Our History

With a few families, some hard work and a hope for the future, New Hope Wesleyan Church was formed. On July 14, 1994 Pastor Duane Brown and his wife, Patti were officially inducted by District Superintendent Ray Barnwell at Beulah Family Camp in Brown’s Flat, New Brunswick to minister as a Pioneer Pastor. Services were held at Jim and Heather Hockley’s home for several months until the Grand Opening Service, which was held on March 26, 1995 at the Coldbrook Community Center. After meeting in the Community Center for some time, the church moved to the Coldbrook Elementary School.

After four years at New Hope, Pastor Duane and Patti Brown felt the Lord calling them in another direction. In July of 1998 Pastor Scott Prime and his family (Shari, Seth & Samuel) arrived with full knowledge that God had placed the Valley on their hearts. A few months later the church moved from the school to the Wandlyn Inn in Coldbrook using the conference facility. In June of ’99 a group from Yarmouth Wesleyan Church presented “Butterfly Kisses.” The Lord moved and created changes in the lives of many. In the summer of 2000 the church moved again to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in New Minas. During this time the Lord blessed New Hope and attendance increased to about 65-70 from the earlier days of 20-30.

The Lord has performed many miracles for NHWC and the year 2003 was no exception. Property, New Hope had been praying for, was finally purchased immediately following the municipal rezoning in August of ’03. Several weeks later the heavy equipment began to shape the site and after a long hard winter of construction New Hope held its first regular meeting in July of ‘04. On October 3, 2004 a service of thanks was held for the many contractors and volunteers who made the dream reality. In the afternoon the building & land were dedicated to the Glory of God in a stirring service.

God continues to bless New Hope with steady growth and present attendance is around 200+. New Hope has a passion to reach those who are spiritually lost and offer discipleship to those wanting to grow. There is no denying the wonderful times of growth both spiritually and numerically. However, God is not finished with us yet. We need to remember our history, live in the present and be in anticipation of the future.