About

Students Are Saying:

NewPointe Institute will challenge you to read the Word more, to study more and to pray more. The curriculum is great and the homework manageable. I highly recommend it - especially to small group leaders.
The NewPointe Institute offers an enlightening and challenging academic experience for increasing one's knowledge and understanding of his or her Christian faith.
Each class opened up something new about God's Word that has helped me in my walk with Christ. It gave me the opportunity to meet people from other campuses that I may not have gotten to know otherwise.
The Old Testament and New Testament Survey classes helped me understand the historical setting in which the authors wrote and their purpose in writing. That understanding has been very important to my personal spiritual growth and greatly increased my overall appreciation of God's Word.
By being a student at the Institute, God has given me the grace to see his hand at work in every area of my life.
The Institute has been invaluable in my relationship with God! I have gained not only valuable knowledge, but confidence that where God leads He will provide. I can't wait for the next class and the wisdom of the instructors. I would encourage anyone on a journey of faith to enroll today!
I knew absolutely nothing about the Bible. I started with Old Testament Survey and then followed with New Testament Survey. If someone asked me if that enriched my life ... at 73 years old I decided to be baptized and ask Jesus to be my personal savior ... what does that tell you!
If you are new to the Bible or even if you have been reading and studying the Bible for many years, there is definitely something you can gain from these classes. They were well taught and the material was wonderful.
My classmates and I left class every night with fire in our eyes! We were incredibly encouraged and determined to learn more every week. Gaining biblical knowledge helps you better understand the way God works; and what He wants to do in and through you.
The Institute was truly a life-changing experience for me. Anyone interested in taking their faith to the next level should try at least one class.

About the NewPointe Institute

The NewPointe Institute is designed to give you solid, practical, life-changing training for successful leadership.

The NewPointe Institute is designed to give you solid, practical, life-changing training for successful leadership, whether staff or volunteer, in various ministries in the local church. Our focus is on delivering vocational, skills-based training in the midst of a thriving church. This means that you will be learning ministry in a place where ministry is happening all the time and under the instruction of proven, successful leaders. You will also develop the leadership and ministry skills you need to impact your world while developing a good grounding in biblical studies and theology.

The Institute will equip you with the necessary principles and tools to lead and impact in every sphere of life. With a specific focus on raising and training local church leaders, the Institute is strategically placed within the life of NewPointe Community Church. This allows every student the opportunity to apply the skills they learn in the classroom in a practical ministry setting within the church. Students from any church are welcome to apply.

Why NewPointe Institute?

The Institute offers a high-quality, low-cost opportunity for ministry training. Course content is presented at a college-level and is intended to provide a rigorous learning experience at convenient times and locations. In addition, courses examine material from the perspective of a growing multisite church, providing students with a masterful blend of education with application.

Benefits of attending the Institute include training to excel in real-world ministry through rigorous academic courses, personal spiritual formation, and supervised hands-on service; immersion in the vision, values, and culture of NewPointe which is one of the fastest growing, dynamic, creative, and Kingdom-focused churches in the country; classroom instruction from experienced faculty with advanced academic degrees; access to hands-on ministry opportunities at one NewPointe’s four campuses; contact and direction from highly motivated, high-capacity NewPointe staff members; consideration for open staff positions at NewPointe Community Church for those who have a sense of call to full-time ministry and excel in Institute programs, and more.

Who Can Attend?

Individuals eligible for admission to the Institute must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. Certificate and must be 18 years or older. Individuals must also be proficient in use of Microsoft Office, email, and the internet. Individuals, church volunteers, and staff members alike, whether from NewPointe or another church are encouraged to participate in the Institute to become better equipped to reach and influence their communities for Christ.

Where is NewPointe Institute?

The NewPointe Institute is a division of NewPointe Community Church. The Institute courses are held at various NewPointe campuses.

About NewPointe

NewPointe is a thriving and growing group of over 4,000 people across multiple locations in Northeast Ohio. Under the leadership of Dwight Mason, Lead Pastor since 1985, NewPointe has acted upon the belief that the local church is the hope of the world, and that through relevant application of Scripture, authentic leadership, and intentional relationship-building, the world will be changed for Christ. For more info about NewPointe's mission, values, and beliefs visit newpointe.org.

Faculty & Advisors

Bill Wenger

Program Director & Faculty

M.A. Theology (Asbury Theological Seminary), Ph.D. (Ohio State University), M.S. (Michigan State University), B.A. (Capital University)

Bill is an honors graduate of Asbury Seminary, where his studies focused on theology and the philosophy of religion. In 1999, he was elected to membership in the International Society of Theta Phi—an honor society for theological scholars and students. He has served on staff at a local NE Ohio church (director of adult ministries) and as an Adjunct Professor at Ohio Christian University. Prior to embarking on a career in theological education, Bill had about 20 years of executive management experience in the pharmaceutical & medical communications industries.

Bill is passionate about the mission and vision of the NewPointe Institute. He worked closely with Dwight Mason, Lead Pastor of NewPointe Community Church, in developing and implementing the strategic plan for the Institute. He is also heavily involved in curriculum development, but most enjoys teaching and interacting with students. His primary teaching interests include biblical studies, theology, apologetics, church history, and ethics.

Bill is also passionate about the mission of NewPointe Community Church “to lead people to realize and reach their full potential in Jesus Christ” and is convinced the Institute can play a significant role in contributing to that mission.

Bill met his wife, Faye, when they were students at Ohio State, and they have been happily married since 1984. The local church is their family and they love serving together in various ministry roles. When not teaching, he enjoys the company of good friends, ethnic foods, reading, blogging, appreciating nature, and the arts.

Laurie McClary

Faculty

M.A. Religion—Pastoral Leadership (Cincinnati Christian University); B.S.N. (University of Cincinnati)

Laurie and her husband, Terry, are missionaries serving with Missionary Maintenance Services (MMS), based in Coshocton, OH. She has a leadership role in the MMS apprenticeship program, where she developed and directs a program to disciple and prepare women applicants for missionary service. She has also served as a short-term missionary in Kenya.

Laurie has prior teaching and leadership experience as a nurse clinician, outcomes coordinator, and medical claims reviewer at Mayfield Clinic, and National Government Services (Cincinnati, OH).

Whether teaching in a mission agency, in the medical field, or in the local church, Laurie has a passion for challenging and guiding people in creative and interesting ways. At the NewPointe Coshocton campus, she has served as a small group and Bible study leader, and in various volunteer capacities. She is dedicated to leading people to realize and reach their full potential in Jesus Christ by teaching them to form a solid biblical worldview and to apply what they learn in their daily lives.

Laurie enjoys spending time with her husband, their five grown children, and 12 grandchildren. She enjoys travel, going on adventures, needlepoint, reading and journaling, along with being a health enthusiast.

Rick Laine

Faculty

M.Div.—Theological Studies (Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary); M.A.—Pastoral Counseling (Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary); B.S. Religion (Liberty University)

Rick graduated with honors from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary where he acquired a passion for learning and teaching, and a desire to help others gain a deeper understanding of the Word of God. His academic interests include biblical studies, systematic theology, biblical counseling, and spiritual formation. He is an excellent communicator and excels in presenting information in an easily understandable and culturally relevant way.

Rick currently serves as the Student Ministry Director at NewPointe Community Church (Dover campus). He enjoys working with students, parents and volunteers, and has a talent for mentoring and coaching others to help them realize and reach their full potential in Jesus Christ.

Rick’s enjoys spending time with his wife, Kate, and their two pups. He is an avid reader and sports fan, and has been known to shoot a little pool with friends.

David Conn

Faculty

D.Min. (Ashland Theological Seminary), M.Div. (Grace Theological Seminary), M.A. Biblical Counseling (Grace Theological Seminary), B.A. (Taylor University)

David graduated with honors from Grace Theological Seminary with two Master’s degrees. His doctoral dissertation at Ashland Theological Seminary addressed a biblical theology of visionary leadership. He has served as the teaching/lead pastor in a large church, and in directing a Christian counseling center.

David’s purpose in life is two-fold: (i) to glorify God by maintaining an attitude of humility and submission to His sovereign will in his life; and (ii) to advance the cause of Christ by using his gifts and abilities to help people realize and reach their full potential in Christ.

Craig Henry

Faculty

D.Min. (Northern Baptist Theological Seminary), M.Div. (Ashland Theological Seminary), B.A. (Malone University)

Craig has been a pastor for 30 years, including 20 years specializing in singles ministry. His doctoral dissertation addressed the topic of building relationship life skills into the lives of single adults. Over 7,500 people have attended one of his workshops on successful relationships, divorce recovery, grief recovery, single living, and communications.

Craig has taken several mission trips to Hungary. He is a soccer fan (Columbus Crew, Manchester United, and the US men's national team).

Dwight Mason

Lead Pastor of NewPointe Community Church, Board, & Faculty

B.A. in Christian Ministries from Ohio Christian University

Dwight has served as lead pastor of NewPointe Community Church in Ohio since 1985. At the time of his arrival, the decades-old church had settled into an average of 75 attendees. Today, NewPointe is a thriving and growing group of over 4,000 people across multiple locations in Northeast Ohio.

Under Dwight’s leadership, NewPointe has acted upon the belief that the local church is the hope of the world, and that through relevant application of Scripture, authentic leadership, and intentional relationship- building, the world will be changed for Christ.

Dwight grew up in Canton and is a graduate of Ohio Christian University (Circleville, Ohio). He released his first book in 2013, "Only God: Change Your Story, Change the World”. He has been married to Patty since 1989, has four children, and lives in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Joe Schulz

Faculty

B.A. in Theology, Baptist Bible College (Springfield, MO).

Joe is the Assimilation and Pastoral Care Director of NewPointe Community Church (Dover Campus). Having previously served at churches in Michigan, California and Ohio since 1978, Joe brings a wealth of leadership experience to his teaching position at the Institute. His dedication to teaching the principles of spiritual formation have resulted in opportunities to train pastors and leaders in Asia, Europe and Australia.

In his role at NewPointe, Joe leads teams that help people to begin and further develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Joe loves the local church and believes a world at its worst needs a church at its best. His passion is to see people become fully devoted followers of Jesus who then influence their world to lead others to find and follow Jesus Christ.

Joe met his wife, Julie, in high school and they have been married for over 38 years. They’ve served together in church ministry and the marketplace. They have two children and three grandchildren. Joe enjoys fishing, hunting, bicycling, Mexican food and the company of good friends.

Faye Wenger

Coordinator

Faye has extensive experience in coordinating ministry programs in the local church, including worship coordinator of multiple Sunday services, first impressions and small group ministries, and children’s summer programs. She has also served as a church liaison to a local community preschool, and as a financial assistant and office volunteer.

Faye has a passion to mentor and invest in younger generations, passing along the spiritual legacy she inherited from her father, a pastor in the Free Methodist Church. She also has the gift of supporting others in ministry. She works closely with her husband, Bill, in ministries at the NewPointe Canton Campus as well as the NewPointe Institute.

Prior to her full-time service as a volunteer at NewPointe, Faye worked as a Registered Nurse (BSN, Ohio State University) in various administrative, teaching, and patient care roles. She enjoys reading, travel, and using her gifts of creativity.

Brenda Young

Advisor

M.A. Christian Education (Asbury Theological Seminary), B.A. (Ohio Christian University)

Brenda serves as Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church (Akron, Ohio), where she has been casting and leading the vision for the church since 1996. She is also the Director of Clear Blue Global Water Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing clean water sources to some of the world’s poorest communities.

A graduate of Ohio Christian University and Asbury Theological Seminary, and an elder in the Free Methodist Church, Brenda is a frequent speaker at both national and international conferences and seminars. She is the author of the soon to be released “Grace and Truth: Finding Balance in the Christian Life” and co-authored "Only God: Change Your Story, Change the World” with Dwight Mason.

Brenda and her husband Charlie have 3 children.