Our Team

Senior Pastor – Charles Newman

Pastor Charles Newman has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years.  He and his wife, Jenifer, grew up in California, and have called Arizona “home” for over 15 years.  Jenifer is an elementary school teacher and together they are a blended family with 5 children.  Charles is considered a compassionate faith leader and entrepreneurial visionary.  He advocates for the local church as a sacred institution, to live out the day-to-day call to make disciples of Christ through missional communities.  He attended San Diego State University and received his BA in History Education.  After teaching and working in government programs, he earned his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in Chicago, IL.  He has served churches in Los Angeles, CA; Yorba Linda, CA; Chicago, IL; Decatur, GA; and various churches throughout AZ.

Associate Pastor – Rachael Dales

Pastor Rachael grew up at King of Glory.  She is fondly remembered for leading campfires and snipe hunts in her teen years.  Rachael graduated from ASU with a teaching degree in 1986.  She moved to Upstate New York in 1989 where she taught in the Schenectady Public Schools and became a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  She worked her way from volunteer to full-time staff in the areas of worship development, music ministry and as the Children, Youth and Family Minister.  This is where she first heard the call to public ministry leadership.  She also earned a Master of Science in Curriculum Development from SUNY, Albany.  Rachael received a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 2007.  Upon returning to Arizona in 2012, Rachael lived in Phoenix and worked as a hospice chaplain and then served the Arizona Department of Corrections.  As Associate Pastor, she preaches, teaches a variety of classes and leads the prayer ministry of our community and many of our Adult Bible studies.  She lives with her puppies, Max and Moxie.

Director of Worship & Music/Organist – David White

David joined the staff in August 2019.  Previous to KOG, David served as Director of Music and Organist at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio.  He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northern Kentucky University and completed the Master of Arts in Church Music in 2017 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.  David enjoys working with both adults and children and leads choirs for all ages.  He is an active member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, American Choral Directors Association and American Guild of Organists.  David is married to Amy, and they have three children, Clara, Micah and Ezra.

Pre-School Director – Cindy Stark

Cindy has been the Director of King of Glory Preschool since 2011.  Cindy believes in helping both children and their parents grow cognitively, emotionally and spiritually.  One important way to do this is to show them the love and grace of God every time they come to preschool.  Cindy has been involved with the Early Childhood Education field for the last 20 years.  She taught pre-kindergarten and three-year-olds before beginning her current position as Director.  She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Education Psychology.  She also went through the Director’s Credential Program with the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership.  She has lived in Arizona for over 49 years and has been in Phoenix since 1990.  She has been married for over 30 years to an amazing man and has one grown son.  Cindy started her career in education in 1989, teaching fourth grade in Tucson.  In her free time, Cindy enjoys reading, classic television shows, traveling, and hiking.

The Next Generation Coordinator – Christy Hegebush

Christy Hegebush has enjoyed working with the youth of KOG for many years.  Currently, she is serving as The Next Generation Coordinator, a new position here at KOG.  She enjoys helping the youth of KOG grow in their faith as they learn to live in today’s world.  During the week, she works as the Autism and Low Incidents Specialist for the State of Arizona Department of Education.  Her teaching in the classroom has helped prepare her to assist the youth of KOG to grow in their faith.  Christy graduated from NAU with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, and received her Masters of Legal Studies from ASU.  She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two daughters.

Director of Communications – Daren Miley

Daren, from the Great Lakes State of Michigan, came to AZ in the fall of 1996 and attended Arizona State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology Management in 2003.  He is married to Christy Hegebush The Next Generation Coordinator, and has 2 step kids, Kelleigh and Sarah, that he calls his own.  Daren became a Member of KOG on May 2nd, 2021.  He enjoys getting out on the golf course, spending time with his family, and going to ASU Football and Hockey games.  His job at KOG consists mainly of creating the digital messages of KOG that you see on the KOG website and Digital Marque sign on Southern Ave.  This also includes YouTube videos, Facebook and Instagram posts, and creating the slides that you see during the Pre-Worship Loop and any slides for the Sermon on Sundays.  Daren also does the print media for KOG as well, which includes the Sunday Service Bulletin, the Monthly Connections Newsletter, the weekly Glory Notes, and anything else that you might see posted in the Narthex and around campus.  Every once in a while, you can catch him in the Tech Booth on Sunday mornings working lights, sound, or video.

Assistant for Membership & Reception – Gina Bouk

Gina was born in Ellsworth, Kansas, and moved to Phoenix the summer before she started high school.  Gina brings a wealth of administrative knowledge that benefits the King of Glory community in many ways.  Gina and her husband Carl were members at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church for over 47 years where she worked as the Office Administrator for over 20 years.  She retired in January 2016 but responded to God’s calling to the KOG Staff as Admin Assistant for Membership in March 2019.  She says, “I pray that through God’s Holy Spirit, the body of Christ, known as King of Glory Lutheran Church, will make a difference in your life as they have done in mine!”

Business Administrator – Vicki Hegebush

Vicki was raised in Tempe, Arizona, and went on to explore North & South Dakota where she received her degree in Business Education with a minor in Religion and Psychology.  She received a Masters in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.  Vicki has been a member of King of Glory since 1975.  Prior to working at King of Glory, she taught in the Tempe Union High School District and worked with private businesses.  Vicki’s favorite pastime is enjoying her three daughters, three son-in-laws, and seven grandchildren.

Bookkeeper – Kath Bruher

Kath was raised on the Florida/Alabama Gulf coast.  After living in Alaska for 30 years, she moved back to Florida to be in the sun, and then to Mesa to care for her grandkids (and more sun).  Kath has a BBA degree in Accounting as well as an AAS degree in Paralegal Studies.  She brings 30+ years of experience in corporate, small business, and non-profit accounting and business management.  Kath has 3 daughters, 1 son, and 4 grandchildren.  She has a servant’s heart and believes in loving God and your neighbors.  Kath enjoys sports, outdoor activities, reading, traveling, and learning new things; really just about anything except opera and heavy metal music.

Director of Health Ministries – Pat Hagenson

Building & Grounds – Jerry Tauss