New Life Staff

  • Tim & Melinda Halstead

    Senior Pastor

    Tim and Melinda Halstead met years ago in a Singles group at church, developed a deep friendship, eventually married, and have shared in ministry for over 4 decades.  The ministry-sharing was taken to another level in 2005 when they moved from The Woodlands, Texas to Odessa, Texas to plant New Life Church.  Tim and Melinda are partners in ministry, in shepherding, in mentoring and, of course, in parenting.  They give God the glory for their children’s journeys of faith and marvel at “how much better they are at this age than we were”.  Son, Mitch & his wife Kayla, are in Chattanooga, Tennessee where Mitch is a youth minister and Kayla is a teacher.  They are parents of 9-year old Hunter Reid. Son, Conner, is a youth minister in Conroe, Texas where in spring of 2019 he transitioned from bachelorhood to instant family man when he married Lindsey and her precious children, Elle and Jude. Then in October 2020, they were blessed with baby Charlotte Elizabeth! Daughter, Darci Armstrong (married to Brance, who works for Beltway Park Church in Abilene), works for her alma mater, Abilene Christian University, where she is the Director of New Student Enrollment, Campus Visits, Special EventsTim is an extrovert who enjoys people, going to the movies, working out, Mexican food, and long road-trips.  He's a news and podcast junkie.  Melinda functions as an extrovert and loves people, but is fueled while alone.  She loves long morning quiet time and at least two silent/solo retreats per year.  She loves relaxing vacations (especially at the beach on "Sistercation"), laughing really hard, reading (or listening to) a good book, and anything involving time with the kids.  In the past few years, Tim & Melinda have been called to the ministries of spiritual formation (Tim) and spiritual direction (Melinda) and have individually gone through different 18-month programs for certification in these areas which are helpful in ministering and loving people.

  • Erica Solis

    Kids Director

    Erica serves as the Kids Pastor at New Life Church. Erica has a deep passion for leading our kids into knowledge of Christ. She has experienced in her own family how the seed of faith planted in children can lead the whole family closer to God. Her husband Jesus (Jesse) enjoys serving on the audio/visual team here at New Life and they have 3 beautiful kids, Molly, Marco and Mabel.

  • Derie Tohkubbi

    Mid-Level Task Ticker

    Derie serves part time on staff as church secretary AKA "Mid-Level Task Ticker" at New Life Church. While Derie has a Bachelors Degree in Accounting, she much rather prefers being out and about and serving New Life Church.  Derie enjoys getting her hands into crafts of all kinds, but crochet and jewelry making are her favorites! Don, Derie's husband, works full time, but serves in New Life's children's ministry teaching the "littles" as they give him much joy and they are all his favorites! Derie's oldest, Ethan, lives in Odessa and is currently the Assistant Orchestra Director at Permian High School. Hayden is currently enrolled at Odessa College pursuing an Associates degree in Mathematics and will transfer to a 4 year University to complete a Bachelors in the future.  Don has two grown sons, Justin and Jordan, that work and serve in the community of Midland/Odessa


    Don and Derie are growing in their love for the Lord and each other.  They are both involved in multiple life groups, Bible studies and making Bible reading a favorite past time.