New Beginnings Christian Church is a
non-denominational, Apostolic, Full-Gospel Church, which was started in December
of 1997. It came about after 2 years of prayer and intercession by a small group
of people, hungry for a fresh move of God's Spirit in the St. Johnsbury area.
Over the two years of prayer, the Lord began to give a vision of a new work, one
unlike any other in the area.
This is a Church where all are welcome, and the
hurting and lost can come in and experience the healing power of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to the scripture is "...the same yesterday, today, and
forever".
About the Pastors
Pastor Richard D. Menard is a native of Newport, VT., and a
graduate of Sacred Heart High School. Pastor Rick has worked in the tool making
industry, the restaurant business, and in more recent years in sales for several
different companies in Northeastern Vermont and Northwestern New Hampshire. He
holds a 5th degree Black Belt in the Martial Art of Taekwondo, and along with
his wife Carmen, operated the St. Johnsbury Academy of Taekwondo, which started
in the St. Johnsbury area in 1982. Pastor Rick is currently pursuing his
Biblical studies through the Beacon University, and has received his M.A. in
Practical Theology. In the past, he has done Biblical studies at the Berean
College, as well as the International Miracle Institute of Pensacola, Florida,
under the instruction of international evangelists Dr. Christian and Robin
Harfouche. Maranatha Ministerial Fellowship International granted Rick the
license to minister in May, 1997 and ordained him in May, 2002.
Pastor Carmen Menard is a native of Troy. Vt., and a graduate
of Sacred Heart High School as well. She is a licensed cosmetologist in the
State of Vermont, and currently works as the manager of a local bank. Pastor
Carmen holds a 5th degree Black Belt in the Martial Art of Taekwondo, and
co-instructed with her husband Rick at the St. Johnsbury Academy of Taekwondo.
Carmen is pursuing her Biblical studies in Beacon University, and has received
her M.A. in Practical Theology. In the past, she has studied through the Berean
College, as well as the International Miracle Institute, as well as the
International College of Lifelong Studies. Carmen was licensed through M.M.F.I.
in April of 1998 and ordained in May, 2002.
Along with pastors, the church government also has elders,
deacons, and ministry leaders serving the body.
Elders: Jeff Eddy, Rob Perkins, Al Vieira
Deacons: Frank Christie, AJ Ferland
Ministry leaders: Children's Church/Nursery, Stephanie Ruggles;
Music Ministry, Pastor Rick Menard; Prison Ministry, Rev Steve Bennett, Rev Judy Kennedy
We
believe that we have fellowship by the love of Christ in the grace of God, not
according to proper doctrine. (Heb. 13:9) Here is the doctrine we are exercised
in believing.
God is one God,
manifested in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Bible is
the inspired, eternal, and infallible Word of God.
The new birth is necessary
for all. Salvation is by grace through faith.
Water
baptism is by immersion and is for believers only as an identification with
Christ's death, burial,
and resurrection into new life..
The Baptism in the Holy
Spirit is subsequent to salvation and is available to all who ask today. The
Lord Jesus Christ is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. This over-flowing of the
Holy Spirit, manifested most often by speaking in other tongues, makes all nine
gifts of the Holy Spirit available to believers today, to show the power of God,
and to give Him all the glory.
Sanctification is a
definite, yet progressive, work of the Spirit commencing at the new birth and
continuing until
the consummation of salvation.
Divine
healing is provide for by the work of Christ, is wrought by the power of God and
is for the physical, spiritual, and emotional wholeness of each person. Divine
healing is manifested in the casting out of demons, Mark 16:17, and happens in
our lives as we wholly give ourselves to Him and follow Him daily..
The
five-fold ministry gifts of the apostle, prophet, evangelistic, pastor, and
teacher are for the equipping of the saints in the Body of Christ
today.
The redeemed
will enjoy eternal life in heaven with Jesus their Savior while the lost will
spend eternity in hell
in the lake of fire separated from God's
presence.
Christ's
return for His Bride is imminent, and after tribulation, He will rule on earth
during the Millenium.
The Great
Commission is to be fulfilled by the Church going and preaching, and making
disciples of all nations.
The Lord's
Supper (Communion) is to be partaken of regularly, served in a spirit of love
toward His Body, and shows the Lord's death until He returns.
