Perhaps any new congregation would love to have the kind of start that New Horizons Church has experienced in just one year.
The Northside church is inviting the community to participate in celebrations for its one-year anniversary next week.
Pastor Eric Wiggins, senior pastor of New Horizons, said he and the congregation have been amazed by the way God has moved in the area of salvation.
“In the first year at a church you never know what to expect or how things will go,” said Wiggins. “But God has blessed us with hundreds of people who have joined, and many of them accepted Christ for the first time. We’ve been able to disciple and impact our community, so God has not only given us vision, but also provision. We’re looking forward to what God has in store.”
New Horizons, which started out with just enough ministry leaders to hold Sunday service and Tuesday Bible study, now has 20 ministries. Two of the most recent additions include ministries for men and women designed to help them develop their God-given talents and achieve personal and family goals.
Wiggins noted that in its second year the church will continue to focus on evangelism and expand with outreach ministries that will serve needs in the areas of economic development and education.
“We would like to partner with school administrators, parents and students to see how we can come along side and offer support for educational goals,” Wiggins said. “We’re looking to first establish partnerships with schools in the area where we worship, including North Central High School and Northview Middle School.”
New Horizons was launched last summer as the third church plant of Eastern Star Church, which has sponsored the development of new congregations in areas across the city to strengthen evangelism efforts.
Wiggins, who has a background in business administration, developed his ministry and preaching skills as associate pastor of preaching and development at Eastern Star, led by Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr. Johnson selected Wiggins to lead the latest church plant.
Starting the new church wasn’t easy, and Wiggins offers considerable thanks to Eastern Star for its moral and technical support.
“We thank God for the growth of the New Horizons Church under the leadership of Pastor Wiggins,” Johnson said. “We look forward to seeing how God will continue to bless our community through New Horizons Church.”
For many members New Horizons is a dynamic place of worship where individuals experience a warm reception, fellowship, God’s love and the love of his people.
Terrence Brinker, who joined New Horizons in November, said his family has been blessed tremendously in a loving environment under Wiggins’ leadership.
“Everyone in the family is getting fed and growing spiritually,” Brinker said. ”Pastor Wiggins is both a preacher and a teacher. He has the ability to take a Scripture you have heard thousands of times and give new life to it.”
Tina Smith was impressed that New Horizons allows new members to get involved in ministry immediately, as opposed to having them finish new member courses first. She and her husband Larry are involved in the nursery and youth ministry.
“I encourage people to come out and visit us if they want a church home where they can be a part of family that is committed to seeking God and turning faith into action,” Smith said.
Wiggins is excited about implementing the church’s goal of developing more ways to reach out to those who don’t know Christ.
“We strive to be a place where the word of God is preached with clarity so that people can see what God’s word has to say to them and what he wants them to achieve,” said Wiggins. “We would like New Horizons to be a place where people can salvation and also have positive influence on our community.”
