Brief History

New Life Temple Church (NLT) was established in February 1972 by the late Dr. Ralph Godfrey Sr. It has been a place where people have come to worship a true and living God. Since its humbled beginnings, this church has formed several substantial scripture based training programs as well as a bible college and leadership institute founded with an objective to equip saints for the work of the Kingdom. Never forgetting its purpose, New Life Temple has been diligent to do its part in promoting and establishing the Kingdom of God in the earth.  


As of September 2011, Dr. Ralph Godfrey Jr. is now the Senior Leader of New Life Temple Church and it is his goal to continue moving forward in the work already established by his predecessor. Dr. Ralph Jr. seeks to position NLT in a place that every individual member will know that they have been called to impact the world around them with the same Spirit and power that was in Christ Jesus.


If you have never attended NLT, it is an experience that you will never forget! Our desire is to have a true encounter with GOD every time we come together. We believe that we are called to shine forth in these dark times (thus the images of lighthouses). Our lives should be a beacon of hope to all who are lost in this wayward journey. We are committed to leading people in the way of truth in Christ by expressing the love of God to all, preaching a sound gospel message, making disciples and living a successful Kingdom lifestyle.

NLT Church- An Apostolic Movement

What sort of Church is New Life Temple?

New Life Temple considers itself a New Testament Church that believes that the same power needed at the birthing of the Church is the same power needed today. NLT is a Church that attempts to operate under the biblical guidelines outlined through the various principles, concepts, and teachings presented within the confines of the Bible.


One such principle is seen in the Church of God returning to its roots established through its apostolic movement. New Life Temple also sees itself as part of an apostolic movement. The apostolic movement involves the church's emergence into the powerhouse that it was suppose to be. It operates under the guidance of the Holy Spirit allowing Him to uncover the aposotolic graces granted the church when it was birthed.


We believe that we have been bless as a Church that operates and functions with apostolic graces. This simply means that we have been graced to have a five-fold ministry. Although some believe that the apostle and prophet are the featured ministry of the five-fold graces, we believe that the apostle and prophet are members who operate as part of a team.  That team includes the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.


What exactly are Apostolic graces? 

As a five-fold team, we have been sent out to do effective ministry for other churches within the Body of Christ. We have installed pastors, confirmed leaders, and established ministries to fulfill their Kingdom destiny. We see the apostolic graces aa simply men & women of God being sent into the world to impact the destiny of others. Whether its to lead the lost to Christ or help birth ministries, we use our graces to compliment what the Kingdom of God is doing and reject the notion for competing with others in ministry.   


In the New Testament there are two words that mean ‘sent out”. The first word in Greek is pèmpo which is the word used for sending. However when we speak of the term "apostello", it is used to denote the sending of persons with a commission and in some cases to denote a divine sending and authorization. Usually the term “commission" involves the authority given to perform a task. With that said, we believe that New Life Temple has been given the grace to go forward with authority to impart, bless, equip and even encourage a diverse segment of the Body of Christ.

Our Beliefs


THE BIBLE


The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it was inspired by God, the Bible is truth without any mixture of error and is completely relevant to our daily lives.

 

Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Psalms 119:11, 89, 105; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 22:29; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 3:16

 

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A TRIUNE GOD


God has existed in relationship with Himself for all eternity. He exists as an eternal being in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority.

 

Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 1:35; John 5:21-23; 14:10, 16; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8-10; James 2:19

 

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THE FATHER


God is great: He is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, Holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is our Father. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.

 

Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4


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THE SON


Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for perfection. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have life.

 

Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 28:5-6; Luke 22:70; 24:46-47; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 11:25-27; 17:1-5; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 8:1-3; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Gal 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16


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THE HOLY SPIRIT


The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. He guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ. He convicts people of their sin, God’s righteousness, and the coming judgment. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ. He is the indwelling power of God in the believer that instigates our sanctification, regeneration, and transformation into the image of the Son. Lastly, He empowers us to move in miracles, signs, and wonders, which justifies the greatness needed to impact the world around us.

 

Genesis 1:2; Psalm 51:11; 139:7 ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 1:10; Lk 1:35; 4:1; 11:13; 12:12; John 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 13:2; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 22:17

 

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ETERNITY


Man was created to exist forever. He will exist either eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is Heaven. Heaven and Hell (Lake of Fire) are places of eternal existence.

 

John 3:16, 36; Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15


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MAN


Man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of His creation. Man was created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, man cannot attain a right relationship with God through his own effort. Every human personality is uniquely created, possesses dignity, and is worthy of respect and Christian love.

 

Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11


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SALVATION


The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.

 

Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-66, 28:1-6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18; 3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20

 

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THE CHURCH


The Church is a living organism comprised of a local community of  believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the Gospel to the world. The Church works together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ.

 

Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3