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.
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.
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.
DARREN METTLER | Elder Candidate
NOAH ILLIG | Elder Candidate
Noah has had the joy of calling Union Church home since our pre-launch days of late 2017 and has been leading our young adults ministry since 2020. God saved him in high school and shortly afterward gave him a desire for pastoral ministry, leading him to jump into the life of a local church and earn his Biblical & Theological Studies degree from Biola University. Professionally, Noah has been in the recruiting industry for several years and lives in San Clemente with his wife Kate and their 5 kids. His greatest aim in ministry is to see Jesus Christ magnified in the hearts and lives of young men and women.
Noah has had the joy of calling Union Church home since our pre-launch days of late 2017 and has been leading our young adults ministry since 2020. God saved him in high school and shortly afterward gave him a desire for pastoral ministry, leading him to jump into the life of a local church and earn his Biblical & Theological Studies degree from Biola University. Professionally, Noah has been in the recruiting industry for several years and lives in San Clemente with his wife Kate and their 5 kids. His greatest aim in ministry is to see Jesus Christ magnified in the hearts and lives of young men and women.
BRENNEN LEFTWICK | Elder Candidate
Brennen grew up in San Diego and came to know Christ around the age of 18. He met his wife, Hannah, in high school, and they later attended Biola University together, where Brennen graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He spent several years of his career in sales before launching his own recruiting firm, which he now co-owns. He and Hannah have lived in San Clemente since 2016 and began attending Union Church in 2018. They have been blessed with five children, and their home is often filled with music, lively conversation, and the joys that come with having a big family.
Brennen enjoys surfing and beach days with his family and friends, hiking, reading, and good conversations that help people see more of the beauty of Jesus and the gospel.
Brennen grew up in San Diego and came to know Christ around the age of 18. He met his wife, Hannah, in high school, and they later attended Biola University together, where Brennen graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He spent several years of his career in sales before launching his own recruiting firm, which he now co-owns. He and Hannah have lived in San Clemente since 2016 and began attending Union Church in 2018. They have been blessed with five children, and their home is often filled with music, lively conversation, and the joys that come with having a big family.
Brennen enjoys surfing and beach days with his family and friends, hiking, reading, and good conversations that help people see more of the beauty of Jesus and the gospel.
Staff & Ministry Leads
LARISSA HEWITT
Women's Ministry Assistant
Women's Ministry Assistant
BRYAN BAIRD
Prayer Ministry
Prayer Ministry
JACK PAVLISIN
Setup Coordinator
Setup Coordinator
JEFF MARCHAND | Deacon
High School Director
High School Director
BRIAN HOWARD
Consultant
Consultant
Brian Howard serves as a consultant to the Elder Team, providing coaching, counsel, and assistance in strategic planning. 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. and the executive director of Acts 29. Brian lives in Southern California with his wife of 27 years, Chandra, and four children.