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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Ross Parsley, a New Life Church (NLC) pastor and worship leader for 18 years, announced Sunday he is relocating to Texas to plant a new church in Austin, Texas, in partnership with NLC.

Parsley, 43, served as interim senior pastor from 2006 to 2007 and is widely credited for helping hold the church together during a time of national scandal involving former pastor Ted Haggard.

"It is a privilege and honor to send Ross to plant a new church,” said Brady Boyd, NLC senior pastor. “Ross is an amazing leader and his leadership in the Austin area will be tremendous. Ross will always be remembered at New Life as a real hero. His leadership and influence will be greatly missed, but we are very excited about this next chapter in his life."

Parsley came to the church in 1991. He is the founder and president of the New Life School of Worship, which trains and equips young men and women to be worship pastors and leaders in local church ministry. Parsley has led worship on several Integrity Music recordings including, “My Savior Lives,” “I Am Free,” and his newest release, “Counting on God.”  He also published his first book last year, “Do You See What I See? Exploring the Christmas of Every Day.”

Under his leadership, New Life Church has become known world-wide for the quality of music and songwriting that comes out of the multi-generational worship experiences led by Parsley and his team of musicians and song writers.

Brad Parsley, 41, will replace his brother as NLC's worship pastor. Brad Parsley is a long-time worship leader and pastor at NLC.

For more information about the new church plant, view the Web site at www.ONEchapel.org