The Power of Prayer
ORIGIN – Northeast Community Church began with an act of obedience by Pastor Gerald McPhail, the first Pastor. Initially, a bible study was held in his home. Eventually, the first public worship service was held in March of 1994.
Revival – As attendance increased to overflow, God provided a new church home at 1290 Harbins Road. The first public worship service in this new location, held in March of 1999, had seventy-seven people in attendance. Believing that 1290 Harbins was only a temporary location, Northeast Community Church purchased 6 acres of land in 2000 to build its own sanctuary. God had another plan; He provided above and beyond what Northeast could ask or think.
TRANSITION – In 2011, Pastor McPhail reached out to Pastor Tyrone Barnette, Peace Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia, for advice and recommendations. On Thanksgiving Eve, the leadership team voted unanimously to call Dr. Kenneth Ellis as the second pastor of Northeast Community Church. On December 18, 2011, Pastor McPhail passed the staff (literally) to Dr. Ellis. Dr. Ellis preached his first sermon as pastor on January 1, 2012. In 2017, Dr. Kenneth Ellis was called to a different ministry, so the search began to identify the next pastor for Northeast community church.
SHIFT – After an exhaustive search begun in the fall of 2017, with much fasting and prayer, the third pastor was identified for Northeast Community Church. Pastor Kennard M. Weever preached his first sermon as pastor on Sunday May 6, 2018. He is a spirit-filled man of God and is definitely the right person, in the right place for such a time of this.
The second half of 2018 and the first half of 2019 were spent reviewing and evaluating the ministry’s focus, leadership development training and strategic planning. God opened a door for us, in a shared space partnership with White Oak Baptist Church, in Lilburn, Georgia; and we began the process to rebrand the image and focus of the church. Through the vision of Pastor Weever, in June 2018, we embarked on the EVERTHING CHANGES IN 120 DAYS campaign. The ministry location changed from Lawrenceville to Lilburn, service time changed from 10:00 A.M. to 8:30 A.M., and on Sunday September 15, 2019, a Grand Opening Celebration was held under the official new name One Life Church with the mission to REFRESH PEOPLE – PURPOSE – PROMISE & POTENTIAL by REACHING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE – HOW THEY ARE NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE.
The second half of 2018 and the first half of 2019 were spent reviewing and evaluating the ministry’s focus, leadership development training and strategic planning. God opened a door for us, in a shared space partnership with White Oak Baptist Church, in Lilburn, Georgia; and we began the process to rebrand the image and focus of the church. Through the vision of Pastor Weever, in June 2018, we embarked on the EVERTHING CHANGES IN 120 DAYS campaign. The ministry location changed from Lawrenceville to Lilburn, service time changed from 10:00 A.M. to 8:30 A.M., and on Sunday September 15, 2019, a Grand Opening Celebration was held under the official new name One Life Church with the mission to REFRESH PEOPLE – PURPOSE – PROMISE & POTENTIAL by REACHING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE – HOW THEY ARE NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE.
One Life Church is a movement of churches working together to change the nation through a network of church leaders, national gatherings, training events and resources. Giving God all the glory he deserves.
Under Pastor Weever’s leadership, a sponsorship lunch program and book mobile partnership was instituted at two local elementary schools, Bible Study small groups expanded from two locations to five locations, and Breakfast Cafe@1352 was in full swing. It appears that God had other plans as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a resounding stop in the first quarter of 2020 and continued late into 2020. One Life Church had to adapt a new way of being the church. We very quickly had to manage being completely virtual while adapting to a new norm. But we kept the faith, we kept running the race, we continued to be light in a dark world. Little did we know that the One Life story was just beginning. Through the generosity of a local church, Greystone Church in Loganville, GA; we were able to immediately create a virtual presence. Amid the pandemic the church never missed Sunday Services, never skipped a beat.
In 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Lord again showed HIMSELF Strong & Mighty. God opened an opportunity for One Life Church to acquire an independent property in the city of Lawrenceville, one of the fastest growing areas of Gwinnett County. Again, we had to adjust and transition with the Lord’s leading. On Sunday May 1, 2021, the official day of Pastor Weever’s 3rd Anniversary, One Life Church held its 1st service in the new location at 787 Paden Drive – Lawrenceville, Georgia 30044 @ 9:00 AM under the vision B3 COURAGEOUS CONNECTIONS-BUILDING BACK BETTER. With the Lord help and the generosity of the membership, we were blessed to renovate and updated the facility so it will be an inviting place for the community to #DoLifeTogether. THIS IS THE LORD’S DOING & IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR SIGHT. The 2023 year was spent exploring under the theme: LIVING OUT LOUD.
In 2024, the 30th year since the pioneering of what is now One Life Church, an ambitious TRANSFORMATION FORWARD vision plan was launched. This vision is to transform the landscape of the City of Lawrenceville and County of Gwinnett through a transformational and innovative way to help people DO LIFE TOGETHER. The vision includes raising in excess of five million dollars ($5,000,000) to fully acquire real estate, and update facilities to serve the needs of children, senior adults, college students and other community need. On May 23, 2024, One Life Church official closed the deal and became the sole owner of the campus located at 787 Paden Drive – Lawrenceville, GA 30044.
It has not yet appeared what we shall be, BUT THE LORD IS NOT THROUGH WITH US YET. We are proud to be ONE LIFE CHURCH. There is an OPEN INVITATION FOR ANY AND EVERYONE TO COME AND DO LIFE WITH US. WE ARE TRANSFORMING FORWARD. #ILoveMyOneLife #DoingLifeTogether #LetsDoLifeTogether
