Our Story

Pastor Randy and his family came to Idaho in 1992 with a divine call for Canyon County. Over the next few years, God grew that call into a passion. In 1995, while Pastor Randy was reading his Bible the Lord began to clearly speak to him from the first six chapters of Joshua. The Lord began to tell him how their ministry would develop in the future. This was one of those times when you know that you are in the presence of The Almighty. The Lord laid out before him, in great detail, what was going to happen. Pastor Randy and his wife, Kimberlee were so excited and filled with anticipation, but their experience had taught them that God will make a way and they cannot push His timetable. At the time, Pastor Randy was on staff at a very large church and was very content with what the Father was doing in and with them. Being a person that prefers stability and security, it took the hand of God to remind Pastor Randy that He is our rock and fortress by leading him to leave his place of comfort.

The hand of God guided them to Crossroads Community Church. They were happy to serve there and became very close to Pastor Jim Halbert. In the fall of 2003, Pastor Jim came to Randy and asked if he would pray about being the pastor of a new church plant. He asked Pastor Jim to tell him more about what God was saying to him. Randy was almost overwhelmed as Pastor Jim spoke. The vision the Lord had lain on Pastor Jim’s heart hit dead on with the plan God gave Pastor Randy eight years before.

In Joshua chapter one, God said to Joshua, “be strong and courageous” four times. Why? - Because He guaranteed Joshua he would “be successful wherever he goes”. He would inherit the land God promised as long as he followed the law given to him via Moses. God clearly spoke to Pastor Randy that if he will follow and not “turn to the right or to the left” from the plan God gave him, the vision will be successful. New Heart Community Fellowship is standing, “strong and courageous” for we know that we shall inherit the land the Lord promised.

God told Pastor Randy that he and Kimberlee would not have to pursue this grand vision alone. Joshua had the assistance of the tribes that had already received, as an inheritance from God, the land east of the Jordon. Like Joshua, they would have aid from those who had already received a portion of their inheritance… Crossroads Community Church. They helped New Heart Community Fellowship attain a grant. This grant allowed Pastor Randy to put all his efforts, which are nothing without God, into this infant work. The pastors at Crossroads are a constant support to him and are invaluable to him as a pastor. The board of Crossroads also gave New Heart Community Fellowship a grant in 2005 to help in fulfilling the vision. This exemplifies that when God is in something, He provides the resources.

In January 2004, Pastor Randy, Pastor Halbert and the EMC District officers met with families that were interested in hearing about the church plant. Everyone was so excited and ready to move forward that it was decided to begin meeting for services February 14, 2004. Before having the first service, God moved in the hearts of Dr. Wendell and Donna Nelson to allow New Heart Community Fellowship to meet, for only the cost of utilities, in a commercial space that had just been remodeled. This was just the beginning of God’s provision. Multiple items were donated to completely furnish and equip an office. Even a used sound system was loaned to the church and within months, God provided a brand new system at no cost to the church. God did much more than provide for the natural needs of the church. He also began to touch the lives of individuals and families. New Heart Community Fellowship began with six families amounting to twenty-six people.

Family Fall Festival held every autumn is a wonderful success. Hundreds of people attend each year. For some previously un-churched families that now attend regularly had their first contact with the church at this festival. Most significantly we have witnessed several individuals receive Jesus Christ into their lives. It is such a blessing to see these individuals strengthened and mature in their spiritual walk. Their enthusiasm and desire to learn is contagious and is spreading among everyone, creating an environment of excitement and expectation.

We knew that what God has done in the those first years was just a glimpse of what He has destined for this ministry. We earnestly sought God’s direction on how to prepare for what He had planned. Pursuing God’s vision that He has placed within us and with His prompting, we began leasing Birch Elementary School’s cafeteria February 13, 2005. The school was only four years old and surrounded by new subdivisions in an area where there were no other churches. Renting the school is a great blessing. It is large enough to allow for growth without being overwhelming. The school staff and administration are a wonderful example of what it means to serve the community and have made every accommodation to help us. They provide chairs, tables, a podium, and a large projection screen at no additional cost…Glory to God.

 After four years at the elementary school it was time to move. We had been looking at a more permanent space to lease or purchase for three years. Every time we thought we found a building something would happen that prevented us from being able to move forward. Finally in December of 2008 a building less than a mile from the elementary school became available. When we first looked into it, it seemed impossible. But God is the God of the impossible. We found out that the owner of the building was a believer and that he really liked the idea of having a church in his building. With the details agreed upon our next step was to get approval from the city to be able to use the building for a church. We found out that the area was not zoned properly for church. Praise God that he is in control and greater that governments and zoning regulations. Our meetings with the city were blessed and we had favor with every department we worked with. In fact at our final meeting one of the members of the city council stated that the zoning wouldn’t matter because we would be so blessed that we would out grow the facility quickly and would have to move so the zoning would revert back to the original anyway.

With all that God has done the greatest miracle is the lives affected by the redeeming grace that comes through Jesus Christ alone. As we look back we can see God’s blessings on this work, yet the greatest times are ahead of us as God continues to fulfill His promises and advance His kingdom in our city.