“Crossing Over Jordan” Bishop James Kilgor
Pastor Daniel Calk
40
New Life Temple
Church Anniversary Thursday, April 28 - Sunday, May 1
Bishop Joe W. Perry
Bishop Brenda Kay Perry
New Life Temple Church Bishop Brenda K. Perry, Sr. Pastor 4828 Almeda Genoa, Houston, Texas 77048
Welcome to this our 40th year Church Celebration... 40th year Church Celebration! My, my, see what God had done. Scripture tells us, “…Being condent of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. New Life Temple Church is a work in progress. Our theme is, “Crossing Over Jordan”. As we look to our future, how will we cross over our Jordan? By faith. Our focus is in seeking greater works in kingdom building. I am condent that the tasks that are set before us are not outside of God's realm of doing. Our faith is in a sovereign God who takes pleasure in guiding our footsteps. I am so thankful that as we grow His word will eternally hold true. He shows His marvelous presence and handiwork in and for this family year after year after year. Forty years, to be accurate. Praise God. It is such a pleasure for me to have each of you share in this celebration. To our guest speakers, Bishop Vernon Brite, Pastor Joel Urshan and Pastor Tanya Brown thank you so much for coming and sharing what God put in your heart for this family. And, to all of our friends and guest, your presence is our joy. To God be the glory for what He has done. Bishop Brenda K. Perry, Senior Pastor
Church History In the spring of 1976, the pastor of Life Tabernacle UPC, James L. Kilgore felt the need for a new church to meet the needs of the Black community in southeast Houston. He asked one of his church members, Sister Narvie Green to join him in fasting and prayer for God's direction in this endeavor. In April of 1976, Pastor Kilgore placed the task of nding a church location in the capable hands of his assistant pastor and son-inlaw, Brother Daniel Calk. After diligent search Brother Calk found and acquired a church building. The rst service in the newly purchased sanctuary was held on May 2, 1976. Approximately 35 to 40 saints attended this inaugural service. The atmosphere was of praise and worship coupled with anticipation of the wonderful things God would bring to pass. In keeping with the purpose that Life Temple was founded as a home mission's outreach, the very rst offering received in the building was designated for missions. During the rst year the church experienced great growth and over ninety souls were baptized in Jesus' precious name. Brother Daniel Calk served as assistant pastor and handled the weekly running of the church business and services while Brother James Kilgore served as overseer and pastor. Between the years of 1977 to 1979 the following events took place at Life Temple: Ÿ The choir and Truth Trio was organized and later placed under the leadership of Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
William Betton as Minister of Music First outreach program was implemented Successful Bible studies sparked revival Spirit – lled and anointed anniversary celebrations The rst tent revival occurred, through which Life Temple's introduction to the Perrys and Earls was made Major renovation to building due to ood The rst street meetings were organized
By 1980 the church had grown to the point where a full time pastor was needed. To meet this need Pastor Joe W. Perry was installed. In the ensuing years, as Life Temple became an autonomous body of believers, many new ministries and ofces were established. The newly arranged ministries included a bus outreach, prison outreach, tape department, hospital visitation, children's church and a weekly radio broadcast. Eight new ofces were also initiated to aid in the service to the body of Christ. These new ofces were a board of directors, ladies auxiliary, hospitality committee, church treasurer, Sunday school superintendent, publication staff and church secretary. During the following years over 900 visitors graced the presence of Life Temple and several hundred were lled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus' name. Also a bus (fondly name the Holy Roller) was purchased and the youth went on their rst tour, to Austin, Fort Worth, and Lufkin, Texas.
By 1981 the re of revival was burning and Reverend Cecil Hayes, pastor of Greater New Galilee Baptist Church, was introduced to the scriptural truth of the Acts 2:38 experience. Realizing this portion of God's plan for salvation, Pastor Hayes brought his entire congregation to be baptized in the lovely name of Jesus. Several of his members received the gift of the Holy Ghost. During the early eighties, Life Temple continued its progressive ways. The rst of the following events, many of which continue today, took place. Ÿ Summer Vacation Bible School Ÿ An Annual Marriage Retreat Ÿ Ladies of the Light Ÿ Men of the Tower (Brotherhood) Ÿ A live radio call – in talk show Ÿ Change of church name to New Life Temple In March of 1984, the laying of the foundation for the present day sanctuary began, and on June 4th work on the interior commenced. Life Temple faced many obstacles and challenges during the building program but God's Grace was sufcient and supplied every need. Despite Satan's interference, the dedication service was held as planned, through the receipt of a temporary occupancy permit, on September 13th – 16th, 1984. Satan was defeated! The road of progress continued well into the middle of the eighties. The Pastoral Library was completed and concrete and asphalt were laid in all the parking areas. The New Convert's Class was implemented, and the rst Annual Departmental Directors and Staff Leaders Planning Retreat were established. The New Life Voices of Praise Sanctuary Choir made their rst live recording under the leadership of Minister Wilford Glenn, former minister of music. Through the leadership of First Lady Brenda K. Perry, the dynamically powerful and successful Handmaidens of the Lord Conferences were launched and helped broaden the fellowship of New Life Temple with sister churches across the country. For many years it was a highly anticipated time of spiritual rejuvenation and companionship. Other service ministries originated were the Dinner and Pastoral Care Ministry. In the following years, New Life Temple marched forward with its eyes xed on the prize. Many accomplishments were made and many souls were added to the body of Christ. In 1989 the former pastor, Joe W. Perry, nominated Sister Brenda K. Perry as the copastor of New Life Temple Church. Through a secret ballot the nomination was ratied and Sister Perry was selected as Co-pastor Brenda K. Perry of New Life Temple. For the next four years Co-pastor Brenda K. Perry performed her pastoral duties with sincere commitment. At her request a second vote was held in 1993 to validate her position. The members overwhelmingly conrmed her appointment with an afrmative vote of 93 percent. At this time it was also agreed upon that in the event of the death or resignation of the Senior Pastor, Co-pastor Brenda K Perry would assume the role of Senior Pastor if she desired. Also during this time period, the New Life Voices of Praise debut their second recording entitled Jabula, under the direction of the former Minister of Music, Sister Bernadine Henderson. The release featured songs written and co-written by many of the choir members.
The 1998 Senior Pastor Joe W. Perry resigned as pastor of New Life Temple. The church immediately realized that our new Pastor Brenda K. Perry was capable and willing to ll the position. For the past nineteen years Co-pastor Perry had served the body of Christ faithfully under numerous positions and with many responsibilities. The day to day running of the church business had been relegated to her care some time before. In October of 1998, Pastor Brenda K. Perry was ofcially installed as the Senior Pastor of New Life Temple, Incorporated. The year 2002 was a year of “New Beginnings” in many ways for New Life Temple Church. Several new and previous ministers were licensed along with the commissioning of the Deacons and Deaconesses. Pastor Brenda K. Perry submitted herself under the leadership of Bishop Richard D. Howell, Jr. On April 14, 2002 she was ordained as Bishop with STIM. In September of that same year she was placed over the southern region of the continental U.S.A. Bishop Perry has brought new goals and a fresh vision to New Life Temple. Her heart's desire is to see God’s children enjoy a three-fold prosperity in spirit, health, and nances. She is committed to community outreach, with a focus on services and support for the youth and seniors. Under the umbrella of New Life Temple Church, as an extended arm in the community, New Life Enrichment Center was established, which provides services to the seniors in the community. She serves as the C.E.O. Through God's prompting she implemented a summer series of street meeting to take His word beyond these walls. Under her leadership New Life has purchased the surrounding four lots of land, with two more to be added, where the future sanctuary will be built. New Life has partnered with the Villa Americana Apartments in establishing what is called "Cookie Sessions" with the residential children and youth. Yearly a "Back to School Festival" is held in the community in order to provide needed school supplies to neighborhood children. Yes, there have been, and will be, stumbling blocks that will attempt to make us loose our footing. However, we know that keeping our eyes on Christ will secure our steps, and beckon us to go. Many changes have taken place, but God has given us His favor. New Life, our future looks ever so bright because our future lies in Jesus, where there is no darkness. With grateful hearts we will remember from whence He has brought us, and joyfully anticipate the new beginning He will grant us as we "Cross over OUR Jordan.
Thursday Evening MC - Pastor Gail Spratt Entrance to Worship Praise & Worship - Life Tabernacle Belfort Greetings - Pastor Steve Stephens Song - Sis. LaKesha Lanier Recognition of Guest Pastors Song - Sis. LaSonya Jewell-Antoine Offering - Eld. Edgar Usher Song - New Life Praise Team Introduction of Speaker - Pastor Gail Spratt Speaker - Pastor Joel Urshan Closing - Bishop Brenda K. Perry NOTES
Friday Evening MC - Sis. Willie Caldwell Entrance to Worship Praise & Worship - New Covenant Greetings - Pastor Steve Stephens Song - Sis. Lottie Love Keynote Speaker - Bishop Kenneth Mack Recognition of Guest Pastors Offering - Bishop Richard Rose Songs - New Life Praise Team Introduction of Speaker - Sis. Willie Caldwell Speaker - Bishop Vernon Brite Closing - Bishop Brenda K. Perry NOTES
Sunday Morning MC - Pastor Steve Stephens Entrance to Worship - Deacon Sonny Jones Praise & Worship - New Life Praise Team Special Prayer- Deacon Sonny Jones Praise Dance - Children With Purpose Offering - Elder Roy Clark Greeting of Guest - Sis. Capricous Wright Song - Choir Introduction of Speaker - Bishop Brenda K. Perry Speaker - Evangelist Tanya Brown NOTES
The Bates Family, one of New Life’s original families
Bro. Ray Dodd
Why Am I Still Here, After 40 Years By Eld. Edna Johnson I am privileged to have been a member of this blessed New Life Temple Church family for eleven years. Before I actually became a member I visited for several months. Christ-like people, great choir and biblical preaching is what I kept coming back to each Sunday. However my eleven years by no means compare to our charter members of 40 years. I know a lot of “stuff” happens in any organization, so I decided to ask a couple of the charter members why they have stayed so long? I first talked with Bro. Ray Dodd. I asked Bro. Dodd the following: Q: “Bro. Ray, what has impelled you to keep your membership here for 40 years?” A: “It feels like home to me. I feel comfortable. I have wanted to take a vacation, but every time I want to go, I don't because it is hard for me to stay away from my church. Bishop Perry and the members always encourage me to write my exhortations. I can talk to Bishop. Staying here has helped me to mature as a Christian. It's like New Life raised me like a Mother raises her child. People care about me. Also, Bishop says the right things. I need to be taught what the Bible says, not what people think or feel. Here at New Life Temple God's word is never added to or taken away from. You see, I read scripture when it is given. New Life is my family.”
Secondly, I talked to Nancy Atkins. I asked her the same question as I asked Bro. Dodd. A: “I came to New Life with my family. I was only nine years old, so I really did not have a choice. We were told that there was evangelism in our black community, so we joined this church. I am still here because I have learned to love this church. There was a time when I did not attend, however I believed that to receive restoration, I had to go back to get things right. You go back, get restored and then leave, if you wish. I chose to not leave again. Q: All churches have problems, whether in leadership or in the body. How have you dealt nwith issues when you don't agree? Usually this is when a person leaves the church. A: I have learned to be obedient, no matter how I might feel. It is only in obedience that blessings come. God will help you obey leadership. I trust my Bishop; I respect my Bishop. You can talk to her and feel safe. Also, the people at New Life always have your back. Well, I can't say that I am surprised at what was said to me. Why? Because I feel the same way..
As We Cross Over...God Has Been Good To Us
40 Years
New Life 1976 - 2016