Mike laird

Senior Pastor

Born and raised in New England, Mike comes from both an Irish Catholic family on his dad side and Protestant family on his mother’s side. He has a business degree from Bentley University, and a masters degree from Gordon-Conwell Seminary. It was there that he met Laura. They got to know each other while studying Greek on the beach and Mike proposed to her in their preaching class. In August of 1997, the day after their honeymoon, they moved to Franklin to help start New England Chapel. Mike and Laura have three kids ages 18 to 12.

Mike loves his wife and kids, good coffee, good beer, good food, and good conversation. Mike can root for both the Patriots AND Brady & Gronk. The only thing he really hates is the Yankees.

Mike's favorite thing about God is his infinite ability to put up with us long enough for us to realize that he loves us and wants to include us in bringing the best out in the world... no matter how good or bad we are feeling or living. Mike's favorite thing about New England Chapel is how non-religious it is.

Cliff Winters

Adult Pastor

Cliff has a PhD in biblical studies and is professor of family ministries at Barclay College in Kansas (online--the commute was atrocious 😂). He has served in various churches in Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Kentucky for nearly 20 years, before coming to NEC. He 💖s it here!! And Cliff is the proud, new author of an important book on Revelation (the last book in the Bible), a contributor to the Lexham Bible Dictionary, and he's written several articles as well (mostly on equally boring topics 🙂).

Cliff finds his greatest joy in teaching, though. Seriously, ask anybody. He can often be found teaching a church class on subjects like "relationships 101" or "the real Santa Claus" (Kids! Don't read this!! 😲 Too late... 😄) or leading trainings on how to teach and lead groups.

If you want to get more involved, email Cliff. If you want to join an adult group like Men's or Women's ministry or small groups, email Cliff. If you want to hear the story of how ol' Saint Nick got kicked out of the first ecumenical council for punching a guy...
...oh, OK, I'll tell you--but you have to keep it a secret!!

🎅👊

Email: office@nechapel.org

Heather Kempskie

Executive Pastor

Soon after becoming parents, Heather and her husband Kevin thought it was time to find a church and introduce their kids to some kind of faith as both of theirs had waned in their 20s. They didn't know that upon entering NEC in 2007 that the course of their lives would change in new and unexpected ways.

Trained as a journalist with previous employment at non-profit agencies such as the American Red Cross, Heather found herself at a career junction. Meanwhile, her faith was building as a Kids Zone volunteer and in a woman to woman mentoring program. She thought God may be crazy when she was hired to serve as the Kids Zone director at NEC (disclaimer, He is not) In 2016, she became the Family Ministries Director and in 2019 she became an ordained pastor. She recently earned her Masters degree in Organizational Leadership at Concordia University via the Townsend Institue and has been promoted (as of September 2022) to serve as Executive Pastor where she manages the day to day operations at NEC.

She has a special place in her heart for people new to faith - whether its a child or teen or an adult and loves introducing people to NEC via her monthly Get to Know NEC sessions. Heather and Kevin love coming along other couples as trained facilitators in Prepare & Enrich (a program to help couples and parents thrive).

And you can find her touring business and art colleges as her growing kids look to pursue passions of their own.

Email: office@nechapel.org

Favorite verse: Luke 12

If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

Kim Bradshaw

Guest Services

Mission

To create a welcoming, warm and interactive atmosphere for new and existing NEC guests so they can connect to various faith opportunities and; experience what makes our community a unique place where each and every person feels and knows ‘they belong here’

Family: Mom to Sam (20)

Grew up: Franklin, MA. I left in 1999 and came back in 2007. Such a great community and great place to raise a family!

Favorite things: Being at the ocean, cooking food and decorating…..people and places!

Favorite part of the job: The community at NEC and helping people connect to God through volunteering and being a part of something bigger than themselves…..and the hugs!

What Kim likes to do for fun: traveling, concerts and being with family and friends (and anything where laughter ensues.)

Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 3

Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

Email:nextsteps@nechapel.org

Dena Gauthier

Restoration Liasion

Family: Oldest of three children, widowed, live in Marlborough

Grew up in: Utica, NY

Favorite things: Spending time with family, friends and my cat Isabelle

Favorite part of job: Helping people to get involved and experience the joy in serving!

What Dena likes to do for fun: Golf, snowshoeing , gardening, reading and serving!

Favorite verse: 1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in it's various forms.

Email: dena@nechapel.org

Joy Moon

Kids Zone Director

Mission

To support the families of New England Chapel by providing them with a safe, consistent, and fun environment for their kids to learn about and experience God's great big LOVE.

Family: Husband - Michael, and three (now adult) kids: Maddie, Katie, and Andrew.

Grew up in: Baltimore County, MD. Moved to MA for college in 1993 and, besides a short stint in VA in 2002, has lived here since.

Favorite things: Cook, eat, go out to eat, spend time with my family, go on vacation, and cuddle with my dog.

Favorite part of the job: Watching relationships between kids, volunteers, and families develop and flourish. It's also such a privilege to be able to watch the kids mature and grow during their time in Kids Zone; some have been in Kids Zone since birth!

Favorite verse: Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness."

Email: joy@nechapel.org

Jen Mayer

Finance Administrator

Family: Mom to two awesome daughters Megan and Andrea. Mema to Nate and Adelyn.

Grew up in: Auburn Hills, Michigan and has lived in Franklin area since 2013.

Favorite things: Anything outside (gardening, hiking, kayaking); cooking, reading and music; laughing with daughters over silly jokes

Favorite part of job: I like being able to use my finance background while working with people who have a heart for God and serving.

Fun Fact: I like to explore new places while keeping things simple; quiet hike or casual meal. Love spending time with friends that have different interests which allows me to try new things.

Favorite verse: Psalm 143:8

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Email: jenm@nechapel.org

Kim Mu Chow

@NEC Coordinator

Family: Married to Lester for 38 years, middle child

Grew up in: Woodland Hills, CA, Moved to Massachusetts for graduate school and never left; Franklin resident for 30 years

Favorite things: Christian music and rocky beaches

Favorite part of job: Supporting people in need

What I like to do for fun: Spend time with family, volunteer, read

Favorite verse: Philippians 4:13 NKJV

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Email: neccares@nechapel.org

Cara Sherrod

Family: Oldest of 5 kids

Grew up: In Roslindale, but currently lives in Attleboro

Favorite things: Acting on the stage, reading, and working with kids of all ages.

Favorite part of the job: Working with the youth, and the community that is here.

What Cara likes to do for fun: Puzzles, theater, hanging out with friends.

Favorite verse: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

Elizabeth Deters

Elder

Hometown: Uxbridge, MA

Elder since: December 2018

Member of NEC since: 2002-ish

Professional life: Laboratory Technician

Hobbies: Reading, kids (if thats a hobby), cooking & house projects

What are your passions as it relates to NEC? I love my family, our dogs, our small town and school. I am passionate of things related to all of these! I feel that even in some of the most mundane tasks of life we are able to glorify God and honor him in what we do.

Favorite scripture: Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the patterns of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Email: deters55@hotmail.com

Greg Handel

Elder

Hometown: Lives in Franklin, Born in Jersey City, NJ

Member of NEC since: 2007

Family: Wife: Mary Ann, 1 Daughter: Nicole, 4 sons: Stu , Johnny, Jake & Dakota

Professional life: Licensed Psychologist

Hobbies: Coaching Football, Fishing, Golf

What are your passions as it relates to NEC?: Men's Ministry - seeing men connect with and support one another in deepening their relationship with Christ, with family, co-workers and other important relationships in their lives.

Favorite scripture: Matt. 16:24-25

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Email: greg@newenglandchapel.org

Matt Kelly

Elder

Hometown: Medway, MA

Elder since: 2015

Member of NEC since: 2007

Family: Wife Jessica, Daughter Rylee and Sons Brady & Tyler

Professional life: Controller

Hobbies: All things family and close friends, whether it be Sunday dinners with extended family, weekends away with my in-laws or a day at the park with the kids.

What are your passions as it relates to NEC? My main passion is the mission, I was the guy who had given up on church and I even believed I had given up on God. NEC was a place that I was able to reconnect with God in a meaningful and purposeful relationship. Our mission is important and we need to always be thinking about not just those in our walls currently but those outside our walls who don’t even know they are missing out on a relationship with God. I am also passionate about our restorations efforts outside our walls as these are extremely important to Gods calling for us as Christians.

Favorite scripture: Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Email: matt@nechapel.org

Eric Ramsdell

Elder

Elder since: December 2018

Member of NEC since: 1998

Hometown: Douglas, MA since 2001

Professional life: Sales Manager

Hobbies: Whether it be watching my kids participate in various activities or spending time with friends my hobbies revolve around my family and my friends. If I can hit up the beach or hit the ski slopes I’m happy too!

What are your passions as they relate to NEC? I’m passionate about building real relationships with people and participating in helping to build authentic community where people can experience the love of Christ.

Favorite scripture: Romans 15.13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Email: eric@nechapel.org

Todd Sanislow

Elder

Hometown: Wrentham, MA since 1996 (originally from Michigan)

Elder since: 2017

Member of NEC since: 2006

Family: Married (Sue) with two boys (Will and James)

Professional life: After a 26 year career with Verizon and its predecessor companies, Todd now provides Language Services (interpreters and document translation) for healthcare and in the enterprise space.

Hobbies: Spending time with my family anywhere, skiing and boating.

What are your passions as it relates to NEC? Supporting an environment that fosters the development of real and lasting friendships founded in a shared desire to know Jesus.

Favorite scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Email: todd@nechapel.org