Tenets of Faith
New Life Evangelical Church is founded upon the Word of God and the historic truths of the Christian faith. We believe:
The Bible
We believe the Holy Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, authoritative and trustworthy, and our final standard for faith, doctrine, and Christian living.
The Triune God
We believe in one eternal God who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God in nature, power, and glory.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, atoning death on the cross, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, and His personal return.
Humanity and Sin
We believe humanity was created in the image of God but, through sin, became separated from God and in need of salvation and reconciliation.
Salvation
We believe salvation is God's gift of grace and is received through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is not earned through human works but is made possible through the death and resurrection of Christ.
The Holy Spirit
We believe in the person and work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts of sin, brings new life, dwells within believers, empowers them for godly living and service, and equips the Church with spiritual gifts.
The Church
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, composed of all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. The Church is called to worship God, proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, build up believers, and demonstrate Christ's love to the world.
Sacraments and Ordinances
We believe in water baptism as an expression of faith and identification with Jesus Christ, and in the Lord's Supper as a remembrance and proclamation of His sacrificial death until He returns.
We also affirm biblical practices such as prayer with the laying on of hands, anointing the sick with oil, and child dedication as acts of obedience and faith, though not means of salvation.
The Return of Christ and Eternal Life
We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, God's final judgment, and eternal life with God for those who belong to Christ.
Our Mission and Vision
Mission
Our mission is to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, equipping believers, and demonstrating Christ’s love through Spirit-empowered ministry.
Vision
To see lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and communities impacted by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Story
The story of New Life Church did not begin with a plan to start a church. It began with prayer.
More than a decade ago, a small home-cell prayer group began faithfully praying for Contra Costa County, asking God to move powerfully throughout the region, open hearts to the Gospel, and draw many people to salvation through Jesus Christ. Year after year, we continued to intercede for the people of this county, believing that God had a purpose for this community.
During those years of prayer, God began to place something deeper in our hearts. We sensed Him speaking that He would give us this territory for the advancement of His Kingdom and establish His own church here. At the time, there was no Ethiopian and Eritrean evangelical church in Contra Costa County. We did not know how or when the vision would unfold, so we continued to pray and trust His timing.
Through time, we witnessed many Ethiopian and Eritrean families moving into Contra Costa County. Alongside this growing community was an English-speaking second generation of children, youth, and young adults who also needed a spiritual home where they could know Christ, grow in biblical truth, and be equipped to serve their generation.
When the appointed time came, God spoke to our hearts again to plant the church He had already spoken to us about several years earlier. What had been carried in prayer for years was now a call to step forward in faith.
New Life Church was conceived in prayer, carried through years of intercession, confirmed in God’s timing, and brought forth for His glory.
Our Calling
Our calling is to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, strengthen believers, and provide a spiritual home where individuals and families can worship, grow in their faith, and serve together.
We are also committed to reaching and discipling the second generation and English-speaking members of our community, helping children, youth, and young adults develop a strong biblical foundation and a personal, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Through biblical teaching, heartfelt worship, prayer, discipleship, fellowship, and compassionate outreach, we seek to reach Contra Costa County and neighboring communities with the hope and transforming power of the Gospel.
Above all, we exist to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ, building a healthy and vibrant church, and impacting this generation and generations to come for His glory.
Our Core Beliefs
Our core beliefs shape who we are, how we live, and how we serve.
Christ-Centered
Jesus Christ is the foundation and focus of our church. We desire that everything we do—our worship, teaching, fellowship, discipleship, and service—honor and point people to Him.
Bible-Based
We believe God's Word is the foundation for truth, spiritual growth, and daily living. We are committed to faithfully teaching and applying Scripture.
Gospel-Driven
We believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to save and transform lives. We are committed to sharing this Good News with our community and beyond.
Prayer-Dependent
We believe prayer is essential to the life and ministry of the Church. We seek God's wisdom, direction, and power in everything we do.
Spirit-Empowered
We depend upon the Holy Spirit to transform lives, empower believers, distribute spiritual gifts, and equip the Church to accomplish God's purposes.
Discipleship-Focused
We are committed to helping people become mature followers of Jesus who know God's Word, live out their faith, serve others, and make disciples.
Community-Minded
We believe the Church is a spiritual family. We seek to create a loving and welcoming community where individuals and families can worship, grow, serve, and experience genuine Christian fellowship.
Generationally Committed
We are committed to passing the faith to the next generation, intentionally discipling children, youth, young adults, and English-speaking second-generation members of our Ethiopian and Eritrean community.
Mission-Oriented
We believe every follower of Christ is called to participate in God's mission. We seek to share the Gospel, serve our neighbors, demonstrate Christ's love, and make disciples locally and globally.