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Our History

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OUR HISTORY

It was started as an outreach ministry for the Senior Citizens in downtown Los Angeles. Then, Dr. Virginia Cruz Roberts felt a calling to start a Seniors Ministry group in Chula Vista. The congregation was entrusted to the care of Rev. Nilo Jaren Lapasaran Jr, Senior Pastor of Jesus Our Hope International Assembly. Ptr. Ronald Tan was installed by the So Ca. District council of the AG upon the recommendation of Rev. Lapasaran.. Reinforced by some of JOHIA’s choicest leaders, namely: Abesamis, Altres, Abellas, Lopezes, Ulandays, Palads, Cruzes, Sadorras, Oquendos and the Gonzagas.


New Hope International Christian Center formerly known as International Charismatic Center was founded/pioneered by Dr. Virginia Cruz-Roberts in November 1996 in Burbank, Ca.


For over a year, the group was meeting at FilipinoAmericanCenter of Los Angeles (FACLA) at 1740 West Temple Street, Los Angeles every Sunday from 10am to 12 noon. The name was changed to New Hope International Christian Center (NHICC) on March 7, 1999. At that time we also adopted in full, the vision laid out in the Assemblies of God “We Build People”. Our sense of mission coincides directly with the Reaching, Planting, Training and Teaching emphasis of the Department of Foreign Missions.


A more suitable facility was found at 3030 West Temple St. and the growing congregation moved in July 2000. The Angeles family arrived in April 2001 to join the staff. A transition in leadership occurred when Ptr. Tan had to undergo medical surgery for his scoliosis. Ptr. Eric was installed as Interim Pastor in September 2001. In April 2002, Ptr. Richard Murphy arrived and was petitioned to be the Youth Pastor. The church continued growing and in October 2002 an evening service was started at Southland Christian Academy Day Care Center in Bellflower, with an initial attendance of 19. By December the attendance in Los Angeles was peaking at 80, which started raising some concerns regarding parking and building fire code occupancy violations. Concerned about possible penalties, the leadership decided to move out of the facility and temporarily move into the Bellflower Day Care Center, which was made available by its owner, Cerritos Desert Reign Assembly of God. January 2003 marked the move to the present facility at 16400 Woodruff Ave.Bellflower, CA.


The Lord started adding on new families and soon the different departments and ministries began developing: Worship Team, Youth, Children, Couples, Men, Women, Singles, Prayer, Music, Tambourine, MusicSchool, Home Cells, BereanSchool of the Bible, Visitation & Follow Up, Food Groups. The first batch of Corporate Church Members was inducted in March 2004.


Rev. Gunder & Mercy Grace Balista and their family arrived in September 2004 and joined the Pastoral Team. They later moved on the Fresno to join Holy Ground Family Fellowship.

 

The Lord continued to bless the work and a daughter church was planted in the city of Alhambra, 22 miles north of Bellflower. Pastor Kelm Masuecos served as outreach pastor until Pastor Nil & Nida Fernandez took over the leadership. They later moved the growing church to Glendale and has now been recognized as a Parent Affiliated church, known as NHICC Glendale.

 

In Dec. 2007, the congregation in Bellflower moved to North Long Beach renting the facilities of Glad Tidings Tabernacle

 

at 1900 E South St., Long Beach, CA where services are currently being held Sundays at 4:30 pm.

OUR BELIEFS

We believe that this present age is rapidly coming to a close. We believe that God will intervene in human affairs in judgment upon an ungodly world and a faithless church in a period called the "Great Tribulation."

Before this tribulation begins, all true believers will be taken out of the world supernaturally at the coming of the Lord in the clouds. This is called the "rapture of the church." It includes the resurrection of the "dead in Christ," as well as the translation of those believers who are alive at His coming. (I Thessalonians 4:1318; Romans 8:23; Titus 2:13)

We believe in a final judgment for the wicked dead, who will be raised and judged - according to their works. (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 19:29; 20:11-15)

ETERNAL LIFE

Eternal life was purchased for us by the sacrificial:death of Jesus Christ on the cross. We can be restored to a right relationship with God and receive eternal life by:

Repenting of all our past sins (deeds that are not according to God's will).

Placing our trust in Christ for eternal life, instead of good works.

Receiving Christ into our lives. Each person must make the decision to receive the gift of eternal life for themselves. (Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:8)

DIVINE HEALING

Healing from sickness is provided for us in the atoning work of Christ, and is available to all believers. (Isaiah 53:4,5; James 5:14-16).

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe all Christians are commanded to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit. This was the normal experience of the early Christians. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the physical evidence of speaking in other tongues.

Spiritual evidence of this experience include the receiving of power for service and witnessing (Acts 1:8); a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43); intensified commitment to God and dedication to His work (Acts 4:42); and the gifts and fruit of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12-14; Galatians 5 20-23)

ORDINANCES

We observe the Lord's Supper monthly in our church. This is an open communion in which all believers present are invited to participate. We also practice water baptism by immersion as the outward sign and testimony of the Christian to the inner work of the Spirit. We do not baptize infants, but parents are encouraged to dedicate children to the Lord in a worship service.

WORSHIP

We believe that God is worthy of worship and praise. At New Hope everyone is encouraged to express themselves in worship. (Psalm 103:1)

PRAYER

We believe that God works miracles in our lives as we pray. (Mark 11:24)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe in and encourage the manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit in our lives. (I Corinthians 12:4-11)

MINISTRY OF THE WORD

We believe that the Bible is true and relevant for today. It has the power to change our lives. (Hebrews 4:12)

FELLOWSHIP

We believe that the Body of Christ should meet together regularly. Fellowship provides opportunity for mutual encouragement and spiritual growth.

OUR AFFILIATION

OUR JOURNEY

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OUR GATHERINGS

The Weekend experience at New Hope begins with testimonies coming from our Brothers and Sisters from Christ

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FIND YOUR FAITH

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1

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