Bro. Luther Johnson pioneered a little storefront church (also on Schoolcraft) during the 1930′s. In July, 1936, Frances Reed repented, was baptized in Jesus Name (in the Rouge River) and was filled with the Holy Ghost. During the winter of 1936-37, the church began revival services. Sis. Frances Reed reminsced about those days. The little building was heated with a pot-bellied stove. “Wherever you sat,” she recalled, “the side closest to the stove was most likely to get warm, while the other side would freeze. The seats farthest out never got very warm and those closest to the stove got uncomfortably so.” Regardless of the discomforts, lively services were the norm. Somehow a fervent love for the Lord and the joy of sins forgiven gave them a zeal and zest in worship that banished all thoughts of discomfort.
The following summer they began a tent revival. “My, what a time we had!” Sis. Reed said. “The glory of the Lord fell on us like rain. How we rejoiced and worshiped and sang praises to God!” Her face glowed as she described those days. It was during that summer that all three of her children repented and were baptized in Jesus’ Name.
In the early 40′s the church moved to the present location and worshiped in what is now the youth/fellowship hall. After Bro. Johnson’s death in the early-50′s, his son-in-law, Bro. Glen Robinson assumed the pastorate. Later pastors included Bro. Allen Bouren and Bro. Weldon Worthley.
In 1959, Bro. Paul Leaman became the pastor and blessed the work of God in Detroit until his call to the mission field. As Bro. Leaman prepared to leave for Central America, God was dealing with Bro. Charles R. Grisham‘s heart about coming to Detroit. In the fall of 1975. Bro. & Sis. Grisham assumed the pastorate and have continued in faithul, anointed, godly ministry to the New Life Apostolic Church family and Detroit’s west side for 32 years. We celebrated their 30th pastoral anniversary in December 2005 and rejoiced in the Lord with Brothers and Sisters in Christ from around the nation.
In July of 2007, Bro. & Sis. Grisham retired from the active pastorate. He continues to serve as Bishop, but Bro. Ken Foreman now pastors the church and is leading it forward to victory. We rejoice in the way God has kept His hand on us through the years and feel confident that He has great things in store for this community and for New Life Apostolic Church. It’s a joy to be a part of God’s Kingdom!
Come walk with us down memory lane…
Note: Portions of this synopsis of New Life’s “history” came from the story of Frances Reed’s life – “Franya” – as told to Marjorie Kinnee. Photos courtesy Don & Carol Warfield.
We are a church rich in history. It is good to know we are still holding up the blood stained banner.