Here stands New Hope Family Worship Center a testament to faith and community. New Hope Family Worship Center began its journey on September 1 1990. Originally it was named East New York Wesleyan Church. Rev Louis H Goodman served as Senior Pastor. Rev Dr Anthony M Graham was the Assistant Pastor.
The first service took place in a building owned by Lutheran Church of Our Savior. It was located at Linden Boulevard and Milford Street. Twelve founding members came from Jamaica-queens Wesleyan Church and First Wesleyan Church of Brooklyn. These members included the Goodmans the Grahams Gary and Maureen Winifred Graham Reuben and Lillian Aghedo Glenda Figuero Steve Howell and Pauline Jordan.
Several believers joined later adding invaluable contributions. These included Angela Whittaker Candy Duncan Rev John and Naomi Williams Noel Norton Rev Holly and Ramanan Chowtie. In April 1993 Rev Goodman felt a calling to St Thomas. Rev Graham became pastor on May 16 1993. The congregation moved to 736 Glenmore Avenue. They held their first service there on Good Friday in 1994.
As New Hope Family Worship Center grew they sought more space. They needed it for new ministries and the expanding congregation. In 1997 they purchased the building at 334 Ashford which they had leased. Renovations began to accommodate the ministries. By 1998 the building strained to hold the congregation even with two Sunday services.
After much prayer they implemented a two-phase building fund program. The members responded generously. This led to the purchase of the current worship center. It is located at 817 Livonia Avenue in October 2000.
The New Hope Family Worship Center faced physical challenges during the building project. They sought God’s guidance. The Fellowship Hall area was completed in late February 2001. It served as a temporary sanctuary. In September 2001 they moved into their current sanctuary.
Key believers continued to join New Hope. They added to the ministry’s effectiveness. These included Rev Sylvanie Charles Sis Irma Anderson Deacon Courtney Hinckson Rev Pearl and Don Glasgow Rev James and Sharon Samuel and Rev Errol and Maria Richards. New Hope Family Worship Center continued to grow. It increased from twelve members to an average weekly attendance of over 850.
New Hope has three daughter congregations. Canarsie Holiness Tabernacle is located in Canarsie. World Impact International Ministries is in Bushwick. House of Prayer Community Church is off Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. These congregations thrive and grow. They declare the message of God’s love. New Hope also has two campuses one in Coney Island and one in the Bronx. Both churches are in brick buildings and serve as community hubs.
New Hope Family Worship Center offers many ministries. These include a Social Services Program. It provides assistance with housing job fairs immigration and other social concerns. Counseling is available for those struggling with substance abuse. A thriving After School Program meets daily in the Fellowship Hall. New Hope ministers to the whole person. Their Soup Kitchen operates four days a week. It feeds over four hundred families weekly. Bags of groceries are shared every Saturday morning. Over two hundred seventy-five families are blessed weekly. Clothing is provided to the needy five days a week.
Join New Hope for in-person services on Sundays at 10:00 AM. You can also join the live stream on Facebook and YouTube. Past services are available on their YouTube channel.