MEET THE TEAM

pastor aaron newman

Aaron serves as the lead pastor of Union Church. Aaron grew up in San Clemente, and was saved during college at age 19. In 2011 Aaron was part of the planting team for The Mission Church in Encinitas, where he served for six years as the college & young adult pastor. In 2017 Aaron and his wife Madeline were sent to begin the process of planting a Gospel-centered church back home in San Clemente — Union Church launched in March 2018. Aaron and Madeline live in San Clemente with their four young children, Haddon, Mabel, Laura, and Charlotte.

Elder team

AARON NEWMAN | Elder Team
Aaron is the planting and Lead Pastor of Union Church. Aaron and his wife, Madeline, live in San Clemente with their four children: Haddon, Mabel, Laura, and Charlotte. After serving on the planting team as the Young Adult Pastor for The Mission Church in San Diego, Aaron and Madeline moved back to San Clemente to begin the process of church planting. The church’s core team was established in late 2016 / early 2017, and Union Church launched in March, 2018. Aaron’s deepest desire is to help men and women know Jesus, grow in Jesus, and become builders of Jesus’ kingdom

MATT BANKS | Elder Team
Matt has been serving at Union Church since its launch in 2018. He has been married to his wife Shannon for 30 years and they have three grown children: Andrew, Evan, and Alysse. Matt retired from the fire service after a 30 year career. After his retirement he went back to school to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Ministries from Biola University, and he has been working in a mens discipleship ministry for the past six years. Matt is passionate about seeing Christians grow in their maturity as disciples of Christ in the context of the local church.
DANA DILL | Elder Team
Dana has been serving at UC since the core team phase, and currently oversees our music and youth ministries. A graduate from Biola University, Dana obtained an M.Div. from Talbot School of Theology. He currently works at Capistrano Valley Christian High School as a Bible and Theology teacher and at Biola University as an adjunct professor in the Bible, Theology, and Ministry program. He’s been married to his high school sweetheart, Chawna, for over 12 years and together they have three young daughters: Daisy, Penny, and Lottie. In all he does, his overwhelming hope is to help the church produce lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ who live to know Him and make Him known for God’s glory and their joy.
BRIAN HOWARD | Elder Team
Brian serves on the Elder Team for UC for outside oversight, coaching, and counsel. Brian has 25+ years of proven leadership experience as a leadership coach, nonprofit executive, church planter, lead pastor, and business owner. Brian has coached hundreds of leaders around the world. Brian is the executive director of Context Coaching Inc. the executive director of Acts 29. Brian lives in Southern California with his with wife of 27 years, Chandra, and four children.

Staff and ministry leads

LAURA KNOOP
Women's Leader
laura@unionchurchsc.com

JACK PAVLISIN
Set Up Team Overseer


MATT BANKS
Executive Ministry Director
matt@unionchurchsc.com

JEFF MARCHAND
High School Director

DANA DILL
Music Team Leader
dana@unionchurchsc.com

NOAH ILLIG
Young Adults Leader
noah@unionchurchsc.com
LARISSA HEWITT
Executive Assistant to the Lead Pastor/ Director of Union Kids
larissa@unionchurchsc.com
BRYAN BAIRD
Prayer Ministry Overseer