Senior Pastor
David Rountree has been pastoring New Covenant Church since May of 1988. He grew up just twenty five miles north of Anderson in Greenville, South Carolina where he attended J.L. Mann High School. After high school he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) from Covenant College (1980) in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) from Reformed Theological Seminary (1983) in Jackson, Mississippi, and a Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min.) from Fuller Theological Seminary (1996) in Pasadena, California. From December 1983 until May 1988, Dr. Rountree was the pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Kingstree, South Carolina. He married Patti Burton in 1980 and they have three children, Andy, Bethany, Timothy, two daughters-in-law, Kaitlyn married to Timothy, Bailey married to Andy, one son-in law, Josh Randolph married to Bethany, two grandsons, Drew and Jackson, and six granddaughters, Clara, Olivia, June, Halton, Ruby and Dixianna. In addition to spending time with his family, David enjoys golf, hunting, fishing, reading, and just about anything that involves family and friends. David was converted to Christ in 1974 under the preaching of the Word of God while attending a Youth in Missions Conference at Lake Junaluska Conference Center in North Carolina. He received the Spirit’s call to the ministry of the Word in 1978 and has been preaching and teaching for the glory of God ever since. If you would like to email David, click rountree@ncchurch.net
Discipleship and Congregational Care Pastor
Tom Buiter arrived at New Covenant Church in April of 2022. He grew up in Byron Center, Michigan with seven siblings. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Covenant College on Lookout Mountain, Georgia (2016) and a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina (2020). From 2020 to 2022 he served on staff at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, North Carolina as assistant director of small groups after having served as a pastoral intern there since 2017. At Christ Covenant Church Tom met Lindey Duncklee and they were married in 2019. Their son Elijah was born in 2021 and son Jude was born in 2023. Tom enjoys spending time with Lindey and their family. He likes to fill his free time with reading, running and following his favorite sports teams. Tom is thankful for his parents raising him to know and fear the Lord and by the grace of God has been following Christ for as long as he can remember.
Pastor of Worship
Jonathan is passionate about how our weekly congregational worship gatherings play a vital role in the life of every believer. Not only do they provide a regular opportunity to gather as God's family in worship of Him, they also contribute significantly to our spiritual formation as followers of Christ. Therefore, what we do when we worship together really matters! It matters for God's glory, our good, and as a powerful testimony of God's grace to our visiting guests. We must be constantly reminded of the Gospel as it empowers us to live lives of worship unto the glory of God.
Moving to Anderson in 2018, Jonathan has a wonderfully compassionate wife Emily and four children: Nathan, Ellie, Daniel, and Sophie. Before joining the team at New Covenant, he earned a BBA (Accounting Concentration) and a Music Minor (Voice) from Mercer University in Macon, GA (2010), and has served in leading worship at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, GA and Christ Community Church in Brisbane, Australia. In May 2023 he graduated with an M.Div from Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta and was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America in January 2024. Jonathan loves to spend time with his family, write music, play ultimate frisbee, throw the baseball, and read books that grow his faith. If you would like to email Jonathan, please click wisdom@ncchurch.net
Business Administrator
Jeff Lopez was born and raised in Anderson, SC and has called New Covenant home since 1987. Jeff is no stranger to service at NCC. He has served as a deacon since 2005 and has previously served on the New Covenant School Board.
Jeff is a proud Clemson University alum with a degree in Financial Management and a secondary degree from TCTC in Computer Technology. He has worked in IT, HR and logistics.
Jeff and his wife Angie have been married for 27 years. They have one daughter, Rachel, who is a junior at Clemson University. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing golf, and attending Clemson sporting events. If you would like to contact Jeff, email him at lopez@ncchurch.net
Guest Services & Women’s Ministry Counselor
Mikala joined the staff of New Covenant in May of 2020. She is originally from rural Arkansas where she attended Ouachita Baptist University (2017). She then served in children's ministry at a church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri before moving to Anderson for this role. Mikala is currently finishing a Master’s Degree in Biblical Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte). While at New Covenant, Mikala met and married her husband Andy Pannell. Mikala enjoys reading, board games, traveling and anything that involves food and friends! If you would like to contact Mikala, click pannell@ncchurch.net
Communications Coordinator
Krisy Mortenson has been a member of New Covenant Church since 2003 and on staff since 2011. She grew up in Marietta, GA; attended Kennesaw State University, graduated in 1993 with a BS in Psychology and minor in Legal Studies. After becoming a certified Mediator that same year, she then married Dennis in 1994 and moved to Lake Hartwell in Lavonia, GA, where Dennis has now worked for over 30 years as a mechanical engineer. They built a home and moved to Anderson in 2000 and have two sons, Adam and Joseph. Krisy sat on the New Covenant School Board as secretary, managed the church bookstore, served in various women’s, children’s, and mercy ministries. She is appreciative for the opportunity to serve the Leaders and body of Christ at New Covenant Church. Krisy enjoys family vacations, hot-air balloons, riding bikes and laughing with her boys. If you would like to email Krisy, please click mortenson@ncchurch.net
Youth and Family Life Coordinator
Leila Sconyers joined the staff in 2024 as the Youth and Family Life Ministry Coordinator at New Covenant Church, where God graciously led her. Leila has a deep-rooted connection to New Covenant Church, having grown up attending with her family and being actively involved in the church community. She was baptized at New Covenant Church by Pastor Rountree, and she also graduated from New Covenant School, where she developed a strong foundation for her faith.
After high school, Leila pursued higher education at Clemson University. During her time at Clemson, God used her involvement as a volunteer YoungLife leader to reveal His heart for youth ministry. Through this experience, she felt a deep calling to serve and nurture young hearts, realizing that it is a profound way to share God's love and guidance with the next generation.
Leila is continuously amazed by how youth ministry has deepened her faith and strengthened her relationship with God. She considers it a privilege to witness the transformative power of God's love in the lives of young people as they grow in their faith and navigate life. She is deeply passionate about guiding them, offering support, and sharing in their triumphs and challenges. Her work in youth ministry is not just a job, but a calling that she wholeheartedly loves and cherishes!
Leila feels incredibly grateful to serve as the Youth and Family Life Ministry Coordinator at the church she has cherished and attended for so many years, in a ministry that she deeply loves. She is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where young people and families can grow in their faith, build meaningful relationships, and experience the love of Christ in tangible ways.
In her free time, Leila enjoys spending quality time with her church family, listening to podcasts that deepen her understanding of faith, and playing with her beloved dog, Millie. She is excited to continue her journey of faith and service at New Covenant Church, where she hopes to faithfully reflect God's love and grace to the youth and families in our community. If you would like to contact Leila, email her at sconyers@ncchurch.net
Head of School, New Covenant School
Chaston Hart has been serving as the Head of School at New Covenant School since 2024. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, he has a rich background in educational leadership and a deep commitment to Classical Christian education.
Chaston earned his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Covenant College, with concentrations in Business Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, and a minor in History. He is currently in pursuit of a Master of Arts in Classical Christian School Leadership from Gordon College.
Before joining New Covenant School, Chaston dedicated nearly a decade to The Habersham School, a Classical Christian school in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia. During his tenure there, he held multiple roles, including Director of Advancement, Marketing, Communications, Business, and Admissions. His extensive experience in these areas has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of school operations and a strategic vision for educational excellence.
Chaston married his wife, Cat, in 2021. Together, they enjoy exploring the upstate region and embarking on new adventures, seeking to discover and enjoy God’s creation.
Chaston is passionate about fostering a learning environment where students can grow in their faith, fulfilling New Covenant’s mission of equipping students to think critically, reason Biblically, and live gloriously for the cause of Christ. His leadership at New Covenant School is marked by a dedication to overseeing the school's operations, ensuring that its mission and values are esteemed and that in all things Christ is preeminent. If you would like to email Chaston, go to chaston.hart@newcovschool.net