NewLifeInChristChurch

We Are

Statement of Faith

We hold fast to this truth: that God is sovereign, and we live to glorify Him. We were made as a love gift for the Son from the Father; a redeemed humanity, to worship and love Him for all eternity. Being a triune God, He had no need for our existence, as He has perfect communion with Himself. Knowing there is only one God, but believing He is three distinct persons, we learn who Each is through the living Word, inerrant and inspired by God. We see the need for a Savior, the Son. We learn and are humbled by the Creator, the Father. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit who advocates and initiates our redemption through the work of Christ. We have now been given a new life, forgiven and free of condemnation. Being justified once and for all, we live out our faith in such a way that is sanctifying. By dying daily and taking up our cross, we no longer live for ourselves or this world, but for Jesus Christ. Being ambassadors of Heaven, we show our neighbors and the world a new life in Christ. Obeying God and all His commandments, praying without ceasing, growing our relationship with Him and His body, we live out our faith. By being a biblically based body of believers, we strive not just to talk about it but to be about it. Humbling ourselves before the Lord, we align our will with His will until His Kingdom comes.

Our Mission

We exist to preach the gospel to

the poor and set free the oppressed.

WE HAVE A DREAM

“I Have a Dream…”

With those words, Martin Luther King, Jr., forty-six years ago launched into one of the finest addresses in the history of American rhetoric. And God has given us at this merged church a dream no less lofty.

We have a dream that every person walking in here will feel accepted, affirmed, admired, applauded, and acclaimed by Jesus Christ and His people-they’d feel it down to the soles of their feet-even if they feel it at no other place during their week.

We have a dream that our baptistery would never lay empty, that every Sunday people would be baptized-and not by the pastors or elders but by the very individuals who led them to Christ. In fact, we have a dream that every person in church would know how to evangelize and would do it-over and over.

We have a dream that no matter what has been said about the inner-city-or about inner-city refugees who have been displaced to the new suburban ghettos-that Jesus Christ would do monumental things for them which no other power on earth could come close to.

We have a dream that the most elusive evangelistic target in America, inner-city males, would cram into our church whenever the doors open; and stream out into the world to bring even more males back in.

We have a dream that every father would worship with his children, in church and at home-and that every man would marry his woman.

We have a dream that Browns, Blacks, Reds, Yellows, and Whites, old and young, urban and suburban, would worship under one roof, as one body.

We have a dream that parents would learn how to give their children the love and discipline they never received themselves.

We have a dream that the age-old skepticism about marriages-especially inner-city marriages-would succumb to a new reality: fabulously successful relationships that are helped at the first sign of trouble.

We have a dream that every believer in our church would know his or her gifts and use them.

We have a dream that graduation rates would spiral off the charts and that every child would be tutored-daily.

We have a dream that no one here ever gets in debt, but if someone does, it wouldn’t be for long.

We have a dream that every New Life believer would be comfortable with the Bible and bring it to church for every service.

We have a dream that every one of our believers would leave a job only because the Lord has opened the door to a better one.

We have a dream that a generational curse of prison confinement ends with this generation; that killings end with this generation; that child and spousal abuse end with this generation; that substance abuse ends with this generation.

How dare we dream such things about a people for whom society holds such little hope? Because we have been watching the Lord do amazing work through us and among them for thirty-five years.

Now we have a dream that He will do even more.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians, Chapter 3)

Written By Pastor Jack LaPietra

TENETS OF FAITH

The Word of God: We firmly believe that the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God. They are without error in their original form and provide a complete revelation of God's will for salvation. Therefore, they hold the highest and final authority on all matters they address. This is not just a belief; it is a foundational truth that guides our faith and actions.

The Trinity: We believe in one God, the Creator and Sustainer of everything, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these persons is equally perfect and divine, and while they have distinct roles, they work together seamlessly in the processes of creation, providence, and redemption.

God the Father: We believe in God the Father, who is an infinite and personal Spirit. He is perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. God actively cares for us, listens to our prayers, and offers salvation from sin and death to anyone who comes to Him through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, sharing the same divine nature, attributes, and perfection as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He is both fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We affirm his sinless life, his sacrificial death which atoned for our sins, his physical resurrection from the dead, and his ascension into heaven. Jesus continues to intercede for his people as a priest. We also believe in his personal, visible return before the establishment of his kingdom on earth.

Holy Spirit: We believe the Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity. His advocacy for regeneration, sanctification, and preservation is crucial in the life of a believer. His ministry glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and implements Christ’s work of redeeming the lost and empowering the believer for godly living and sacrifice.

Humanity: We hold the belief that God created humanity—both male and female—in His own image and initially free from sin. However, it is also our conviction that every person, by nature and by choice, is a sinner and, as a result, is spiritually dead.

Salvation: We believe that salvation is a gift of grace from God, made possible through faith in Jesus Christ. This means that it is not something we can earn through our actions, rituals, or personal merit; rather, it is freely given to us through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. True salvation leads to a transformed life, characterized by righteous living, good deeds, and a genuine love for others.

The Church: We believe that the church is the spiritual body of Christ, who is its head, and is made up of all individuals who, through genuine faith in Jesus Christ have been transformed by the Holy Spirit. These congregations come together for worship, teaching, evangelism, and service. The essential practices of our local churches include believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. Additionally, we affirm the importance of local churches supporting one another and Christians mutually submitting to each other in love.

Separation of Church and State: We firmly believe that every local church should operate independently and without interference from any religious or political authorities. Additionally, we uphold that every man and woman is directly accountable to God. Therefore, they should have the freedom to worship God in accordance with their own beliefs and conscience.

Christian Conduct: We believe that the main responsibility of every believer is to honor God through his and her actions and behavior while being above reproach in the eyes of others. Every Christian should responsibly manage their resources and strive to grow in all aspects of life, aiming to reach their full potential in Christ.

Prayer: We firmly believe in the power of prayer and know that God answers every prayer. However, it's important to remember that He responds in His own way and timing, as He is sovereign. Therefore, we must strive to align our desires with His will. That's why we commit to praying daily, growing our relationship with God and embracing that God is with us.

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