Twenty-one-year-old Mark Jobe. That’s where the story of New Life Missionary Baptist Church begins. Right here in Chicago. In 1986. Twenty people gathered in a living room. A small group with a big dream. That small group became New Life. This church you see before you didn’t spring up overnight. It grew. It expanded. From that humble living room to its current state.
New Life Missionary Baptist Church wasn’t just a building. It was a community. A family. It was forged in faith and built on prayer. Mark Jobe. The young pastor. He married Dee six months later. Together they guided this congregation. They saw it blossom. Grow.
The church faced challenges. The first services weren’t held in grand halls. They started small. At Davis school. It expanded to three small groups. Think of it. Three small groups of believers. Their faith was their strength. Their community their support.
In 1994 they held their first forty days of fasting and prayer. It was a significant moment. It marked a turning point in the church’s trajectory. They even started mentoring people for baptism. Using booklets called “First Steps”. These weren’t just words on paper. They were pathways to faith.
By 1996 New Life had a bold vision. Pastor Mark prayed for one percent of Chicago’s population. That’s 30000 people. A testament to their ambition. Their faith. A Spanish service began in Curie High School’s band room. A sign of inclusivity.
In 1998 New Life Missionary Baptist Church opened a South location in Oak Lawn. Their weekly attendance soared past 1000. A milestone achievement. Proof of their growing influence. In 2000 they even restarted a church. Galilee Baptist Church became New Life Lakeview. A testament to their commitment to expanding their reach.
New Life Centers emerged in 2005. An extension of the church. It focused on community needs. Helping those in need. Providing a helping hand. Addressing societal issues. It became an integral part of New Life’s work.
By 2011 New Life had set ambitious goals. They aimed to grow by forty new locations. Mentor a thousand next generation leaders. Plant churches in ten global cities. Develop one hundred kingdom resources. It was a powerful vision. One they are actively pursuing.
New Life Missionary Baptist Church. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to faith. Perseverance. Community. A story written in prayer and fueled by hope. A story still being written right here in Chicago.