Our Team

Chris and his wife Molly are the proud parents of Julia, Elisha, Zeke, and Jonas. The Sheltons love neighboring, good food and music, most sports, exploring new places, enjoying the outdoors, and almost all things from their home state of North Carolina (Go Tar Heels!). They're also quickly adapting to life as Husker fans (Gooooo Big Red!).

Chris earned his Masters degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and is a Doctorate in Ministry Candidate at Wheaton College (Ill.). In his 23 years of ministry, Chris has served in various pastoral and leadership roles with local churches, in addition to non-profit and para-church ministries. Before coming to New Cov in 2023, Chris served as Pastor of Local Missions and a Teaching Pastor with Westover Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.

As a pastor, teacher, and leader, Chris has a deep desire to mobilize and equip followers of Jesus to live missionally as ambassadors for Christ and the Gospel both locally and globally, while being a people who are unmistakably known by their love for Jesus, one another, and the world that God so loves.

A native of Lincoln, Troy has been on staff at New Cov since 2003, following six years as a high school science teacher. He met his wife Suz while serving in ministry with Young Life and they continue to enjoy ministering together. They have three children: Chloe (and son-in-law Ashton), Landon, and Rylan. As a family, the Hellers love sports and being active outdoors.

Troy is a big fan of iced coffee, bike rides, and cheering for the underdog. He’s passionate about getting to know people’s stories and helping them find community, which makes him a natural fit as our Pastor of Connections. Troy’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science Education, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Masters in Biblical Counseling.

Dr. Bret Welstead is a native Nebraskan who moved to Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska in 1996. He began attending New Cov in 2000 with his girlfriend Tracie. Tracie and Bret were baptized at New Cov in 2000, married here in 2001, and today their family includes three kids: Cole, Jack and Lucy. Bret enjoys just about anything to do with music, from listening to writing/arranging to performing with others. When the pandemic hit, Bret and his sons formed a band to entertain neighbors from their driveway. His favorite food is spicy, his favorite recent movie is Dune, and his favorite book is whatever he just finished. As the Pastor of Worship & Creative Arts at New Cov since 2006, Bret encourages and equips musicians and other artists, plans and facilitates worship services, and teaches from the platform and in the classroom. In 2016 he earned his Doctor of Worship Studies degree.

Brent has been on staff at New Cov since 2010 after doing college student ministry for 16 years with Cru and teaching seminary classes for three years. His desire is to see people develop the character of Jesus and live lives of meaningful impact. Brent and his wife, Jenni, have two children, Chloe and Phoebe. In their free time, the Watsons enjoy board games, music, and anything involving a swimming pool. A graduate of the University of Kansas, Brent is a fan of Jayhawk basketball. He also enjoys guitars, 80s hard rock, sci-fi, and technology.

Suz Heller is a native Nebraskan who moved to Lincoln to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University, studying Religion and Sociology with the goal of doing student ministry. She began attending New Cov in 1998 as a college student. She met Troy Heller, her future husband, while leading Young Life together, and they were married in 2000. They have 3 kids: Chloe (who is married to Ashton), Landon, and Rylan. Suz loves kids, soccer, riding bikes, and games! She also loves traveling with her family and spending time with friends.

Before becoming the Children’s Ministry Director in 2021, Suz served on staff leading the Middle and High School Youth Groups.

Anitra and her husband Chad are long-time New Cov members and Nebraska natives. They live vicariously through their three grown children, and enjoy traveling together as a family. In her free time, you will find Anitra helping on the tech team, baking, taking a walk, or reading a good book with coffee in hand.

Anitra joined the team in 2024, bringing with her a background in Graphic Design. She works behind the scenes to keep information current, relevant, and presented in a way that helps people connect with each other and with Jesus.

Ashton is a native Nebraskan who has always lived near or in Lincoln. He has been a Young Life volunteer since 2021, where his friendship began with his wife Chloe. He loves going to the movies (he'll even happily go alone) and enjoys spending his mornings in silence with a cup of coffee and Scripture. Ashton is currently set to graduate with a Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies and a Master’s in Biblical Counseling in December of 2026. He previously worked with the Middle School Ministry at First Free Church and as a biblical counselor with the Biblical Counseling Hub.

Ashton joined the Student Ministry team in a part-time capacity in May of 2025 and moved into the role of Student Ministry Coordinator in May of 2026. He coordinates Youth Wednesday and Sunday night programming, creates curriculum, and equips youth volunteers, all while shooting hoops and making deep connections with students.

Mary Friesen is a native Nebraskan who moved to Lincoln in 1998 to study advertising at UNL. For 10 years she worked at the HobbyTown Corporate Office as a Media Buyer/Convention Planner and published a direct mail quarterly coupon magazine for 11 years. Mary and her husband, Joel, have three children: Grey, Maya, and Josie. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, doing puzzles, reading, organizing, and going on morning walks.

Mary started attending New Cov in 2019 and came on staff in 2023 as Financial Administrator before moving to Director of Office and Operations in 2026. She provides leadership and oversees the church’s daily operations, administration, and finances, ensuring New Cov’s ministries are supported effectively and resources are stewarded wisely.