senior pastors:

Dr. Terry Knighten
Dr. Terry Knighten is the Senior Pastor of Renew Church in New Braunfels, Texas. A gifted communicator, Dr. Knighten and his wife Michelle received a mandate from God in the spring of 2006; to “Feed the Spiritually Hungry”. So began Celebrate Life Church. Having been involved in various capacities in ministries and churches for over twenty years, Dr. Knighten has a unique view of church as usual and presents the unadulterated message of God’s Grace and Agape Love in a fresh and liberating format. A highly sought after artist, Dr. Knighten uses his artistic creativity along with his musical gifting to inspire and empower others to embrace creativity to present the one true Gospel in variety of the arts.

Growing up in Central Florida, Dr. Knighten developed an uncanny musical ability early on. A highly talented guitarist, he was involved in several rock and roll bands before graduating high school. He was following the rock star life until being invited to an evangelistic Christian movie by a high school friend, where he made a personal decision to accept Christ as his Savior. Shortly thereafter, he began serving in leadership positions at churches over the next 10-15 years.

During a period of intense personal struggle, he became more personally aware of God’s agape love for him and fully embraced Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and all His Righteousness…”. Committed to this ‘life’ verse, Dr. Knighten laid down all of his own ambitions and talents to focus on his personal intimacy with God. As this intimate relationship grew, a door opened for him to meet and serve for years a man who would become his pastor, Greg Powe of Revealing Truth Ministries, Tampa, Florida. Pastor Powe and his wife Deborah remain a vital part of the Knighten’s life as mentors and friends.

Several years after relocating to Texas for a staff position at a growing church, Dr. Knighten and Michelle felt the Lord leading them to plant a church in New Braunfels, Texas. Seeking the counsel of their Pastor and others, they launched out. Expecting to begin with just their family they were emboldened with the first public meeting of around one hundred adults in attendance. Celebrate Life Church has shown astounding growth since then. Dr. Knighten focuses on spending time with God, and when he is not immersed in his Bible, is found spending time with his wife and family. For recreation, he especially enjoys time on the beach or on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Dr. Knighten and his family, wife Michelle, son Ashton and daughter Shelby, reside in the New Braunfels area near San Antonio, Texas.

Michelle Knighten
Pastor Michelle Knighten is co-pastor of Renew Church in New Braunfels, Texas. She and her husband Dr. Terry Knighten are both from Florida; however, in the spring of 2006 they heard a clear voice from the Lord telling them to begin a church in New Braunfels, Texas. Pastor Michelle has a gift for seeing and speaking clearly into the heart needs of people. Her ability to nurture someone while leaving no room for them to get into self pity uniquely positions her to lead people into a God dependent state. As she states her sole need is met in God which allows her to truly love everyone else.

Pastor Michelle grew up in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg area of Florida as the daughter of a church going family. Her dad served as a Baptist Deacon and Sunday School teacher. She was highly athletic growing up and still very active, sometimes found “shooting hoops” in the church parking lot. She attended college in St. Petersburg and began a successful singing career, performing at churches, traveling to conferences and appearing on television. Shortly after her marriage to Dr. Knighten, she was pursued and offered a contract to travel with a nationally known singing group. Seeking the Lord she turned it down opting instead to focus on her role in the family. To date, she will periodically bless the church with a special music presentation or just join in on the praise team. She truly uses her God given talent for His glory not her own.

Pastor Michelle leads the Refresh Women’s Ministry, is involved with counseling to the body and serves a source of strength and refreshing to the Renew staff. At times, she is led to speak from the pulpit and the message that she brings always resonates with the members. Probably one of the most vital roles that she operates in is the one at home, providing a nurturing environment for her family.

Pastor Michelle and her family, Dr. Knighten, son Ashton and daughter Shelby reside in the New Braunfels area near San Antonio, Texas.

staff:

Pastor Nathan Rutherford: Graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas - Business Administration, serves as Chief Financial Officer and Youth Pastor.

Pastor Amy Rutherford: Graduate of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas – Social Work, serves as Executive Assistant to Senior Pastors and Creative Pastor.

Pastor Gerard Montenegro: Graduate of Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, serves as Children's Pastor, Director of Life Care828 and E3 Men’s Ministry.

Pastor Rolanda Montenegro: Graduate of Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, serves as Worship Leader and Creative Arts Director.

Pastor Nando Montoya: Co-pastor of Fuego, all Spanish service.

Pastor Anna Montoya: Co-pastor of Fuego, all Spanish service.

Pastor “H” Bill Rice: Graduate of Multnomah Bible College in Oregon, Former missionary to Mexico, serves as co-director of Life Force Ministry.

Pastor Jane Rice: Former missionary to Mexico, serves as Co-director of Life Force Ministry.