pastor
Pastor Rodney Mackey Jr.
Pastor Rodney serves as our Student Pastor with a passion for discipling the next generation and helping students grow in their relationship with Christ.
Education:
B.S. in Philosophy & Religion (Florida A&M University)
M.Div. in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Southeastern University)
Rodney is dedicated to creating engaging, biblically-grounded environments for students. He desires to see young people discover their identity, purpose, and calling in God.
Rodney Mackey JR.
Student Pastor
Pastor Dakota & Hope Knutson
Pastor Dakota serves as our Connections Pastor here at New Life, overseeing the Greeter Team and future Missions Trips.
Education:
B.S. in Practical Theology (Southeastern University)
B.S. in Organizational Leadership (Southeastern University)
Licensed and ordained with the Assemblies of God
Before taking on this role, Dakota served as a youth pastor for five years. He and his wife, Hope, love building relationships and helping people feel connected within the church as they walk out their faith!
Dakota Knutson
Connections Pastor
Rhonda & Chad McGinnis
Rhonda serves as the Principal of Sparrow Academy, a K4 - 12th Grade School on our campus that approaches learning through the lens of healing and emotional regulation.
Education:
B.S. in Education (Southeastern University)
M.A. in Organizational Leadership with Ministry Emphasis (Southeastern University)
Licensed and ordained with the Assemblies of God
Rhonda and Chad have served in full-time ministry for over 30 years. Throughout her ministry career, Rhonda has served in a variety of pastoral roles, including Worship Pastor and Executive Pastor. She has a passion to align vision with practice, fostering both congregational vitality and organizational health.
Rhonda McGinnis
Sparrow Academy Principal
We'd love to MEET you soon!
Assemblies of God Church in Lakeland, Florida, providing opportunities for others to encounter God, connect with people, and share the hope of Jesus!
Sunday Services:
8:30 + 10:50 AM, 6:00 PM
Small Groups:
Wednesdays - 6:30 PM
Sundays - 9:45 AM
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