Prior to the summer of 1996, Cool Springs Baptist Church, had been praying about starting a mission. John and Dee Orum, Tracy and Chastity Gautier, and Craig and Patti Dodson felt led by God to help with this mission effort. After knocking on many doors throughout the summer and beginning several Bible studies, in the late summer a fellowship meeting was held at the home of Craig and Patti Dodson. Approximately forty people met from about five different Bible study groups.

Soon after the name New Life Community Church was chosen and regular meetings began in the office building of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association, which at that time was led by Roy Smith Director of Missions. After encountering numerous issues securing the legal name “New Life Community Church,” the church voted to change their name to “New Life Praise Church (SBC)” and registered it with the Secretary of State of North Carolina.

On November 20, 1996, at the first Sunday service there were approximately 120 people in attendance. Glenn and Diane Lee trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior that first Sunday with three other rededications. A new meeting place was secured in the civic center on Nash Street in Sanford just in time for Easter in 1997. There were approximately 90 people worshiping the Lord that first Easter service on Nash street. The church was constituted with 56 chartered members in October 1997.

In late 1998, a Nazarene Church located at 101 North Franklin Drive, became available and was purchased and the new home of New Life Praise Church began the first Sunday of 1999. Membership grew to 220 people in a church with a seating capacity of only 96; as extra chairs were added for each service to accommodate those desiring to worship with us.

In the Fall of 2002 the St. Stephen Catholic Church sent an advertisement to all Sanford churches offering to sell their property. After receiving a donation of $300,000 and a value of $450,000 on the Franklin Drive property, a offer was made and accepted by the Catholic Church for $750,000 for their sanctuary and the education building/fellowship hall. The first service was held on August 18, 2003 with 320+ in attendance.

Pastor Dodson retired in December 2005 and the church fell on hard times. God led Pastor Joshua Dickinson to be our next pastor and he was a true teacher of the Word. He put much emphasis on world missions and led several mission trips while he was pastor.

In 2009 NLPC became the home for a new church “New Life Praise Hispanic Church.” This was a local mission effort to reach the dear people in our community. In October 2011 Pastor Dickinson accepted a position with the International Mission Board as missionary to Senegal, Africa. His last Sunday to preach at NLPC was December 25, 2011.

On August 26, 2013 the church called Jeffrey C. Chappell as full-time pastor. He moved his wife, Lisa, and three children to Sanford from the Raleigh area. He was well received and preached God’s Word with excitement. Under his leadership, the mortgage was paid off with a ceremony to burn the mortgage papers. It was a great time of rejoicing.

Pastor Jeff resigned on November 30, 2016 to take a church in Rocky Mount, NC and the church called Roger Thomas, the current Associate Pastor, to lead the church in July 2017. Pastor Roger unexpectedly resigned on July 26, 2019. The Church Family was once again thrown into loss and desperation of what was going to happen and would the Church be able to survive.

In Early 2020, through the help of our local Missions Strategist, Eric Davidson, Beulah Baptist Church in Bennett, North Carolina adopted our church to bless and encourage us to health by sharing their staff and resources as we once again focus on reaching our community for Christ. To cement this decision and renewed focus our church voted to modify our church name to New Life Bible Church on February 23, 2020. We are excited to see how God is going to bless and grow His fellowship at New Life as we seek Him with our whole heart.