New Life Church - Our Team

OUR TEAM

Lead Pastor

Pastor Jimmy Patillo

Jimmy Patillo has been in ministry at New Life Church for 21 years, including the last four years as Lead Pastor at NLC. He has an extensive background in ministry, leadership, and business. Having a father who was a pastor and denominational leader has given him a rich heritage in church management and leadership. In mentoring and advising pastors, church leaders, managers, and business executives, he has seen the great rewards of mentorship and serving others. Jimmy has served in numerous ministry and denominational leadership capacities. Currently he is operating as the International Men's Director for the Pentecostal Church of God (known as M3 Men's Ministry). Jimmy served as the Mid-East Regional Director for the International Convention of Faith Ministries, overseeing Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana. He was recognized as ICFM’s Regional Director of the Year in 2015. Before joining ICFM, Jimmy served his particular denomination in several local, state, and regional leadership positions. He holds a Masters Degree in Theology from Life Christian University-Tampa. In addition to ministry, Jimmy also has an extensive background in business. He holds an OMMBA from the University at Buffalo, a GRI (Graduate of the Realtor Institute) designation in Real Estate, and twenty-four certifications in business, management, accounting, and computer applications. He is a graduate of Moore Norman Technology Center’s accounting program (Oklahoma City Metro) and graduated first in his class. He also served as an adjunct instructor at Moore Norman teaching Microsoft Excel to the business community. He and his wife, Melissa, have been happily married for 32 years.

Pastors Emeritus

Bishop Gene & First Lady Phyllis Roberts

Bishop Roberts was the Pastor of New Life Church for 46 years. He has had the privilege to serve in many different leadership capacities. Everyone loves Bishop! The following is his ministry bio:

Born July 19, 1939
Received Salvation, March 14, 1951
Filled with the Holy Spirit, October 8, 1957
Graduated from Russell High School, Russell, Ky. 1958
Received “Exhorters License” from the Pentecostal Church of God, August 8, 1959
Attended Pentecostal Bible College, Gilroy, California, 1958-1959 (spring)
Attended Southern Bible College, Houston, TX. (fall)1959-1961
President of Southern Bible College’s graduating class, 1961
Received “Ministerial License” from the Pentecostal Church of God, June 10, 1961
Graduated from Southern Bible College, May 25, 1961 (3 Yr Certificate)
Ordained by the Pentecostal Church of God, July 26, 1962
Began preaching revivals throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Missouri, and Oklahoma, 1962
Elected President of Kentucky District’s Young People’s Association (PYPA), 1962-1969, 1972
Started the first youth camps in Kentucky for the Pentecostal Church of God, 1963
Pastored the Pentecostal Church of Christ, Ashland, Ky. 1967-1968
Married Phyllis Lute in Ardmore, OK., June 25, 1969
Pastored the Pentecostal Church of God, Norman, OK. 1969-1970
Pastored the Pentecostal Church of God, Rogers, AR. 1970
Elected Pastor of The First Pentecostal Church of God in Frankfort, KY, June 10, 1973
Built new facility located at 770 Ridgeview, Dr. 1984
January of 2019 was his 46th year of pastoral ministry at New Life Worship Center, Frankfort, Ky.
Served in some capacity of denominational leadership for over 40 years (District Bishop on two different occasions, District Secretary and Treasurer on two different occasions, and District Youth President on two different occasions).
Served on the Board of Regents of Messenger Bible College (Joplin, MO.)
Elected as a “Lifetime Honorary” member of the Kentucky District Board, 2003
Elected as a “Lifetime Honorary” member of the General Board of the Pentecostal Church of God, 2003
Received his 50 year ordination pin from the Pentecostal Church of God in 2013 (although 2013 marks 51 years).
Received his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Life Christian University (June 28, 2015).
Received his Master’s Degree in Theology from Life Christian University (June, 2016)

Co-Pastor & Worship Pastor

Pastor Melissa Patillo

Melissa Patillo is Co-Pastor at New Life Church in Frankfort, Kentucky and the Vice
President of the Patillo Leadership Group. She has an extensive preaching schedule
that includes revivals, camp meetings, and conferences across the United States. She
has served in several leadership positions including the State Director of Kentucky for
an international ministerial fellowship. Melissa is also a successful entrepreneur. She is
the sole-proprietor of Serenity Salon of Frankfort, LLC. In addition to these things,
Melissa is an accomplished musician and singer. She has had many opportunities to
use those gifts nationally and internationally while leading worship for state and global
denominational settings. Melissa serves on the writing and editing team for the
Pentecostal Church of God’s Global Empowered Women’s Ministries yearly devotional
books. These books are being translated into many languages and are impacting
women around the globe. Melissa graduated with high distinction from Trinity College
and Seminary and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biblical Theology. She has
been happily married for 32 years to her husband, Jimmy.

Executive Assistant for Business & Administration

Sandy Harp

Sandy Harp has been a member of New Life Church since 1989 when she moved to Frankfort after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with honors and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Computer Information Systems. She retired after 33 years at the
Commonwealth of Kentucky. She served as the Executive Director of the Office of Technology Services for the Education & Workforce Development Cabinet, where she oversaw multimillion dollar systems and projects as well as managed teams of staff in day-to-day operations of
services provided throughout the Commonwealth to the citizens. In addition to serving as the Executive Administrative Assistant at NLC for 34 years, Sandy has also taught Sunday School for 28 years and served as the Worship Media Coordinator for the past eight years. She is the mother of two sons, Patrick, who resides in Georgetown, Ky with his wife Lexie, and Logan, who resides in Richmond, Ky and is a drummer at New Life Church.

Teens United, Chi Alpha College and Man Up Ministry Pastors

Dustin & Danielle Otto

Pastors Dustin and Danielle have been youth pastors at New Life Church since June 2016. Having both experienced the brokenness of the world and the restoration only God can bring, they have a call of God to reach the brokenhearted and give them hope. They have three beautiful children; two boys, Abram and Sawyer, and a daughter, Isabella.

Pastor Dustin graduated from Russell High School in 2000. At the age of 18, he had the distinct honor to be awarded the Eagle Scout designation. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America. Only four percent of Boy Scouts are granted this rank after a lengthy review process. As a teenager, Dustin received the call to the ministry at a youth camp held by Jimmy and Melissa Patillo. In 2006, he became the youth pastor at Flatwoods Pentecostal Church of God and served in that capacity for ten years. During this time, he had a dynamic youth ministry and reached many teens for the Lord. Dustin is also a musician and has played on worship teams since the age of twelve. He has a heart for worship and helping usher in the presence of God. He believes in a relational youth ministry and building as many relationships as possible within the Body of Christ. He has a passion to raise godly men and women while training them to be leaders in the church, even in their youth.

Pastor Danielle graduated from Cornerstone Christian Academy in 2002. Afterward, she graduated in 2003 from cosmetology school to pursue a career as a beautician. Knowing as a teenager that she was called into the ministry, she attended Rhema Bible Training College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She graduated with a degree in Pastoral Care in 2005. She has served in some capacity of ministry for over fifteen years. From 2007-2011 she served as Co-Youth Pastor at New Life Church. During this time she also served as one of the twelve GAB (Girlfriend’s Advisory Board) members for Girlfriend’s Unlimited, and sang on the worship team. In 2011, she accepted a staff position at First Assembly of God in Frankfort and served on the worship team and was over the prayer/altar ministry team where she led prayer for special meetings and coordinated the altar ministry. She also sat on the board of the Assemblies of God Women’s Ministry for the state of Kentucky. She has traveled many places for ministry, including Brussels, Belgium, and was involved with the sex slavery ministry Breaking Chains. She has a heart to speak to people of all ages. She wants to impart hope to the hopeless and brokenhearted and see them rise out of the ashes and walk in freedom. She desires for people to know their purpose and destiny, who they are in Christ, and how to praise their way out of the pit.

Children's Pastor

Ashley Sharp

Ashley Sharp is the Ministry Director for Kids United, the children's ministry at New Life Church. She has been involved in ministry to children since the age of 13. She also serves as the Coordinator for Ruach Dance and Drama Team and has choreographed dances that have won multiple state competitions. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Life Christian University and is a licensed minister through Life Christian University's Ministerial Association. In addition to ministry, she is a licensed cosmetologist and self-employed businesswoman. Ashley has a passion to develop kids for ministry and uses Wednesday nights to prepare them for such activities. She desires to teach children how to worship and enter the presence of God. She longs to see children encounter God in such a way that it would set the course for the rest of their lives. It is her vision to see an army of kids rise up and passionately pursue God with all of their heart. Her hobbies include interpretive dance, playing piano, and shopping. She resides in Frankfort, Kentucky.