The Dream of newhope

We dream of a church that shines
brightly as a beacon of faith, hope, and love in
Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and
surrounding areas - a church that is made up of real
people who actively lead others to a real
Savior and meet real needs as they are compelled
by a real God to do so.

We dream of a church full of
people who have hearts for God and are
so contagious with authentic Christian life
that non-believing, dechurched, and
unchurched people are drawn
to experience Jesus for themselves - many
for the first time!

We dream of a church where people
know they are loved because they know how to share
their needs with each other, they know how
to pray for each other, they know how to support and
encourage each other, and they know how
to spur each other on to be all that
God intends them to be.

We dream of a church where discipleship
is taken seriously - where people deeply desire to
grow in their knowledge and experience of Jesus. We
long for a church where people grow spiritually
because they put their faith into action, using the gifts
and talents God has given as they intentionally seek to
fulfill His calling upon their lives.

We dream of a church where spiritual gifts
are discovered and deployed for God's glory - a
church where leaders lead, administrators
administrate, teachers teach, and caregivers give
care; a church where people with mercy gifts offer
mercy and people with hospitality gifts make all feel
welcome; a church where all the other spiritual
gifts found in the Bible are effectively utilized
as God calls people to use them.

We dream of a church where everything
happens as a result of diligent prayer and the
leadership of the Holy Spirit. Where people humbly
go wherever God leads for His glory, and for the
benefit of needy and unbelieving people.

We dream of a church where young
children are raised in a relevant children's ministry
so that the faith they come to know can enable
them to grow to maturity in Christ - a church where
their continued experience of Jesus Christ will
carry them through the turmoil and challenges of
adolescence and young adulthood because they have
seen authentic Christianity lived out by the adults
who surround them.

We dream of a church where people
expect to encounter God in worship and wait with
excited anticipation for the next opportunity
to gather together.

We dream of a church that refuses to be
ingrown or self-focused. A church that is respected
by all because it breathes hope and life into this world
as it meets needs and transforms lives. A church
that is so caught up in what God is doing that
it generously shares its resources with those in need,
and with other works of God around the world.
We dream of newhope church.

Dr. Benji W. Kelley, Founding Pastor

newhope church

In 2002, Pastor Benji and Amy Lynn started newhope church with a clear dream. While it is too long to print here, we encourage you to read the dream found on the large wall in the rotunda, above the Fireside Room. While this dream started out as, "I dream" in time, it has become "We Dream..." as God has united a passionate movement of believers committed to growing the God honoring biblical community described in Pastor Benji's original dream!