History of New Creation Church

In March of 2006 Flint Community Church of God entered into a contract to purchase New Community Church of God. Shortly thereafter, the majority of New Community Church’s staff left the congregation to minister at other congregations. This left one pastor who was trying to decide whether to go or stay as well. Eventually that pastor decided to leave as well. This opened the door for a miraculous move of God.

New Community Church had been in existence for Sixteen years but the time had come to go in a different direction. Along with the entire pastoral staff gone, members leaving in droves, the congregation was financially broke. Unable to keep up the mortgage payments, laboring in debt and no one to lead, the Elder Board of New Community Church heard the clear voice of God to join with Flint Community Church of God.

New Community Church a predominately White congregation held a series of “Town Hall Type” meetings and invited Pastor Banks of Flint Community Church of God to be a part. This allowed the members of New Community Church to meet Pastor Banks and ask questions. The meetings were emotionally charged. There was outrage to say the least that the leaders of New Community had allowed the congregation to get in this predicament without informing them. Furthermore, they were upset at being asked to join with a group of people they knew nothing about. Black people and White people didn’t worship together in this town.

In the meantime, Flint Community Church of God, a predominately African-American congregation established in 1930, was bursting at the seams. They needed space to house this growing ministry. Pastor Banks had assumed the pastorate there in October of 2004 and the Lord was displaying his favor in a marvelous way.  Flint Community Church of God had purchased land around their 1701 Harrison Street location, hired Ted Hu Architect Firm to draw up plans only to discover that it was not enough land to build the ministry facilities needed.

In February 2006, Pastor Banks attended a prayer meeting at the temporary offices of Living Word Church of God. Prior to the meeting he was discussing with Bill Bridgman, Pastor of Calvert Park Church of God in Burton, Michigan his concerns. Pastor Bridgman said he would be in prayer concerning this matter. As they were receiving prayer request, Pastor Jim Davey of New Community requested prayer for the problems facing his congregation. Pastor Davey stated they had to decide whether to lay off staff, merge with Valley School, or sell the property. Pastor Bill Bridgman pointed to Pastor Banks and said to Jim Davey, “Pastor Banks needs a building.”  Pastor Davey asked Pastor Banks, “You need a building?” I said yes and I’m not joking. Pastor Davey said, “I’m not laughing, I will have someone call you.” Two weeks later Elder Lucy Ham called to invite our leadership over to view the property. Immediately, Flint Community Church of God begins to pray for God’s uncommon favor to purchase the New Community Church Property.

Through a series of God ordained events, New Community Church dissolved and Flint Community Church of God took over the property located at 3472 Lennon Road in Flint Township. The former members of New Community Church were free to go wherever God led them. A few of them decided to stay with Flint Community Church of God. Those few along with others in the area, hearing about different races coming together to worship God, came together as one church on June 25, 2006. The congregation numbered over 500 members and five weeks later selected the name New Creation Church of God based upon II Corinthians 5:17.

The mission statement of New Creation Church of God is to “Intentionally model the life of Christ in every face we see.”