OUR JOURNEY
New Life Church has a rich history
With over 47 years of ministry from its conception,
1,000's upon 1,000's of lives changed and brought to christ throughout the world. Our church reflects a history of God's faithfulness toward us and his people.
Our Founders
Paved the way
Bishop James U Hicks and the late Pastor Lilla Hicks founded Full Gospel New Life Ministries in 1976. During its Genesis the church was named Full Gospel Deliverance Center. The ministry had its humble beginnings. Services were held in the basement of there house. A numerous number of people were recorded saved, healed and delivered during these times.
As the ministry continued to grow and the vision continued to expand. FGNLM secured multiple church properties and locations over the years, all the way up to our current location. 47 years of ministry has pointed to the great foundation that was laid by Bishop James and Pastor Lilla hicks.
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The ministries reach has circled the globe and is in no way slowing down.
New Life Church owes its gratitude to God for sending us such great founders to pave the way.
Bishop James u Hicks
Founder and Overseer
Lilla Hicks Co- founder
Our Journey So Far
Our Pastors
In October 14th 2023, Pastors Gary and Tanika were set in as the Lead Pastors of the newly named
New Life Church.
Pastor Gary along with his beautiful wife Tanika are the proud parents of five beautiful children. He is a native of California, while she is a native of Chicago. They will continue leading and trailblazing the way for New Life Church.
Lead Pastors:
Gary and Tanika Gray
About Pastor Gary
Prior to being ordained into ministry Pastor Gary spent over 18 years leading and directing various aspects of ministry in the church. He spent several years as a Director of music under several well known churches who reached and touched thousands weekly. His impact was instantly felt globally through the many songs and music he composed, arranged and written. He has shared the stage with several well known artist in the music industry and is respected amongst his peers as an accomplished Musician.
His ministry though very effective was not limited to music, God continued to stretch Gary by calling him to the mission field. For over a decade he and his wife has joined and spearheaded several missionary works around the globe. Most recently Providing wells in south Africa, Planting churches and economic relief efforts in Kenya, and spearheading youth projects in Jamaica.
Through his missionary work he has developed international partnerships that has opened the door for him to preach and minister internationally.
Pastor Gary joined a mentorship group named Project Gideon, where he and a small group of people were directly mentored by Bishop TD. Jakes and several well known pastors. This group provided a global perspective into ministry giving him the tools that he utilizes in ministry today.
In 2011 Pastor Gary was licensed as a minister under Pastor Henry T. Wells of Williamsburg, Va at Kingdom Life Church. There he was trained in ministry for over 9 years.
Pastor Gary mentored and developed the worship ministry there, as well as leading the teen Sunday School.
Prior to his almost a decade stay at Living Waters NN. Gary served under the leadership of Steven W Banks and Charlie Ammons, along the years he studied and was mentored by other well named 5 fold ministry gifts who helped train lead and develop his leadership skills along the way.
Pastor Gary has always had a heart for soul winning, and he will witness about Jesus wherever he goes. Evangelism rather on the street or In the work place is vital to him. Professionally he trained as a chef in the culinary industry both while spending his years in ministry. It was there he witnessed and led many unsaved co workers to Christ. The lord Eventually moved him into full time ministry where now he resides as the Lead Pastor and Visionary of
New Life Church.
About Pastor Tanika
A proud graduate of Hampton University in Hampton, VA, Tanika earned her Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and Communications with an emphasis in Media Management before beginning her professional career in Corporate America. Tanika began her professional career as a District Manager for a Fortune 500 company. There she was very successful managing various sales teams, servicing over 300 hundred accounts, increasing sales growth, growing market share, while developing and mentoring new talent for over seven years. Tanika was known for executing with excellence with a winning attitude throughout the organization.
Tanika has always had a passion for education and helping people pursue their goals. When she was presented with an opportunity to work in Higher Education more than a decade years ago, she was absolutely thrilled to merge her passion of education and helping others together in her new career. Tanika went on to work in University Admissions before being promoted to help develop and grow the International Admissions Division at the previous University she worked for. Currently she oversees a number of territories throughout the midwest and internationally
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Apart from her professional career Pastor Tanika has served in ministry for over 20 years. Her roles as a leader has been diverse. From being a teen ministry leader to leading leadership camps.
Pastor Tanika has a certification in missions and evangelism at the Malachi school of divinity, as well as training as an intercessor under Bill Winston Ministries. She has preached nationally and international. And has been a missionary for the past decade. She is excited to co pastor along side her husband Pastor Gary Gray.
