What is a missional community?
Missional Communities are families of missionaries who live out the gospel together in such a way that we call ‘missions’. While in a missional community you will care for one another as you reach out to the community, serve and grow together.
Interested in More information?
We have groups in Newton, Hickory, Maiden and surrounding areas. Each group has a declared mission.
Click below to have one of our leaders contact you with more information.
Click below to have one of our leaders contact you with more information.
Meet our group leaders
Our Missional Community leaders are dedicated to caring for the families and individuals in their groups.
They'd love to get to know you!
They'd love to get to know you!
MIKE & CHRISTEL ALLEN
CENTRAL NEWTON
Mike and Christel have been leading this group for several years. They were high-school sweethearts before their wedding in Western N.Y. They lived in New England and Florida before settling in NC over 10 years ago. Both Mike and Christel are educators. Mike is a math teacher at Newton-Conover High School while Christel is a former biology teacher. They have 2 sons in college.
They both have a passion for serving and are involved in several ministries at VerticalLife.
In their spare time, they enjoy fixing up their 140 year old house and solving graphic adventure/puzzle video games together.
Declared Mission: Praying for staff and students on the premises of Newton-Conover High School; Coordinate Light in the Darkness event (10/31)
Mike and Christel have been leading this group for several years. They were high-school sweethearts before their wedding in Western N.Y. They lived in New England and Florida before settling in NC over 10 years ago. Both Mike and Christel are educators. Mike is a math teacher at Newton-Conover High School while Christel is a former biology teacher. They have 2 sons in college.
They both have a passion for serving and are involved in several ministries at VerticalLife.
In their spare time, they enjoy fixing up their 140 year old house and solving graphic adventure/puzzle video games together.
Declared Mission: Praying for staff and students on the premises of Newton-Conover High School; Coordinate Light in the Darkness event (10/31)
Kevin & Valerie Johnson
LINCOLNTON/DENVER
Kevin and Val have been leading this group for several years. They have been married for over 30 years. Kevin is one of VerticalLife’s elders. They have 4 adult children and one beautiful granddaughter.
They are both nurses by training — Kevin works as an oncology/ infusion nurse at Atrium Health-Lincoln and Valerie volunteers her time in pro-life ministry performing ultrasounds. They previously served as medical missionaries. Since returning to the USA in 2003, they have been a part of several church plants. In a very real sense, Kevin and Valerie consider themselves to be church planters who happen to be nurses.
In their spare time they enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with family.
Declared Mission:
Hesed House
Kevin and Val have been leading this group for several years. They have been married for over 30 years. Kevin is one of VerticalLife’s elders. They have 4 adult children and one beautiful granddaughter.
They are both nurses by training — Kevin works as an oncology/ infusion nurse at Atrium Health-Lincoln and Valerie volunteers her time in pro-life ministry performing ultrasounds. They previously served as medical missionaries. Since returning to the USA in 2003, they have been a part of several church plants. In a very real sense, Kevin and Valerie consider themselves to be church planters who happen to be nurses.
In their spare time they enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with family.
Declared Mission:
Hesed House
GARRETT & AMY CARTER
SOUTHEAST NEWTON
Garrett is a Cyber Security Engineer and Amy is a homeschooling mom and teacher. They re currently also very involved as part of the VerticalLife Youth Ministry leadeership team. Garret also helps lead the the media ministry on Sunday mornings.
They've been a blended family since 2016 and have recently moved back to Newton from Lincolnton
Declared Mission:
To share in word and deed the life-transforming message of the Gospel with our neighbors and friends. (Luke 14:23)
Garrett is a Cyber Security Engineer and Amy is a homeschooling mom and teacher. They re currently also very involved as part of the VerticalLife Youth Ministry leadeership team. Garret also helps lead the the media ministry on Sunday mornings.
They've been a blended family since 2016 and have recently moved back to Newton from Lincolnton
Declared Mission:
To share in word and deed the life-transforming message of the Gospel with our neighbors and friends. (Luke 14:23)
Seth & Cassie Gabriel
NORTH CONOVER
Seth and Cassie have recently taken over leading this group which has been established for several years. They are new parents to a beautiful daughter born in 2024. Seth serves at VerticalLife as deacon and treasurer. Cassie is an elementary school teacher.
Declared Mission:
To identify and meet the tangible needs of those in our community in order to share the Good News with others.
Seth and Cassie have recently taken over leading this group which has been established for several years. They are new parents to a beautiful daughter born in 2024. Seth serves at VerticalLife as deacon and treasurer. Cassie is an elementary school teacher.
Declared Mission:
To identify and meet the tangible needs of those in our community in order to share the Good News with others.
JOSH AND JENNA KAPPES
STARTOWN
Josh and Jenna have been leading this group for several years. Josh is currently one of VerticalLife Church’s elders. This group is located in the Startown area. Jenna is a leads several Women's ministry bible studies each year and is a stay at homeschooling mom.
There whole family are huge supporters of the pro-life ministry LoveLife.
Declared Mission:
Love Life - Mentoring moms who choose life and promoting that VerticalLife is a House of Refuge in our community.
Josh and Jenna have been leading this group for several years. Josh is currently one of VerticalLife Church’s elders. This group is located in the Startown area. Jenna is a leads several Women's ministry bible studies each year and is a stay at homeschooling mom.
There whole family are huge supporters of the pro-life ministry LoveLife.
Declared Mission:
Love Life - Mentoring moms who choose life and promoting that VerticalLife is a House of Refuge in our community.
PAUL AND PAT LANGFORD
THE KNOLLS - NEWTON
This group has recently begun meeting in 2024. Paul and Pat Langford are founding members of VerticalLife. Paul is one of our elders who also our oversees Sunday morning logistics. Paul works in IT and is a co-owner of Core Martial Arts in Newton. Together, Paul and Pat are raising two teenagers.
Declared Mission:
Terra Bella Nursing Home - Ministering to residents in various ways.
This group has recently begun meeting in 2024. Paul and Pat Langford are founding members of VerticalLife. Paul is one of our elders who also our oversees Sunday morning logistics. Paul works in IT and is a co-owner of Core Martial Arts in Newton. Together, Paul and Pat are raising two teenagers.
Declared Mission:
Terra Bella Nursing Home - Ministering to residents in various ways.