A brief history of New Beginnings. . .
New Beginnings Church was founded in November of 2001 with the full support of the American Baptist Churches USA. While the denomination recognized the new congregation and supported it physically and prayerfully, the denomination did not have the finances available to aid the new congregation. Consequently, the congregation was financially responsible for itself from inception.
New Beginnings was founded upon the principle of a Purpose Driven Church model first conceptualized by Rick Warren of the Saddleback Community Church in San Diego, California. The purpose of New Beginnings is “to lead people into MEMBERSHIP in Christ’s family, to develop them to Christ like MATURITY as we equip and release them for their MINISTRY within the family of God and MISSION in the world while we MAGNIFY His name.”
New Beginnings was designed to reach out to the unchurched people of our community with contemporary, uplifting music and a practical, Biblical message. Demographic studies were conducted and it was determined that only 30% of the Murrysville, Export, Delmont, Penn Trafford area regularly attended worship in a Christian congregation. That means 70% of the population of our area does not attend worship on a regular basis. Our home is a prime location to reach the unchurched. Further demographic data indicated people of this area would be receptive to a warm, welcoming and loving Baptist congregation.
A site for the new congregation was chosen and the church moved into the Murry Industrial Park in August of 2001. New Beginnings would spend the next couple of years developing a core group of people who would be committed to our congregation and our ministry.
New Beginnings Church has grown from a handful of people to a membership of 125 people. Average Sunday morning attendance has grown from 15 in 2001 to 65 in 2010.
In April of 2010, New Beginnings moved to the Cloverleaf Community Clubhouse on Devonshire Drive in Delmont. In February of 2011, the congregation purchased the former St. Mary's Church in Forbes Road. Following extensive renovations, the facility was opened on Easter of 2011.
