Our Roots and Early Years

The History of Life Church International

Life Church International was established in 2010 and became a truly international family of churches. For information, please read our early years chapter. But first, allow us to share with you where it all began.

Our Roots

During the 1970s and 80s, many New Zealand Christians crossed the Tasman and made Australia their new home. Some pioneered independent churches, and others linked up with churches in established streams.

Early in 1993, a small group of such ministers, most of whom had roots established in New Life Churches of New Zealand before coming to Australia, met to discuss the possible formation of “New Life Churches of Australia.” They agreed that Australia did not necessarily need another “family” of churches.

However, they felt there was room for a church family such as New Life, which was built around relationships rather than regulations. This provided opportunities for those who were presently “unattached” to link into a fellowship of churches for accountability, fellowship and mutual encouragement.

Thus, the seeds of New Life Churches in Australia were sown.

1988

  • David and Chih Yunn Boyd migrate from Christchurch, New Zealand, to Cabramatta, Sydney, Australia, to plant a church. The Jesus Family Cabramatta is planted under the covering of New Life Churches of New Zealand.

1991

  • Gary and Joyce Dench left Christian City Church to pioneer a new church plant in the Parramatta area of Sydney. This is named Parramatta New Life Christian Centre, reflecting its roots with New Life Churches in New Zealand.

1993

  • A preliminary planning meeting with six interested ministers took place in July in Sydney. In October, four Australian ministers attended the annual New Life Churches of New Zealand Conference in Waikanae. Discussions were carried out with the New Zealand leadership regarding the formation of New Life Churches in Australia. In November, New Life Churches in Australia formally commenced as an organisation.

1994

  • First national conference of New Life Churches in Australia (thereafter held annually every August until 1999). Australian delegates attended, 16 full-time, plus a number of part-time attendees. Also present were Peter Morrow, John Walton and Max Palmer from New Zealand.
  • The Rock Church from Liverpool, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, affiliates with New Life Churches.

1995

  • Gam Gurung returns home to Lamjung, Nepal, after becoming a Christian in Australia.

1998

  • The Australian Government acknowledges New Life Churches as a group of churches legally permitted to credential marriage celebrants.
  • New Life Lamjung planted in Lamjung, Nepal by Gam and Maita Gurung.

1999

  • New Life Church is planted in Girrawheen, Western Australia, by Tom and Jane Bond.
  • The Meklit Gospel Ministry is founded by Mesfin Abebe for the purpose of church planting in Ethiopia.

2000

  • New Life Church is planted in Mt Druitt, New South Wales, Australia, by James Tonga.
  • First multicultural conference held. The keynote speaker, P.G. Vargis from the Indian Evangelical Team.

2003

  • Alex and Rocio Mendoza leave Australia to temporarily return home to Peru with a vision to see New Life Churches established in South America.
  • Liverpool City Church in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, pastored by Bill and Julia Valevatu affiliates with New Life Churches.

2004

  • New Life Church is planted in Dandenong, Victoria, Australia, by John and Joanne Yao.
  • New Life Church is planted in San Miguel, Lima, Peru, by Alex and Rocio Mendoza.
  • Samoa New Life Christian Fellowship Brisbane is planted in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, by Malie and Amuia Ioelu.
  • Living Well Christian Church is planted in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, by Maurice and Sharyn McDonald.

2005

  • Harvest Time New Life Church planted in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, by Liufau and Hulita Manoa.
  • New Life Church planted in Comas, Lima, Peru, by Alex and Rocio Mendoza.

2006

  • Spanish New Life Church in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, pastored by Dante and Maria Fuentes affiliates with New Life Churches.

2007

  • In the state of Piura (Northern Peru), 14 Churches formally join New Life Peru.
  • Moses Tay of Gateway Christian Fellowship, Melaka, Malaysia, links with Jesus Family Cabramatta to work together as sister churches.
  • A New Life team visited Cambodia on an exploratory trip. Later that year, one hectare of land in Prolay Lourng Krom, Cambodia, is purchased by Cambodians living in Australia for church planting.
  • Jesus Family Kathmandu starts with over 100 people attending the first meeting. Ait Limbu is commissioned to pastor this church.

2008

  • Meki Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • Next Level Church is planted in Jakarta, Indonesia, by Hendri and Daisy Sakudu.
  • Grace New Life in St. Marys, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is planted by Gideon and Jamemal Jesudoss as a Sunday night outreach.
  • Dominion Life Ministries from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, pastored by Peter and Amelia Baleiwei affiliates with New Life Churches.
  • Jesus Family Prolay Lourng Krom is planted in Cambodia by Reth Mean.
  • Debrebirhan Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • Ticho Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • Zeawy North Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • A leadership conference is established in Nepal by Jesus Family Kathmandu for leaders of churches connected to New Life.
  • Hai Hong in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, seeks to connect his church to New Life.

2009

  • Bekakesa Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • Bulbula Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • Kuyera Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • The first national New Life Churches in Australia Youth camp is held in New South Wales, Australia. DNA, as it is called, (Diversity, Nations, Anointed).
  • Jesus Family Sawanagi is established in Central East Nepal.
  • Zeawy South Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • Jesus Family Myanmar is planted in Yangon, Myanmar, by James Philipsz.
  • Life Sanctuary Church is planted in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, by Sainu and Shincy Pulickal.

2010

  • Adematulu Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • New Life Churches in Australia’s name change to Life Church International is unanimously agreed to by all attendees of the movement’s conference in Sydney, Australia.

The Early Years

This chapter outlines the history of Life Church International in its first decade.

2010

  • Enjiru Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • Land is purchased in Kathmandu to build a facility for Jesus Family Kathmandu for church meetings and leadership training.
  • The first Life Church International leadership conference is conducted in Vietnam. From this conference, four churches in Hai Phong, Vietnam, formally connect with Life Church International.
  • Enseno Meklit Gospel Church is established in Central Ethiopia.
  • Serineka Meklit Gospel Church is established in Northern Ethiopia.

2011

  • Samoa New Life Christian Fellowship Auckland from Auckland, New Zealand, becomes a member church of Life Church International.
  • Samoa New Life Christian Fellowship Melbourne is planted in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, by Sitiveni and Valasi Lauaki.
  • Jesus Family Marrickville is planted in Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, as a second congregation of Jesus Family in Sydney.
  • Jesus Family Church Adelaide is planted in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, by Paul and Dim Khai.

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