Founding and Early Beginnings:
New Life Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc., a proud member of the Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc., traces its origins to June 1969. It was founded by the devout Deacon Curtis and Mother Theresa Wilks, whose unwavering faith and dedication laid the foundation for what has become a beacon of spiritual guidance and community support.
The Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc., our parent organization, was established in 1939 by the late Elder Harry Johnson in Avon Park, Florida. This mother church has been a cornerstone of Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal faith, providing spiritual nourishment and a sense of belonging to countless believers.
Humble Beginnings:
Our journey began at the Boca Raton Hospital Chapel prayer room with just three people. This small but fervent group soon expanded into a Wednesday night prayer group, meeting in members’ homes. The last Wednesday night prayer service ended at Elder Eddie and Mother Loretta Ward’s house, where over 80 people gathered to be ministered to, and what a time we had indeed. This intimate setting fostered a strong sense of community and mutual support.
First Ministry Building:
Our first ministry building was located in Boynton Beach, Florida, on Overlook Road. This was a significant milestone for our growing congregation, providing a dedicated space for worship and community activities.
Leadership Transition and Growth:
Under the divine guidance and vision of Bishop James Mims, we were appointed as pastors on December 15, 1996, of the Collier City Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new chapter. With faith and determination, we transformed the church into what is now known as New Life Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc.
Ministry Outreach:
- A Ministry Moment with Dr. Alex L. Jenkins, Sr.: This ministry has been instrumental in establishing the media stability of New Life Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc. By leveraging various media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and the church website, “A Ministry Moment” shares the Gospel far and wide, connecting with believers and seekers alike. This outreach has significantly expanded our church’s influence and accessibility, making the message of faith and hope available to a broader audience.
- Dr. Latrina Jenkins International Ministries: This ministry has played a pivotal role in shaping our church through its dedicated focus on outreach to hurting women, the homeless, and international communities. With initiatives in Africa, Haiti, the Bahamas, and beyond, Dr. Latrina Jenkins International Ministries embodies our church’s commitment to global evangelism and humanitarian aid. The ministry addresses critical needs, providing support and resources to some of the most vulnerable populations, and fostering international partnerships that extend our mission of love and service.
Accomplishments and Milestones:
- New Life Preparatory Academy: Established in 2000, this academy serves grades K-12, allowing students to earn their high school diploma while obtaining a Christian education. Each year, the school continues to evolve and grow, contributing to the academic and spiritual development of our youth.
- Pompano Beach Football Yellowtails: In 2005, we established the Pompano Beach Football Yellowtails. This program, initiated by Dr. Alex Jenkins, offers young men in the community a second chance. The Yellowtails equip young men with opportunities to avoid incarceration and provide those who had dropped out of school with another chance to achieve success.
- Evangelism Efforts: A significant achievement of New Life Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc. is its dedicated evangelism efforts, going from door to door to reach the lost in every city. This initiative aims to evangelize and increase church membership, bringing more people into the faith community.
- Water Baptism in Jesus Name: One of the core ministries of the church is water baptism in Jesus Name. Since our founding in 1996, we have baptized thousands in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins, building up the Kingdom of God and changing lives for Jesus Christ one soul at a time.
- Titus 1 Mandate: In 2024, we started the Titus 1 Mandate, which is to ordain Elders in every city. By ordaining elders as the scripture has mandated, we are able to evangelize communities and win souls to Christ. This work, led by Apostle Dr. Alex Jenkins, focuses on planting churches in every city as a result of fulfilling the mandate.
Current Location:
Today, we are located at 131 NE 9th Street, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060. Our current facility serves as a hub of spiritual growth, community service, and fellowship. Under the dynamic leadership of Apostle Dr. Alex L. Jenkins, Sr., and Elect Lady Dr. Latrina W. Jenkins, our church continues to flourish, embodying the spirit of our founders while embracing the future with faith and optimism.
Significant Milestones in 2024:
As part of our Spiritual Renewal campaign, we relaunched several key departments to enhance our community outreach and spiritual growth:
- Missionary Department: The “Missionary in Action” initiative was launched, enhancing missionary work locally and abroad. This resulted in an increase in volunteer projects and partnerships, significantly improving the efficiency and impact of our missionary efforts.
- Women’s Department: The department hosted various fellowship events, including movie nights and the DLJ Virtuous Women Conference. This conference brought together women from all over, encouraging and supporting them in their faith journey.
- Homeless Ministry: We achieved a significant milestone by providing essential support and care to those in need throughout the year.
- Media Outreach Ministry: Our media team, having been at the forefront since before the pandemic, continued to capture and share special moments, technically reaching thousands within the church community and beyond.
- Men’s Department: The department focused on uniting in fellowship to strengthen bonds and support one another in faith and community. A new branch, “A Circle of Men,” was created to guide men through instruction and prayer, with Apostle Alex Jenkins playing a major role in accountability and support.
- Youth Department: We celebrated a milestone in our Youth Department, where young members are trained and equipped for Christian service. The youth are empowered through biblical teaching and Sunday School, and they engage in fun activities like movie nights and bowling to create bonds in fellowship while sharing the love of God with others.
Vision for the Future:
As we look to the future, New Life Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc. remains committed to its mission of spreading the gospel, serving the community, and fostering a spirit of love and unity. We invite you to join us on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation.
May God continue to bless and guide us as we strive to fulfill His divine purpose.