New Life Christian Church began in the spring of 2001 as two churches (Bridlewood Brethren In Christ & New Covenant Christian Fellowship) from 2 different denomintions (Brethren in Christ & Mennonite Brethren) merged together.
Bridlewood BIC had been in the cityToronto (Scarborough) since 1963. Robert McClintock, an entrepreneur, donated the property for the church building. BBIC saw many joys through the years, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. They had seen their share of sorrows too - a tree stands in the front yard of the church planted in memory of a youth who died.
New Covenant (NCCF) started in 1995 as a Mennonite Brethren church plant in Toronto (Scarborough) by Vidya & Gwen Narmimalla. The church met in the Society of International Ministries' chapel in Scarborough. In April 1996, NCCF merged with another Toronto area MB church, Yorkdale Community Church. NCCF was quickly outgrowing their rented facilities and in the search for a new meeting place came upon Bridlewood Brethren in Christ.
After several meetings and discussions, in April of 2001 (on Palm Sunday) both churches agreed to become one church serving the Lord together. This is the first congregation belonging to both the Brethren in Christ and Mennonite Brethren denominations.
Pastor Vidya Narimalla and Pastor Walter Kelly continued to serve the church until 2003. Pastor Vidya accepted a lead pastor position at Kitchener MB Church and Pastor Kelly became chaplain for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Toronto Police Services. Intentional Intermin Pastor Grant Gordon was invited t assist NLCC while we searched for a new pastor.
In 2004, Pastor Wayne Wright and his wife Candie accepted NLCC's offer to become pastor and the story continues.
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480 Huntingwood Drive, Toronto (Scarborough), Ontario, Canada
webmaster (at) celebratenewlife.com |
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