New Life Community Church has found a new home at 6443 Estelle Avenue in Riverbank and members of the community are invited to attend the Dedication and Worship Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 15.

As stated on the invitation, “on the day of dedication we expect the Lord to fill this house with His glory just as He did the tabernacle of Israel. The words which God spoke to Israel are still binding today: “Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” We build a church for God, but by dedication we give it to God. Then God’s people will meet with Him in His own house of worship, which is holy not only on Sabbath morning, but every hour of the day and every day of the week.”

Part of the worldwide organization known as the Church of the Nazarene, Pastors Paul and Trudy Jewell were ordained on the same day and have co-pastored ever since.

They were both involved in a Nazarene Church in Modesto and were asked to temporarily fill in as Pastors at the previous location on Fourth Street and Stanislaus Street in Riverbank known as the New Life Church.

“We had no idea that we would both be called in to full time ministry at that time,” said Trudy. “It just kind of happened.”

The former church could seat approximately 60 to 80 people and the new location can seat over 250 people.

“We always wanted to move because our space became too small,” added Trudy. “It has been a long journey to get here.”

The current location on Estelle Avenue was an Episcopal church and when they gave the Jewell’s the keys they held a ceremony.

“It was very sweet,” stated Trudy. “That was a really important day.”

The former church at the new location has merged with St. Paul in Modesto and continued the ceremony after giving the Jewell’s the keys.

The Pastors decided to add “community” to their name because they see themselves as a very friendly, loving congregation where everyone is welcome.

“We feel like we are moving from a little neighborhood into this location which is more of a community location that is more visible and we added ‘community’ to our name because we specifically wanted to be a place where the community could gather,” expressed Trudy.

Sunday’s dedication and celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. where there will praise and worship comparable to a regular Sunday service at the New Life Community Church.

“This is more ceremonious and more spiritual than a grand opening because we are dedicating the building to the Lord and we have our superintendent from Fresno coming and he will be a speaker,” said Trudy. “There are just some really special people that helped us to get into this building that will be here that day.

“So we are really excited and looking forward to that.”

After the ceremony there will be a lunch provided to all the guests.

The church offers different programs like Bible studies, a kids club, youth group, Recovery in Christ ministry, senior fellowship and much more. In January, they plan to have a Mothers of Preschoolers ministry.

“One woman said she felt comfortable here in high heels or slippers,” said Trudy. “There is a place for everybody. We are here to help people and guide them through their next step in life or their next day in life. We will pray with them. We are here to represent Christ to our community.”