The New Life Church was founded by the charismatic Late Bishop David Earl Barnes and the Late Overseer, Executive Pastor Sandra C. Barnes after co-laboring by his elder brother and pastors’ side (affectionately known today as Chief Prelate Apostle Marcus G. Barnes), for eleven and a half years at Holy Dove Christian Fellowship Church in Newark, NJ.
Whenever Bishop talked about how New Life came to be, he would share that The Lord had spoken to him and told him “It’s time to launch out into the deep”. Bishop, who was Co-Pastor at the time, went to his then pastor and brother and shared what the Lord had told him. His beloved Pastor said, “The Lord told him the same thing” – It was confirmation!
With much excitement and fervor, the couple was most certainly about The Lord’s business. They formally incorporated the vision The Lord gave them and on August 6, 1995, The New Life Church was born.
The ministry had humble beginnings as the first few services were held at the couple’s home. However, they could not stay there as The Lord was truly blessing and the church quickly grew. As the church continued to expand the locations in which the services were held had to increase as well. Services were held in several locations, including The Motel Lodge on Rte. 10 in Livingston, where they remained for several months. The Bethel Haitian Baptist Church on Springdale Avenue in East Orange, where services were held for a few Sundays, Emmanuel A.M.E. on Hartley Street in Montclair for three years, and the Salvation Army in Montclair for a little over a month.
Then one hot summer afternoon, The New Life Church members gathered up the block and marched into its new and permanent home at 622 Thomas Boulevard in East Orange, NJ, singing and praising God all the way!
Bishop David affectionately called The New Life Church “the hospital church”, because you may have come in broken, but because of the supernatural power of God, you were made whole and didn’t leave the same.
Although Bishop David was the Senior Pastor, he did not labor alone. He was joined in ministry by his wife, Reverend Sandra C. Barnes, who he affectionately called his Nefertiti, Cushite Queen, Abyssinian Doll Baby, Voluptuous Black Woman that God gave to him, who served as Executive Pastor and First Lady. Bishop always doted about his beautiful wife, often publicly serenading her and reminding men that God comes first and when God blesses you with a wife you find a treasure and Pastor Sandra was his treasure from God.
Under the leadership of The Late Bishop and The Late Executive Pastor, many souls were saved. The ministry grew, not only through the preached word but through various evangelistic ministries, including The Men’s and Women’s Ministries, Music Ministry, Deacons Ministry, Multimedia Ministry, Married Couples Ministry, Youth Ministry, Praise Dance Ministry, Singles Ministry, Widows Ministry, Pastors’ W.I.F.E. Ministry, Salt and Light drama Ministry, Prison Ministry, Nursing home Ministry, Missionaries Ministry, Hospitality Ministry and many more.
In the twenty-five years that they were pastors, they imparted wisdom and left a "Legacy of Greatness!" Bishop David and Pastor Sandra were excellent mentors grooming various ministers, elders, missionaries, deacons, and evangelists to continue to pursue God's excellence in their lives. If you saw one you saw the other. The couple never allowed any illness, sickness or pain to stop them from being in their place and praising God.
Bishop and Pastor were not only spiritual parents to The New Life Church family but to other leaders whom they ordained and provided spiritual covering to. Through their respective ministries the same agape love shown to them reflects in the work they do for God. Those include Pastor Francine Brown of In God’s Presence Ministries in South Orange, NJ, Bishop Ronnie and Pastor JoAnn Washington of Divine Deliverance Worship Center in Statesboro, Georgia, Pastor William and Co-Pastor Deborah Hicks of Whole Life World Changing Church in Newark, NJ and Che-Star Ministries headed by Youth Pastor Anise Robinson, also known as Che-Che Da Supastar, which is a ministry focused on evangelism to youth and young adults through music and outreach events.
Both Bishop and Pastor had a love for education with secular careers in the educational field spanning more than 30 years. Bishop was a heavily sought-after sociology professor at Essex County College sharing his love for Christ even in the classroom. Pastor Sandra was not only a teacher for Newark public school system but also served as mentor to up and coming teachers in the Even Start early childhood education program. Even with all their accomplishments, what was more important to them was their ministry in winning souls for Christ Jesus, and they did it well. The couple decided combining their two loves would allow them to cast a wider net and The Umoja Family Academy, a 501C3 community development corporation was established.
Under their leadership, various community outreach events were held, including food giveaways, summer camps, and health fairs. Through their knowledge, grants were received, which not only helped the community but also employed congregants. Community projects were funded by various organizations such as the New Jersey Department of State, Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Commemorative Commission and March of Dimes Community grants.
Both Bishop and Pastor took every opportunity afforded to them to witness to the glory of God sharing their testimony to all who would listen. Whether it was at a married couple’s seminar, a conference workshop or preaching Sunday service. Bishop was a praiser using his melodic voice to sing everywhere God would open a door. Every March in gratitude for another year of life, Bishop would host an annual “Give It All Back to God” birthday revival and concert having ministers from all over come and use their gift to worship The Lord. To this day the annual birthday revival remains a tradition held by The New Life Church.
On November 11, 2020, The Lord called our beloved Bishop David Earl Barnes home to glory. Subsequently, Executive Pastor Sandra C. Barnes was elevated to Overseer. On December 17, 2020, in agreement with Chief Apostle Marcus G. Barnes at a meeting before the entire congregation, Overseer Barnes officially named Associate Pastor Brian Randolph as Senior Pastor Elect. On January 18, 2021, Overseer Executive Pastor Sandra C. Barnes completed her earthly task and gained her heavenly reward as she too was called home to glory.
On any given Sunday, you would hear Bishop say, “The church is in good hands”. As you can see, he was right as our new Senior Pastor Brian Randolph accepted the mantle and carries the vision forward, continuing the legacy.
Although our hearts are heavy, we are reminded of one of our Bishop's favorite songs and can hear him singing, "I Got A Crown Up In That Kingdom, Ain't That Good News!” We rejoice in knowing our leaders have crowns and great rewards for their great work - “Ain’t That Good News!”