Meet Our Leaders

Under-shepherds dedicated to serving God’s people with love, humility, and excellence.

Senior Pastor

Durand Simpson

Born in Galveston, Texas, on October 4, 1959, Durand was the firstborn of eight children to living parents Jewel and Mildred Simpson. After graduating from high school in 1978, Durand worked and attended Galveston Community Junior College. After one year, Durand joined the United States Air Force, where he met his “wife” – Sharon Bonadie – who was also enlisted in the Air Force at his first duty station, Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas. In November 1981, Durand and Sharon married.

After a tour in Germany in 1986, Durand was handpicked for a Special Duty Assignment at Area 51 Air Base in Nevada for 10 years, followed by another Special Intelligence Program at Nellis AFB, Nevada. In 1987, the family joined Calvary S. Baptist Church, where Durand was ultimately called into the ministry as a Minister of the Gospel. Durand and Sharon served in Calvary for more than 10 years under the guidance of his pastor and mentor, Jaffus Haley Jr.
In the summer of 1998, Minister Durand and Sharon volunteered to help Calvary plant their first church, Desert Harvest Mission Church, under the pastoral leadership of William Upchurch. It was during the five-plus years serving as one of the lead ministers at Desert Harvest that God “called” Minister Durand to the pastorate to birth and launch New Creation Outreach Ministries.
In preparation, Minister Durand met with a board of pastors, was ordained, and in March of 2005, “Pastor~D” opened the doors of New Creation Outreach Ministries with 13 members at Shadow Ridge High School in the Iron Mountain Community of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Over the years, Pastor D has proven to be a passionate, caring, and awe-inspiring shepherd, leader, and teacher. His Christian background encompasses a wide range of experience. With over 30 years in ministry, he has served as an associate minister, helped plant a church, served as Minister of Music, Youth Pastor, Church Counselor’s Director, Marriage Ministry Director and Counselor, Director of Christian Education, Bible Teacher, and Mentor.
As the principal leader responsible for the overall direction of New Creation, Pastor~D has served as Senior Pastor at New Creation since its inception in March of 2005. As a Kingdom-focused church, New Creation continues to disciple, grow, and meet the needs of its members and the Centennial Community in the northwest of Las Vegas.
Pastor D and Sharon have been married for 38 years. They have two children: Derek – a doctor living in Vineland, New Jersey – and Dauriana, a court reporter for the Las Vegas Municipal Court. Pastor D retired from the United States Air Force in 2001 and continued to work as a civil servant for four more years. He also attended Golden Gate Theological Seminary and graduated with a Divinity Diploma Degree in Christian Ministries in May 2009.