Pastoral Staff

Dr. Ryan Johnson
Lead Pastor | Founder
Pastor Ryan and his wife, Megan, planted New City Church from scratch in 2015. As Lead Pastor, Ryan is the visionary leader of New City, serving as Moderator of the Session, President of the organization, and head of the Teaching Team, Creative Team, and Pastoral Staff. He is also the Executive Director of Metro Atlanta Collective, our local church planting network. Ryan and Megan have watched their family grow alongside the church, with four children who bring joy and energy to the community.

E. Brandon Dean
Associate Pastor
Pastor Brandon has been a part of New City Church since the initial Launch Team. As Associate Pastor, Brandon provides visionary leadership in the areas of Theology, Shepherding and Pastoral Care, Officer Development, and Prayer. Brandon also serves on the Liturgy Team, Creative Team, Teaching Team, and occasionally the Choir. Outside of his ministry at New City, Brandon cherishes time with his wife, their two daughters, son-in-law, and three grandchildren.

Patrick Choi
Family & Young Adults Pastor
Patrick and Erica have been a part of New City Church since just after we launched. As Assistant Pastor, Patrick oversees the Family and Young Adult ministries at New City. He and Erica built our student ministry from scratch and provide for the care and development of a team of youth leaders. Patrick is a regular part of our Liturgy Team and Teaching Team and serves in an advisory role on our Session. Since starting the student ministry at New City, Patrick and Erica have loved watching their family grow with two kids of their own.
Staff Team

Erica Choi
Engagement & Student Ministries Director
Erica and Patrick have been a part of New City Church since the early days. Together they developed our student ministry from the ground up and provide for the care and development of a team of youth volunteers. Erica also provides visionary leadership in the area of Engagement, guiding people from when they first visit New City until they are fully engaged and connected Covenant Partners within our church family. She is also a worship leader and part of our Liturgy Team. Outside of New City Church, Erica serves as the Director of Operations for Metro Atlanta Collective, our local church planting network. Since starting the student ministry at New City, Erica and Patrick have loved watching their family grow with two children of their own.

Kelsi Drake
Children's Ministry Director
Kelsi and her husband, Stephen, have been a part of New City Church since 2021. As the Children's Ministry Director, Kelsi provides organizational leadership to our children's ministry, New City Kids. At home, Kelsi and Stephen are busy raising their three children and enjoying family life together.

Nathan Dunn
Worship Director
Nathan and his wife, Megan, have been a part of New City Church since we were meeting in a Middle School. As our Worship Director, Nathan leads a team of talented musicians as they lead us in times of worship through song. He also gives leadership to our liturgy team and serves as a worship leader. A graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary, Nathan balances ministry with family life, enjoying life with Megan and their two young children.

Sherry Edwards
Operations Director
Sherry and her husband, Art, have been a part of New City Church since the launch team. As Operations Director, Sherry assists our staff team in creating memorable moments within the life of the church. She also comes alongside people during milestone moments like weddings and funerals. Sherry and Art love serving the church and making the most of family life with their two teenagers.

Bill Golden
Executive Director
Bill and his wife, Karen, have been a part of New City since we were still a portable church plant meeting at Richards Middle School. As our Executive Director, Bill provides for the care and development of the staff team. Bill provides leadership and oversight, as well as shepherding care, as a Ruling Elder on our Session. Outside of New City, Bill serves as Candidate Director for Mission to the World, the global missions arm of the Presbyterian Church in America. Bill and Karen love traveling and making memories with their two children and their spouses.

Megan Johnson
Discipleship Director | Founder
Megan and Ryan founded New City Church in 2015. As Discipleship Director, Megan provides visionary leadership in the area of our Discipleship Pathways, guiding the formation of life-on-life discipleship groups as well as community and connect groups. Megan also provides for the care and development of leaders. She is also a trusted voice on our Liturgy Team. Outside of New City Church, Megan is the director of Parakaleo in the Metro Atlanta region, a ministry that provides care and support for the wives of church planters. She also cherishes spending time outdoors with Ryan and their four children.

David Ly
Facilities Director
David and his wife, Jessica, a teacher at Providence Christian Academy, have been a part of New City Church since we were still meeting in a middle school. As our Facilities Director, David engages with the community, our ministry partners, and our Covenant Partners as they utilize the facilities and resources on our church campus. David also serves as a Deacon and usher at New City. At home, David and Jessica are busy raising their four children, keeping life lively and full.

Emily McAuliff
Assistant Children’s Ministry Director
Emily and her husband, Mike, have been a part of New City since the launch team days at Cornerstone Coworking. As Assistant Director of New City Kids, Emily provides support and organization for the volunteers and families. Outside of New City, Emily serves as Executive Assistant for Metro Atlanta Youth for Christ, a campus ministry reaching 11-19 year olds on public school campuses. Emily and Mike love reading, watching a ridiculous amount of YouTube, and traveling with their two daughters.

Kelly Shipp
Shepherding Care Director
Kelly and her husband Kenny joined the New City launch team in 2014 and Kelly joined staff at that time as the children's ministry director, and was director from 2013 to 2026. She and Associate Pastor Brandon Dean developed and launched the shepherding care team in 2022. As Shepherding Care Director, Kelly trains, equips, and leads a team of 13 women, under the oversight of the elders, to care for women in the church who are in crisis or need individual support. Kelly and her husband Kenny enjoy cooking and exploring a variety of cuisines together. They love being outdoors, watching good movies, and playing games with their three children.
Associate Staff Team

Caroline Almand
Special Needs Coordinator
Caroline has attended New City Church since 2020. In her role, Caroline provides support, connection, accommodations, and services to individuals with special needs, helping ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to be fully integrated into the life and ministry of NCC. Outside of New City, Caroline enjoys spending time with her daughter and serves as a special education teacher at Lions Learning Academy at Hebron Christian Academy.

Jacob Smith
Production Coordinator
Jacob & his wife, Jordyn, have been a vital part of our church for years, & we are so thankful to have him join the team. Check back soon for more information on Jacob.

John VandenOever
Missions Coordinator
John and his wife, Paula, have been a part of New City since 2020. As chair of our Missions team, John coordinates the team's communication with and about our local and global ministry partners, fostering a culture of missions for our church. Outside of New City, John serves as Director of Content and Strategic Communications for In Touch Ministries. When they’re not serving at church, John and Paula enjoy spending time with their five grown children.
Residents + Interns

Mitchell Brannan
Church Planting Resident
Mitchell and his wife, Hannah, have been part of New City Church since 2020. He is currently studying at Metro Atlanta Seminary and hopes to plant a church in the Gwinnett County area. As a Ruling Elder and Church Planting Intern, he serves on the Session, helping provide leadership and care for the church. He also serves on the Liturgy and Teaching Teams. At home, Mitchell and Hannah enjoy game nights, reading, playing piano and sports, and spending time together with their three children, as well as with friends and family.

Cam Chapman
College and Young Adults Intern
Cam is originally from Hoschton, Georgia, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Global Studies. She has also served as a chaplain for a collegiate women’s lacrosse team, where she had the opportunity to care for and encourage student-athletes.
Cam began attending New City in December 2024, shortly after getting engaged to her husband, Schyler, who has been part of New City for more than five years. As our College and Young Adult Intern, Cam is coming alongside students and young adults, at New City and local colleges, with the hope of leading discovery Bible studies, helping with any practical needs, and helping students and young adults grow in their faith.
Cam and Schyler enjoy watching the Braves, playing sports, Catan, and guitar. Cam also loves exploring local coffee shops—with Schyler happily along for moral support, despite not drinking coffee.
Cam began attending New City in December 2024, shortly after getting engaged to her husband, Schyler, who has been part of New City for more than five years. As our College and Young Adult Intern, Cam is coming alongside students and young adults, at New City and local colleges, with the hope of leading discovery Bible studies, helping with any practical needs, and helping students and young adults grow in their faith.
Cam and Schyler enjoy watching the Braves, playing sports, Catan, and guitar. Cam also loves exploring local coffee shops—with Schyler happily along for moral support, despite not drinking coffee.

Mike McAuliff
Pastoral Resident
Mike and his wife, Emily, were a part of the initial Launch Team for New City Church. Mike is a Pastoral Resident and is attending Reformed Theological Seminary. As a Ruling Elder, Mike provides leadership and oversight, as well as shepherding care, as a part of the Session. He is a regular part of the Liturgy Team and Teaching Team. Outside of New City, Mike serves as Executive Director of Youth for Christ in Atlanta and enjoys life with Emily as they raise their two teenage daughters.

Jorge Vallejo
Church Planting Resident
Jorge and his wife, Brittany, have been a part of New City Church since the initial Launch Team. Jorge is our first Church Planting Resident and is attending Metro Atlanta Seminary in preparation for planting an Hispanic-speaking church within Gwinnett County. Outside of New City Church, Jorge is the Executive Director of Upper90, a vibrant ministry within the Hispanic community - here in Gwinnett County and also in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. At home, Jorge and Brittany are busy raising their four children, keeping life lively and full.
The Session
PASTORS

Ryan Johnson
Teaching Elder

Brandon Dean
Teaching Elder

Patrick Choi
Teaching Elder
ELDER LEADERSHIP TEAM

Bill Golden
Ruling Elder

P.K. Martin
Ruling Elder

Alan Montgomery
Ruling Elder

Nathan Powell
Ruling Elder

Dave Raught
Ruling Elder
SHEPHERDING ELDERS

Joe Brand
Ruling Elder

Mitchell Brannan
Ruling Elder

Nathan Dunn
Ruling Elder

Billy Eutsey
Ruling Elder

Mike McAuliff
Ruling Elder

Brian Pettigrew
Ruling Elder

Jeff Thomas
Ruling Elder

Phil White
Ruling Elder
The Diaconate
DEACONS

Steven Sexton
Chairman

Kenny Shipp
Secretary

Andrew Bartlett

Schyler Chapman

Art Edwards

Landon Fischer

John Hudson

David Ly

Steve Vibert

