History

New Beginnings - Church of God by Faith, Inc.

“God’s Omnipotent Glory has beamed through the trees
of the Church at New Beginnings/Newnans Lake for more than 80 Years”

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Today’s Verse

HISTORY
New Beginnings Church Of God By Faith, Inc
(Formerly - Newnans Lake COGBF)

Former Pastors

Elder Richard Lang
(1949-1953)

Elder Richard Hines
(1954)

Elder Henry Patrick
(Dates unknown)

Elder Walter Camps
(1955-1961)

Elder HA McKnight
(Dates unknown)

Elder George Dix
(1962-1965)

Elder Joseph Camps
(1966-1999)

Elder Charley Jordan
(2000-2003)

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Elder Jackie Reynolds, Sr.
(2004 to 2010)

New Beginnings
Logo

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COGBF LOGOS
Initial
By Faith Old MO

Current
By Faith Logo

The roots of Pentecostalism in the Copeland community had it's beginning in the year of 1918, shortly after Mother Coker of Thomasville, Georgia came to the home of Elder Nelson Carter, which was located between Gainesville and Fairbanks, Florida and there she began a prayer meeting. During this Holy Ghost Revival the following people were blessed with the Holy Ghost: Mose McKnight and wife, Sister Chislom, Will Ellis and wife Rebecca, Minnie Robinson, Henry Patrick, and wife Mary, Pinkney McKnight, Eliot McKnight and wife Lucy, Moriah Session and Jim Williams and his wife.

This group of saints formed the nucleus of the body of baptized believers that was to later become known as the Church of God by Faith.

The group continued for a while without having a permanent church building for worship services. They would meet in their homes to praise God and hold "Tarry" services. The community was without a holiness church, however, there existed at that time two Methodist churches, African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) and Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.). The A.M.E. church was located near the Newnan's Lake Cemetery about % miles south of what is now State of Florida property. The C.M.E. church was located where the cemetery is presently located. The two churches were closed when the Holiness church began to draw members from these two congregations.

The first Holiness church was built across what was then called the "Branch", where the old Henry Patrick homestead was located sometime in the fall of 1920-21. Elder H.R. Patrick donated the property for this church.

Mother Coker, who began the work here at New Beginnings, was a member of the Triumph church. The new congregation did not align themselves with this organization but remained independent until the late 1920's at which time some of these members went to visit the Church of God by Faith's Annual meeting then being held in Alachua, Florida. After meeting with Bishop Aaron Matthews, this group decided to join the By Faith family of churches.

The New Beginnings Church of God by Faith was first established in 1929. In the early days of the church there was no one appointed to pastor this congregation, but the local Ministers took rotations at preaching the Gospel. The first full time Pastor was Elder Eddie Clay. Elder H.R. Patrick who succeeded Elder Clay was succeeded by Elder Richard Lang.

Elder Richard Lang requested permission from the local school board Superintendent, Mr. Zetrourer, to have church services in the old school house, which was, located a few feet from our current site to the north side. The old school building was donated to the church for $1.00, which was the cost for recording the deeds in 1949.

The first Board of Trustees consisted of three persons: Brother Buddy Love, Sister Geneva McKnight Watts and Mother Mary Patrick Graham.

The new church building was erected in 1964 under the leadership of Elder George Dix who served as pastor from 1962-1965. Other pastors serving this congregation included the following individuals:

Elder Jackie Reynolds  2004 to 2010
Elder Charley Jordan Jr.  1999 to 2003
Elder Joseph Camps  1966 to 1999
Elder George Dix  1962-1965
Elder Walter Camps  1955 to 1961
Elder Richard Hines  1954
Elder Richard Lang  1949 to 1953

Other pastors whose term of office could not be positively identified:
Elder Henry R. Patrick
Elder Eddie Clay
Elder Horace A. McKnight
Elder Billy Ryans

The original membership of about 15 had grown to 27 in 1960 and has continued to grow since that time.

The church at New Beginnings Church of God by Faith was renovated in 1983 under the leadership of Elder Joseph Camps Sr.

Some of the early members included Mary Patrick, Elliott McKnight, Will Ellis, Rebecca Ellis, Mary Chisolm, Moriah Session, Bertha McClellan, Rosa Patrick, Martha Jones, Buddy Love, Alexina Love, Jim Goins, Elizabeth Goins, Patrick Robinson, Oscar Graham, Estelle Williams, Geneva McKnight Warts, Annie McKnight Robinson and Willie McBeth.

Of the original membership and some who were to serve later, all of them have gone to sleep in Jesus; however, many of the children and grandchildren are currently serving within this congregation, and throughout the Church of God by Faith, Inc.

The New Beginnings Church of God by Faith seeks to bear witness to God's work of redemption through Jesus Christ in our worship services, and in service to its community.

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