About New Light Christian Center Church
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New Light Christian Center Church (NLCCC) was founded by Bishop. I. V. and Lady Bridget Hilliard in 1984 with approximately 23 members. Membership currently numbers over 28,000 and is increasing at a rate of 400 - 500 monthly. Four years before establishing NLCCC, Bishop Hilliard had been pastoring a denominational church called New Light Missionary Baptist Church on Jensen Drive in Houston, Texas.
While pastoring the denominational church, Bishop Hilliard experienced the supernatural move of God in his life and was filled with the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by speaking in other tongues. The truth of speaking in tongues had not been taught in his denominational church. He accepted a holy mandate from God to teach the truth of God's Word uncompromisingly, as he attempted to convert the church on several occasions. After experiencing persecution, loss of membership, and setbacks, Bishop Hilliard would go back to his traditional method of teaching.
On the first Sunday in September 1984, Bishop Hilliard made a bold declaration that his congregation of 300 members would no longer be New Light Missionary Baptist Church. The new church would be called New Light Church World Outreach and Worship Centers. He maintained that God had called him to influence two areas in the city of Houston (North and South). Following the bold declaration, the next Sunday, the 300-member congregation dropped to 23. Determined not to be moved by what he saw, Bishop Hilliard continued to lead that congregation in the ways of God. He taught God's Word boldly and unashamedly. The church began to grow as a result of the teaching.
Continuing to follow God's mandate for his life, Bishop Hilliard pursued the vision of planting a church in North and South Houston. With a strong witness from God, Bishop Hilliard led his congregation to a warehouse office building in December 1985, in North Houston. Building people of purpose, power, and praise, the vision of "One Church, Two Locations", was kept ever before the people. In the Fall of 1987, a new Bible study was the seed for the beginning of the South Location. The South Location was established as Light Christian Center in September 1990. The vision was manifested when the names of both locations were combined into "New Light Christian Center Church."
Being a man of vision and always sensitive to the move of God's Spirit, Bishop Hilliard declared this ministry would build "Twin Buildings" in the city. The Twin Building Project began with the completion of the two Family Life Centers; The South Location in July 1995 and the North Location in October 1995. The SafePlaza Facility - North Location was completed in October of 1997 and the South Location was completed in March 1998. The Superstructure, a 5,000-seat auditorium, was completed in 2003 at the North location. This multi-million dollar project was dedicated without a mortgage. The Superstructure at the South location is still in the planning phase. In September 1996 the ministry expanded its outreach with a location in Beaumont, Texas. In addition, a location in Austin, Texas, was begun in September 2001.
In September 2005 Pastor Hilliard had a strong intrusive thought from God to pursue the purchase of the former Lakewood Northeast facility. After a time of negotiation New Light purchased the 215,000 square feet 63 acre facility in Northeast Houston with a $2 Million down payment. This purchase expanded the ministry to now include a Hilliard Vocational Bible Institute (HVBI) which is the first of its kind. In 2009, the ministry made Houston N.E.W.S. (North, East, West, South) by establishing New Light Church – West Houston.
The ministry employs over 240 full-time employees, 150 plus part-time employees, and over 3000 volunteer workers. These volunteers, along with the paid staff, assist Bishop Hilliard in providing services to the fast growing congregation.
