Bob Merwin

What brought you to New Life?

A passion to work with people in the North Bay with their unique and probing perspective on life. Also the opportunity to be part of a church that values fun & creativity as well as spirituality.

Who influenced you the most in this past year ?

My children with their enthusiasm, vulnerabilities & innocence as they relate with people & with God.

What was your most memorable moment in the past year ?

I forget.

Ministry Passion(s):

Watching people jump off the edge in to Jesus’ arms.

What do you appreciate the most about New Life?

I appreciate the emphasis on realness as opposed to pretense. The excitement of seeing God at work in people’s lives by bringing them hope & healing. Overall, I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate life with good friends.

What Can Always Make You Laugh?

A good comedian and my kids.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Some things can only be discussed face-to-face!

Volunteer of the Month & Why?

Tim McGlade & Randy Carpenter, New Life’s faithful facilitators of the Healing & Recovery Ministry. Staying strong & committed when things are going well & not turning & running when things are struggling. For their complete dedication & hard work to see lives strengthened & turned around, & resisting the temptation to just go through the motions.

Favorites:

Nonfiction Books:

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A` Kempis; Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli; What’s so Amazing about Grace by Philip Yancey and Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.

Fiction Books:

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis; Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger; and most books by Tom Clancy.

Historical (Dead) People:

Gotta tip my hat to Abraham Lincoln; Mother Teresa – what can you say…she lived it; and of course, all those dead Biblical folks are pretty impressive too!

Website Links:

Bozo Criminal of the Day

Petaluma River Cats Lacrosse

TV Shows:

“24” hands down (but The Apprentice has its moments & Extreme Makeover: Home edition always makes me cry – how dumb is that?)

Vacation Destination (even if you haven’t been there) and why:

Beaches where it’s hot and Mountains where it’s cold.

Day of the Week:

Sunday – football! Oh-yeah and church.

Additional information:

Bob is a Northern California native who prior to coming to New Life in 2002 was a youth pastor in Marin for 15 years, including serving as the director of “Acts 29,” a cooperative church ministry. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has been married to his wife, Brenda, for 21 years. Ask him what is his best accomplishment? Without missing a beat, he answers, “My three wonderful children!”