OUR HISTORY
In June of 1985 Charles and Domenica Arnold moved to Atlantic County, NJ in partnership with Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Word Fellowship Church to begin a mission outreach and future Church plant. Our focus has always been to see all men come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Our belief is that through personal relationship with Jesus Christ, individuals can find biblical answers, truth, and direction for living.
In the fall of 1990 with assistance from Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions, the congregation purchased a building and three acre parcel of property in Egg Harbor Township. On May 29, l996, with approval and blessing from Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Word Fellowship Church, this outreach ministry and Church plant incorporated under the name, “New Life Church”, with the State of New Jersey.
In 1993, New Life Church merged with Hosanna Fellowship pastored by William And Jean Britt. The newly merged churches were under the pastoral care of both Charles and Dominca Arnold and The Britt’s. In 1997 The Britt’s stepped down to start a ministry in another location in the U.S.
In January 2001, New Life Church under the direction of the Holy Spirit and blessing of the Church membership repositioned the fellowship under the ecclesiastical covering of Elim Fellowship of Churches, headquartered in Lima, New York.
In 2006, New Life Church completed the construction of a new sanctuary, offices, classrooms and basement.
On March 17, 2013 Thomas E. DiStefano was ordained Sr. Pastor and David W. Shorten was ordained as Worship pastor at New Life Church, Reverend Chris Ball, General Secretary of Elim Fellowship was the officiating Elim Elder. Pastors Charles and Donna Arnold received doctoral degrees on September 8, 2013. Our beloved Pastor Charles Arnold passed away January 14, 2014.
In September 2022, the Pastorate of New Life Church (Thomas E. Distefano, Dominica Arnold and David W. Shorten) transferred their ordinations from Elim Fellowship of Churches to Global Ministries and Relief, Inc., under the ecclesiastical covering of Dr. Leon van Rooyen.
On August 14, 2023, Thomas E. Distefano resigned from the Sr. Pastor position, handing the leadership of the church to the Eldership. On September 17, 2023, David W, Shorten was commissioned as Sr. Pastor. Dr. Leon van Rooyen, President of Global Ministries and Relief, Inc. was the officiant.
Today, New Life Church continues to host weekly meetings. Experiencing New Life is what many have received as Christ has taken the brokenness of life and made individuals whole. We face our future with excitement because of what God is yet to do. We believe the best is yet to come!
Together we can do great things for the Lord!
We invite you to become part of this great family of God.
WE ARE A FAMILY FOR YOU !