History of NLBC

New Life Body of Christ Christian Church was founded by Elder Charles H. Ware and Missionary Gloria J. Ware in September 1994, in their home where the first Bible Study was held. On October 23, 1994 the first official service opened at Solomon Elementary School cafeteria on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.  Pastor Ware met Pastor Jenkins from the Body of Christ Ministry that worshipped at Hale Kula Elementary School on Schofield Barracks. In March 1995, the two services merged and the present name “New Life Body of Christ” came into existence.

 

On July 2, 1995, God’s blessings increased even more. New Life Body of Christ was blessed with its’ own building at 85 Walker Avenue in Wahiawa. In the month of April 1996, New Life Body of Christ relocated to 65 Walker Avenue because more space was needed. In June 1996, Pastor and 1st Lady Ware departed the island of Oahu and Elder Michael A. Henderson was appointed Pastor of the New Life Body of Christ.

 

In the spring of 1997, our youth ministry increased and more space was needed in the ministry. The Lord continually blessed our efforts for the upbuilding of His kingdom. The property at 85 Walker Avenue was reacquired and is the present location of the multi-purpose building and Kidz Zone.  In May of 1998, the Lord moved miraculously once again. The main sanctuary located at 65 Walker Avenue became too small and God made provisions for the vision that He had given our pastors. Construction to renovate a new building began in May 1998 at 74 South Kamehameha Hwy in Wahiawa. On June 14th,  just a few weeks later, renovations were complete and we held our first service in the new building.  In September 1998 a clothing closet and food bank was established to “Reach Out and Touch the Community”, to assist God’s people and show the love of Jesus Christ!

 

God continued to envision our pastors and they saw a need for the youth of the community to have a safe place to go to after school and on weekends. God’s Word did not return void. The vision was fulfilled and on October 31, 1998, “The New Life Body of Christ Youth and Computer Learning Center” was opened at 65 Walker Avenue. The Youth Center was open to the entire community at no cost for the services provided. As a refuge for Christian entertainment, we provided ping pong games, arcade games such as basketball and air hockey, video games and computers with internet.

 

In April 2001, Elder and Evangelist Pettus were officially installed as Pastor and 1st Lady of New Life Body of Christ-Georgia, under the covering of New Life Body of Christ Christian Church-Hawaii.  In May 2020, Pastor Pettus retired from pastoring and NLBC Georgia made a decision to close their doors.  

 

The Clothing Closet relocated to 82 S. Kamehameha Hwy in June 2000. In November 2005, we celebrated our church anniversary with a “Mortgage Burning” for our main sanctuary building at 74 S. Kamehameha Highway.  On April 30, 2009, we had the Grand Opening of our fellowship hall,  “Hurricane Hall”  located at 65 Walker Avenue, which was fully renovated in the midst of the economic crisis. 


God said through prophesy that He will add to the church and in November 2009, Finding Your Way Back Outreach Ministry in Fort Worth, Texas under the leadership of Pastor David Longmiles and Assistant Pastor 1st Lady Bernice Longmiles, came under the covering of New Life Body of Christ Christian Church-Hawaii.  On July 9, 2017, the Longmiles retired as pastors and we installed Bishop Robert Blake as the new pastor.  

 

In May and June of 2014, the NLBC Food Bank went through a total renovation and on June 22, 2014 we had a special ceremony to dedicate our newly renovated facility back to God. The Food Bank Ministry is a vital part of our ministry and services over 500 families each month. God gave us a vision for our youth and in June 2015, we revamped our youth ministry to include a variety of lessons, classes, crafts, games and fellowship for our youth and renamed it Kidz Zone.

 

Extensive renovations and upgrades were made to our main building at 74 S. Kam to include the interior and exterior, beginning in November 2018 and was completed for our 25th Church Anniversary celebration we held in November 2019.

 

We made a decision to "right size" in January 2019, to better fit the needs of the ministry.  We consolidated our administrative offices to our main building and relocated our Kidz Zone ministry to our multi-purpose buildings #1 and #2.  We no longer have the building for the clothing closet, however, we give away clothing and household items on the first day the food bank is open each month, as we continue reaching out and touching the community. 

 

During the pandemic, on January 2, 2020, New Life Body of Christ Christian Church in Aberdeen, Maryland was established under the leadership of Pastor Larry Giles Sr and 1st Lady Tina Giles and came under the covering of New Life Body of Christ Christian Church-Hawaii. 

 

Also during the pandemic in 2022, Greater Faith Ministries in San Antonio, Texas under the leadership of Pastor Christopher & First Lady Monique Holt,  came under the covering of New Life Body Of Christ Christian Church-Hawaii.  On April 16, 2023 an in person official installation service was held to install them as pastors.


In the first half of 2024, several major renovations were completed to our main building at 74 S. Kamehameha Hwy, and we give God all the glory for providing the funds necessary to do this work.


In November 2024, we are looking forward to celebrating our 30th Church Anniversary as God has continued to give us His increase as we continue to "touch people and change lives" here on the island of Oahu.

Touching People & Changing Lives

                     NLBC Hawaii is touching people and changing lives not only during our church services but through our food bank and outreach ministry.