NORTHBRIDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH
NEWSLETTER
Friday, May 15, 2026
Navigation: Current News • Other News • Staff Contacts
Link to additional information for regular attenders (pwd: NCCattender)
This week’s Scripture: James 4
Weekly Schedule
Worship Service
Saturday - 5:30 pm (no childcare)
Sunday - 9:30 am
Youth Group - Sunday, 5:30 pm
Men’s Alliance - Monday, 8:00 pm
Men’s Breakfast at Novios Cafe - Tuesday, 6:30 am
Men’s Alliance - Saturday, 7:00 am
Other Events
Prayer gathering - 1st Sunday, 6:30 pm
Name Tag/Donut Sunday - 4th Sunday, 9 am
Saturday evening dinner - May 29, after the worship service
CURRENT NEWS
Administrative Pastor Search
The NCC elders have approved a candidate visit for the Administrative Pastor position during the weekend of May 29. Additional details regarding the schedule for Pastor Daren Mehl and his wife, Rhoda, will be shared as plans are finalized.
You can find more information about Daren here.
Daren Mehl's testimony centers on Christ's transforming grace. After experiencing occult involvement and spiritual torment as a teenager, he turned to Jesus at 17. Through Scripture, prayer, and faithful Christian relationships, God called him out of an LGBT identity into a life of repentance and obedience.
He married Rhoda in 2005 and they serve together, raising two children—Sebastian and Esther—as a living witness to God's restoring power.
His pastoral approach combines truth without compromise, compassion without flattery, and long-haul discipleship. After 25 years in IT management and consulting, he now serves as a pastor at Warroad Community Church, where he applies his shepherd's heart and commitment to gospel-driven leadership.
Daren is a nationally recognized speaker on biblical repentance and transformation. He served as president of Voice of the Voiceless (2016-2025) and co-founded Made Free Ministries. He currently serves on the board of the Association of Christians in Health and Human Services (ACHHS).
Daren and Rhoda live out their values through humility, teachability, and servant leadership, passionate about spreading the Gospel and building Christ's Church.
Date Change – Saturday Night Dinner
Due to Pastor Mehl’s visit the weekend of May 29, the final Saturday Night Dinner of this ministry year has been moved from May 23 to May 30. This will provide an additional opportunity for people at NCC to meet and visit with Pastor and Mrs. Mehl.
Men’s Discipleship Survey
This fall, the Men's Discipleship Team will be launching new initiatives for men’s discipleship, including enhanced fellowship events, discipleship groups and serve teams. In order to meet the needs for meeting days and times and to prepare for the fall, we would like to hear from Northbridge men to see how we can best serve you and also to find potential leaders for groups. Please take the time to fill out this short interest form to help us understand how best to serve you.
Meal Ministry
Gary & Gina Axtell and Janet Bruce are walking through some difficult life circumstances. We would like to try to provide them with two meals a week for a while. Please use this link to sign up to bless them:
NCC Communication
Please send any of your ministry communication needs to comms@nbchurch.org. (Graphic design, newsletter or bulletin announcements, flyers, social media posts, slides, church calendar, website, NCC app, etc.)
Other News
NE Rochester Property Sale Meeting on May 24
There will be a brief congregational meeting after the worship service on Sunday, May 24 to share details from the sale of the church’s NE Rochester property, the mortgage payoff, and an elder board change.
Young Adults
Young adults (ages 18-30) are invited to a game night and bonfire (weather permitting) on Sunday, May 17th! This will be an evening of casual, joyful fellowship. Come as you are, bring a lawn chair and a friend! Contact Leah Helgeson with questions at (715) 977-2735.
When: This Sunday, May 17th at 6:30pm
Where: The Swanson Residence (25785 590th St, Mantorville, MN 55955)
Want to stay connected about upcoming young adults events, hangouts, or service opportunities? Click HERE to request to join the “NCC Young Adults” GroupMe chat or search "NCC Young Adults" in the GroupMe app.
Women’s Ministry Updates
Sunshine and Slides
Get outside with other NCC women and enjoy Rochester’s beautiful parks every Thursday. We meet next week on Tuesday, May 19 at Cascade Lake Park (88 23rd Ave SW). All are welcome. Start time is 9:30am.
Save the Date! Worship Night, June 30, 7pm
Come for a time of outdoor worship, devotional, snacks and bonfire at Pine Haven Pavilion.
Bound Together Summer Book Club
Join us this summer as we read through Gather and Give by Amy Hannon to learn how to share God’s heart through everyday hospitality. Be encouraged with practical tips to use your home as a ministry platform—focus on connecting with others rather than on perfection. Meetings are June 10 & 24 and July 15 & 29 at 7pm. Register by June 1.
Stay Connected
Visit the Women’s Ministries page for more information and join our Women of Northbridge Facebook page.
Click the image for a link to register.
Sign up here
NCC at Camp Victory
NCC has a featured week at Camp Victory this summer! Kids are invited to attend—and bring a friend! Deidre Cullen, Children’s Ministry Director, will be there all week, so your child will have a familiar face while they enjoy a fun and faith-filled experience. June 22-26. There is a $10 discount for NCC kids by signing up at the Camp Victory website (campvictory.org) and using code NCC26.
SummerFest 2026 July 11
Planning is underway for NCC’s annual SummerFest on Saturday, July 11 from 5–7:30pm. We’d love for our whole church family to be involved! We’re looking for volunteers to help make the evening a great experience for everyone.
This event is for everyone—our church community, VBS families, and any friends or neighbors you’d like to invite. We’d especially encourage you to invite others! (We'll share more about how you can do that soon!)
There will be games, a bounce house, wagon rides, a complimentary dinner, and live music. We need volunteers to help make SummerFest happen! Whether you can assist with setup, cleanup, activities, or simply be a welcoming presence, there’s a place for you to serve. Even if you can only help for part of the event, we’d love to have you!
Please check out the opportunities and sign up at tinyurl.com/NCCFest.
Heather Anderton, handerton9@gmail.com
Collecting Diapers for New Life Family Services
Help New Life collect 150,000 during the month of May to fill their diaper stock. Most needed sizes: Newborn, 4-8, and pull-ups sizes 3T-6T.
To have diapers shipped directly from Amazon to First Care in Rochester, go to this link:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AIJ0RA8PRRO?type=wishlist&filter=persistent_all&sort=custom&viewType=list
Scroll down the registry to the diapers, select your purchases. When you get to the check-out simply choose the First Care Registry address for shipping.
Meal Ministry
If you or someone you know in our Northbridge Community family could benefit from receiving meals, please contact us at mealministry@nbchurch.org.
Staff Contacts
Kevin Binkley, Lead Pastor, kevin@nbchurch.org
George Schweitzer, Transition Coordinator, george@nbchurch.org
Kathy Kuhlmann, Office Manager, kathy@nbchurch.org
Deidre Cullen, Children’s Ministry Director, deidre@nbchurch.org
Communications team, comms@nbchurch.org