About Us

The mission of New Life is to reach, connect, and disciple people toward Jesus Christ.

Reach

Reaching into all areas of the community to share the truth and love of Jesus Christ with those around us.

Connect

Connecting people with God as well as one another and providing a safe place for us all to grow together in Christ.

Disciple

Educating and empowering believers to become disciples of Christ, sharing the gospel with those around them.

New Life Wilkesboro Beliefs

Our Beliefs

New Life is a Bible-based church. That means we believe and practice what is explicitly taught in the Bible. We believe and teach the following:

The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and perfectly preserved Word of God. It is true in all that it teaches. As the flawless Word of God, it is our only authority for what we believe and how we live (2 Tim 3.15-17).

The gospel is the good news that Jesus lived a perfect life, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again three days later. We express our belief in the gospel through our obedience to the gospel. We obey the gospel and apply it to our lives by repenting of our sins (death to sin), being baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins (burial), and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (resurrection) with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues. This threefold experience is the consistent pattern of conversion in the early church (1 Cor 15.1-4; 2 Thes 1.8; 1 Pet 4.17; Mark 1.15; Acts 15.7; Rom 6.3-4; Acts 2.4, 37-39; 8.9-17; 10.1-48; 19.1-7).

There is only one God. The One God has revealed Himself to us as our Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that is, the One God manifested in and through an authentic human life. The fullness of the godhead dwells in Jesus bodily. To see Jesus is to see God. (Deut 6.4; John 14.9; Eph 4.4-6; Col 2.9; 1 Tim 3.16).

Everyone has sinned and needs salvation. Salvation comes by grace through faith based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Rom 3.23-25; 6.23; Eph 2.8-9).

As Christians we are to love God and love others. We are to worship God joyfully and seek to live a life that is pleasing to him both inwardly and outwardly—in our thoughts, words, and actions. We are empowered to live a life pleasing to God through the Holy Spirit. As a Pentecostal church, we believe that the supernatural gifts of the Spirit are at work in and for the church today and are available to all Spirit-filled believers (Mark 12.28-31; 1 Cor 12.8-10; 2 Cor 7.1; Rom 8.13-14; Gal 5.19-26; Heb 12.14).

Jesus Christ is coming again to rapture his church. In the end will be the final resurrection and the final judgment. The righteous will inherit eternal life in heaven with Jesus Christ, and the unrighteous eternal death. (1 Thes 4.16-17; Rev 20.11-15).

Pastor Jonathan and Dottie Russell, New Life Wilkesboro

Our Pastor

Jonathan and Dottie Russell have been married for almost 20 years and have five amazing kiddos; Kaitlyn, Timothy, Braden, Chase and Adalyn. They love God and love people. They are passionate about God, family, and fun while holding fast to the mission of New Life; Reaching, Connecting, and Discipling.

Jonathan holds a degree in Bible & Theology from Indiana Bible College and is a licensed minister with the United Pentecostal Church International. He is passionate about the Apostolic doctrine, sufficiency of Scripture, transforming power of the Holy Ghost, and the importance of the local church. He loves the people of Wilkes County and plans to grow old preaching God’s Word here.

Connect Groups

As our church grows, Connect Groups are vital to maintain close relationships. These groups are a great way for people to be a part of a community and to find solid friendships, support and people to do life with. No matter what stage of life you’re in, there is a Connect Group for you.

New Life Kids
Acts29 Youth, New Life Wilkesboro
New Life Ladies' Minsitry
New Life Men's Ministry
New Life Married

Our History

“Every Story Has a Beginning” has been a longtime mantra of New Life Wilkesboro. We believe in small beginnings. We embrace the process of individually and collectively growing in God.

This is our story…

In 2013, Bishop Wayne Huntley shared the vision of the Carolina Crusades. The vision was to plant 10 churches in one day in 10 North Carolina counties that did not have an UPCI church. Wilkes County was targeted as one of those beginning locations.

Wilkes, NC, Carolina Crusades
New Life Wilkesboro History

On September 10. 2014, we held our initial ‘kick off’ service. Only three from the community attended. We don’t despise our small beginnings.

However, many from our community joined us a month later, October 18, as we launched New Life Wilkesboro on the VFW Campground in North Wilkesboro during the Carolina Crusades. On that day, statewide, more than 1,700 were in attendance at these 10 new locations. Many came to the Lord and we witnessed more than 500 who were filled with the Spirit, 87 baptized in Jesus’ name and more than 40 notable miracles.

Shortly after, Pastor Jonathan and Dottie Russell moved their family to North Wilkesboro and began to ‘sow the seed’ of revival in Wilkes County.

The embryo of a church began in a storefront at 810 Statesville Road, North Wilkesboro, then grew as we reached into all areas of the community with the gospel. Our focus has always been on connecting people to God and each other as well as discipling and empowering believers.

On August 6, 2017, New Life Wilkesboro moved to our current location at 1103 Walnut Circle, Wilkesboro. We have experienced continued growth, numerically and spiritually. God has been so kind to us – we believe the best is yet to come!

We invite YOU to be a part of our story. No matter what you look like, where you come from, or who you are… you are WELCOME at New Life Wilkesboro.

Our First Church Anniversary New Life Wilkesboro

We Can’t Wait to Meet You!