History of New Covenant Church
In the summer of 1996, a small group of six met on Sunday mornings on the deck outside David and Toni Cassidy's home to worship and hear the Word of God. One memorable Sunday, David gave a message based on John 2:6-10, telling the story of Jesus taking six clay pots of water and turning them into wine. Those "six clay pots" knew that day that God was going to do a work of power and grace among them. Within a few weeks, the Sunday morning gathering was growing too large for David and Toni's deck and was moved to John and Pam Stearns' home. By the end of a few months there was standing room only.
Sensing that the Lord was leading them to develop a more formal structure, six of the early members began plans to form this group into a church. John and Pam Stearns, Wayne and Vicki Dennis, Bill Ward, and Sandi Armstrong asked David Cassidy to consider becoming the pastor of this church, and David agreed. After much prayer and weeks of meetings, they carefully outlined all that God was speaking to them, forming the Mission Statement, the By-laws, and the name for this new church. It would be New Covenant Church, a broadly evangelical, trans-denominational church that would both reach out to the un-churched as well as welcome individuals from all walks of Christian faith. The worship would be a balanced blend of modern day choruses and hymns, incorporating the rich expressions of the Church, both old and new. There would be a strong emphasis on preaching God's Word, the Lord's Supper, spiritual growth, and missions. Sunday morning services would be reverent and ordered by God-not man-centered, but God-centered.
New Covenant Church (NCC) met for the first time on October 27, 1996, on Reformation Sunday at Lone Oak Lions Club with an astounding 120 in attendance. It was clear from the start that a larger meeting place was needed. After four weeks, NCC made its first move to Hendron/Lone Oak Elementary School. More moves would follow, including St. Mary's High School and the Robert Cherry Civic Center. Just like the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness, NCC was wandering-sometimes literally outside-to have the Sunday service. God was always faithful, and whether in the park, under a tent, or in a rented building, He made His presence real and ministered to His people. And, of course, He had a better plan.
One Sunday morning in June 1998, as 200 members of NCC exited the Cherry Civic Center, Harley Dixon, a deacon from Baptist Tabernacle Church, drove by and saw the enthusiastic overflow of people. He thought of his own church, which had dwindled to 37 members. As Mr. Dixon saw the sight of this large group without a building, the Lord impressed on his heart that these people were supposed to have his church's building. After Mr. Dixon, Frank Queen who was Baptist Tabernacle pastor, and the other deacons met, Baptist Tabernacle Church agreed. Their small and aging congregation was eager to see a new church carry forward a vital mission in a building they loved. They began discussions with NCC about purchasing the building, and on July 4, 1998, Baptist Tabernacle Church and NCC joined together for a Sunday morning service.
NCC purchased this beautiful, historic church building and all of its contents, located on the corner of Jefferson and 12 th Streets, for a mere $140,000. It was truly a gift from God. NCC also spent an additional $300,000 to renovate and restore the glory to this church structure. In January 1999, the remaining Baptist Tabernacle members joined NCC in another joint worship service and rededicated the refurbished, historic church to the glory of God. The elderly saints who had given up their church building wept as they saw dozens of children moving out into the aisle to attend their classes. God was bringing new life both to this building and to NCC.
As the church continued to grow, NCC had need of more space and more parking. Once again, God provided. In 2000, the owner of the business next door, Under $10,000 Used Car Dealership, approached NCC about selling his building and land to the church. The dealership owner, a local Sunday School teacher, told NCC that he thought God wanted them to have this property. The church concurred and bought the property, located behind NCC on Broadway. After renovating this structure, NCC was provided a fellowship hall, large kitchen, meeting rooms, administrative offices, and finally-adequate parking space. Also in 2000, NCC began a Capital Fund Campaign that successfully raised nearly half a million dollars toward the renovation of the church and the purchase of this new property.
Believing that the knowledge of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the seas, NCC remains a mission-oriented church in which 20% of its church members have been on a mission trip and 10% of offerings are dedicated to mission work. In late 1997, NCC undertook its first mission endeavor sending a team of six people to Africa. Since that time, the church has sent teams to China, Central America, and South America and has provided ongoing support for an evangelical missionary in the Middle East. In addition to foreign missions, NCC helped start Paducah Lifeline Ministries, Inc., a growing local ministry that reaches out to individuals with life-controlling addictions. The church also contributes to many other local ministries such as Paducah Cooperative Ministry, Hope Unlimited Family Care Center, and Martha's Vineyard.
As New Covenant Church looks ahead, the church anticipates not only numerical growth, but, more importantly, spiritual growth, and an ever-increasing participation in local and world wide missions to the glory of God.
1200 Jefferson Street • Paducah, Kentucky 42001 • (270) 575-3400
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