GOOD FRIDAY (APR 2nd) CONCERT AT OCONEE COUNTY CIVIC CENTER

New Life Church of Watkinsville, Georgia was so excited to host our first annual Good Friday Concert on April 2, 2010. This extravaganza of worship and praise was performed before the God of Glory, a heavenly host of angels, and an audience of over three hundred people. The artist slated to perform through their musical arts were: Ryan Johns Band, David Huff (formerly of David & the Giants), The NLAC choir, and the NLAC drama and performing arts team. The Oconee County facility is a first rate facility and God's presence filled the 500 seat amphitheater. From the opening act to the last, people’s hearts were overjoyed with anointing and power coupled with the gospel message of hope through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Ryan Johns (pictured right) opened up this concert of praise with four contemporary songs from his upcoming album (to be released later this year). His awesome song writing talent along with masterful tracks paved the way for the Lord to receive our praise and worship. Then Bro. Mike Wilson from Tennessee ministered in a different sound, Southern Gospel. A touching rendition of great heartwarming songs saturated with an anointing straight from heavens gates gave the audience much anticipated hope in the resurrection. Following the NLAC drama and arts team, a Gospel Contemporary musician known all over the US, David Huff (pictured right), formerly of David & the Giants sang a number of power ballads ending with the hardcore “Run to his Mercy”. David has an unbelievable talent to write and compose music, but his testimony is what brings such power to his ministry.

The night ended with Sis. Dorcas Hammond and the hometown NLAC choir with four amazing songs such as “I’m Forgiven” and the “Power of the Cross”. Several first time guests dotted the crowd of worshippers with tears of joy as we finished the night with “Sold Out”. The choir along with Mike Wilson (pictured left - on keyboard) did a couple more verses as the crowd urged them on during this encore. A “shoutin” spirit was about to give way to the rapture as people clapped and sang along with the choir! Pastor Tim Hammond ended the night with an invitation to visit our church in Watkinsville. Visit us at http://www.nlac.tv/.

God Bless until the next time we meet again!

Scott Strawn

Outreach Director

NEW LIFE JAIL MINISTRY UPDATE - MARCH 2010

New Life Church wrapped up the last of its sessions on March 27, 2010 at the Oconee Jail facility. Scott Strawn, Steve Russell and Chris Greenwood were thankful to be able to go and witness and share the love of Christ once again. We want to thank Blake Miller, Zach Hammond, Steve Russell and Chris Greenwood for their work at the jail on March 20th. Pictured left are Chris Greenwood, Scott Strawn, Zach Hammond, and Steve Russell. On an average, we averaged about seven to ten male prisoners in our services each Saturday. Our approach was somewhat different this year as we felt led to have a more personal approach to ministering to the men in jail. Christ told his disciples that “if we have not done it unto the least of these, we have not done it unto him…” when speaking of reaching the homeless, destitute, imprisoned, and hungry. We received feedback a year ago from some of the prisoners who said they appreciated and liked our approach. We found many of the men in the jail to be Christians who had gone astray and were using this opportunity to re-evaluate their lives and start afresh and anew. We also found some who were not interested in hearing about the precious message of God’s love and sacrifice on the cross. However, we did not feel defeated or dismayed for the message of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. We were the “mailmen” who planted the seed and will soon see the fruits of our labor in new souls coming to Christ! New Life was gracious in their giving as we purchased New Testament bibles to hand out to the prisoners as well as reading glasses for those who could not see to read. It is awesome to be a part of such a great ministry team. New Life thanks Scott Strawn, Steve Russell, Chris Greenwood, Zach Hammond, Mercer Cox, and Blake Miller for their sacrifice of love to reach out to the Oconee County Jail. We also want to thank Ms. Marie Mitchell at the Oconee County Sheriff’s Department who was so gracious in working with us to let us come and minister. To all God fearing Christians, please remember to pray for those unfortunate souls who have made mistakes in their lives and are repaying their debt to society! The New Life Jail Ministry Team is shown below (from left to right): Steve Russell, Scott Strawn, Chris Greenwood, Zach Hammond, Mercer Cox, and Blake Miller.

NEW LIFE JAIL MINISTRY IN ACTION

March 8, 2010

Every year during the month of March, the Oconee County Jail allows New Life Church to do a prison service on each Saturday from 9:00am to 10:00am. We are excited about this year’s events and I believe the Lord has brought about a great prison ministry team: Scott Strawn, Steve Russell, Ashley Vaughn, Chris Greenwood, Zach Hammond, Blake Miller, and Mercer Cox. There will be others involved throughout the coming days. Thanks to Oconee Baptist Church and their pastor Steve Powers as well as the Oconee Sheriff’s Department for extending this invitation to minister to the prisoners.

This past Saturday, Mercer Cox, Scott Strawn, Steve Russell, and Chris Greenwood went in for an hour and ministered to the hurting and desperate souls in the jail. There were a total of five this past Saturday. The prospects are good for God to do great things in our county facility as the people of New Life Church are fasting and praying throughout the month for souls to be reached and won to Christ. The picture to the left shows the jail ministry team of New Life for this past Saturday’s activities. (Pictured from  left to right: Steve Russell, Scott Strawn, Chris Greenwood, and Mercer Cox)

NURSING HOME MINISTRY - FEBRUARY 2010

February 27, 2010

We had a great service in February at the facility in Snellville, Georgia. Park Wood Homes always do a great job taking care of their patients and allowing New Life to come and minister there once a month. We have been averaging almost forty participants in the services. This month we had another special speaker Ron Pasdon of Monroe, Georgia as well as special music by the outreach team. Again, Mercer Cox blessed the day with an awesome rendition of the Jeff and Sherrie Easter song “Over and Over…”. Ron, Mercer, Chris Greenwood, Jackie Self, Howard Hammond, and Scott Strawn completed the team on this blessed Saturday in February. We sang some great congregational numbers such as “I want to know more about my Jesus” and “Standing on the Promises”. Mercer Cox sang with great anointing and truly touched the hearts of the ministry team as well as the patients. Chris Greenwood gave a devotional on being the “Salt of the Earth” and principles of salt. Ron Pasdon gave a great talk on a never failing God during times of feeling neglected and alone. We ended the service with prayer for three individuals and Brother Wallace sang an old song with great praise in his heart. We look forward to the month of March. God Bless to our great pastor and pastor’s wife, Tim and Dorcas Hammond, who supports our ministry efforts in the Nursing Home ministry and all those faithful supporters of New Life Church in Watkinsville, Georgia.

PAMELA'S TESTIMONY - FEBRUARY 2010

MARCH 2010

Pamela Strawn was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor that was growing just below the brain in her head in 1991. She had known that this small tumor was there but was treatable with medications. From 1991 until 2009, it had appeared to have shrunk or at least stayed the same size. However, over the last three to four years, she had been getting numerous migraine headaches that made her way of life very difficult. These headaches would sometimes last three and four days long. This continual problem with the migraines prompted many doctor visits and then finally a brain scan. In late 2009, she was told by doctors after looking over the brain scan that the pituitary tumor was growing. It was unknown as to whether or not this was contributing to the headaches. There was some concern to the doctors as to “why” this tumor had started growing again. It seemed as if she was definitely going to face a very dangerous surgery to remove this tumor. However, according to the bible, those who serve the Lord with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength have promises from God concerning our health and welfare. Isaiah said it best in Isaiah 53, “by his stripes we are healed”. In the New Testament, the bible teaches that God would provide “our needs according to his riches in glory…” Pam through faith in the ministry was anointed and prayed for by the elders of the church. James said in his book that “the prayer of faith would save the sick…” Pam went to see some specialists at Emory University Hospital in Decatur, Georgia in the beginning of 2010. After further diagnosis, they told her that “the tumor appears to have ruptured and the body is absorbing the blood.” Surgery would not be required and she would recover. As time has gone on, it is now March and the headaches are getting fewer and fewer. Each headache seems to take less time to heal. It would appear that a “divine” healing has taken place and Jesus Christ through his precious blood and sacrifice on the cross has touched Pamela in a mighty way. To God Be the Glory!

NURSING HOME MINISTRY - JANUARY 2010

There was an awesome move of God in the January services. We had some truly great people come from New Life Church with us this month. Steve Russell was our special speaker and our special musical guest was Mercer Cox of Statham, Georgia along with Howard Hammond, the Garner family, Jackie Self, and Scott Strawn. We sang a number of the old congregational style hymns and Mercer Cox ministered in song called “The Lighthouse”. Chris Greenwood gave a great devotional as he usually does and Scott Strawn wrapped up the service with prayer for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bale. God truly touched Dorothy Bale in a mighty way. Steve Russell ministered in his usual awesome way and blessed the entire day.