TYLER, TEXAS
ROSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AND A CENTER OF MISSIONAL MINISTRY EXCELLENCE
by James E. COSSEY T
YLER, TEXAS, is one city that continues to boom even in an economic downturn. It is called “The Rose Capital of the World” because of its massive rose-growing business, and the Tyler suburb of Noonday grows the world-famous Texas Sweet onion. Home to more than 110,000 people, the city is the busi- ness hub for the Tyler-Jacksonville statistical area, which has a population of more than a quarter million.
Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, and is named for President John Tyler in recognition of his support for the admis- sion of Texas as America’s 28th state. Tyler is home to the Uni- versity of Texas Health Center, a teaching hospital with more than 3,500 employees, and three other major hospitals. Trinity Mother Francis Health System (a Catholic hospital) also employs more than 3,500 people. Three state colleges and universities serve students in Tyler.
The greater Tyler area is headquarters for various interna- tional Christian ministries. Among these are David Wilkerson’s World Challenge, R. W. Schambach Ministries, and Ron Luce’s Teen Mania, where hundreds of young people are trained for Christian missionary service. Youth for Christ operates a massive ranch property, training young men and women for ministry just a few miles out of Tyler.
The Church of God has grown along with the city of Tyler, becoming one of the most influential denominations in a city with a predominance of independent and Southern Baptists. In greater Tyler and its surrounding areas, more than 5,000 people are Church of God members.
Daniel Boling, Texas state administrative bishop, says, “God has blessed the Tyler area in a significant way over the last sev- eral years. This story should be a great encouragement to the entire denomination during this time of economic crisis.”
NEW LIFE WORSHIP CENTER CHURCH OF GOD
New Life Worship Center began in a 2002 meeting of 18 people with Pastor Rudy Bond. The group had compiled a list of over 150 people looking for a Charismatic/Pentecostal church
10 EVANGEL • JULY 2010
A phenomenal explosion of growth took place almost imme- diately, necessitating a move to rented space in the Trane Build- ing (Trane is one of the largest commercial employers in Tyler), and property was purchased on busy U.S. Highway 69 South, in one of the fastest-growing areas of Tyler. In 2005, a beautiful contemporary worship facility was erected, which was joined to an 11,000-square-foot addition in 2009.
Because of the worship style of the New Life congregation, it might easily be classified as a revival center. The pastor and con- gregation strongly believe in and foster a well-organized worship
that would reach out to the community in an effort to fulfill the Great Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Bond and his wife, whom he affectionately calls “C. J.,” had left a successful 15-year pastorate and a thriving family business in Illinois—following an extensive season of fasting and prayer— with a definite leading from the Lord to “go to Tyler, Texas.” On November 3, 2002, New Life Worship Center officially began with its first services conducted at the Sheraton Hotel.
New Life Worship Center
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32