New Renaissance Fellowship Church: ”A New Witness”
Chapter two of the Acts of the Apostles paints a portrait of a fledgling community rooted in the newly minted tenets of Christianity. They would be a people committed in spirit and practice not only to their God, but to each other. The New Renaissance Fellowship Church, fondly referred to as the Fellowship, is such a community. The Fellowship has sprung from humble beginnings. First, in answer to God’s call to go forth and plant in the vineyard of humanity; and second, the coming together of a people of common mind and spirit for the purposes of collectively sharing and spreading the good news of the gospel. It was the Spring of 2006 when our current Pastor, the Reverend Everett L. Kilgo, began prayerfully considering planting a new church in the greater South Westchester community. Recognizing the need to identify those who could partake in bringing this vision to fruition, Pastor Kilgo began to reach out to those who could embrace a work that would transcend the routine discourse and practices of many churches, in favor of a fresh and innovative approach to ministry.
As the summer of 2006 appeared on the horizon, God moved upon the hearts of Jay and Monica Pouncy to open their home to a small group of faithful believers; and the Fellowship was born. Through their generosity of spirit, ten of us met in their living room each Wednesday for Bible Study, to envision the ministry to come, and for fellowship. The time we spent together was both illuminating and empowering. It was clear that God was about to do a new thing! We were simply called to be open to the leading of God’s Spirit and to remain faithful thereafter.
In our midst was a diverse gathering of folk looking forward to the release of God’s blessing on the Fellowship. Interestingly, God used the faithful to open the door to the essential components our ministry would require. Sister Carrie Jones, an adherent and dear friend of the ministry, helped identify several options for a worship space; resulting in our meeting and subsequent agreement with our host pastor, the Reverend Dr. Paul Acquavella, Senior Pastor of the North Yonkers Community Church to share in this place. Others were instrumental in the formative and administrative functions of our newly emerging church. Still others were gracious in inviting and or bringing others with them to share in worship.
The Fellowship continued sharing in weekly Bible Study sessions throughout the summer; adding two monthly services in July and August. Our Inaugural Service was held on Sunday, September 10, 2007, here at the church. We remember the extreme heat we endured throughout the service. Yet, this discomfort paled in the face of the joy and excitement we shared. The warmth of God’s spirit within extinguished the effects of the room’s heat without. We were a family! This was a day to celebrate the new thing God was doing in the midst of us!
Our ministry would step off in grand fashion. As the weeks passed, new ministry would be birthed. The Fellowship is indeed thankful for Sister Leanna Gilliam and Sister Dwanita Crosby, who formed our Liturgical Dance Ministry known as the Daughters of New Renaissance. We continue to encourage them along with our dancers who are committed to communicating the gospel message through movement. Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention one of our founders and dear friends of the ministry, Elder Jaison Smallwood; who served as a very valuable First Assistant Minister here at New Renaissance. We wish him the best in his current ministry.
Today, we pay tribute to all those who have made this ministry what it is, our founders, leadership, adherents, members and friends. We endeavor to be the church of the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, “meeting, devoting ourselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship; to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Our devotion extends past the doors of this sanctuary. We will continue to “break bread and eat together in our homes with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” For in our faithfulness, we believe that the Lord will continue to add to the number those who are to be saved.
Finally, the scripture says it best: “Behold, God is about to do a new thing! Do you not perceive it?. We say, yes, Lord yes, we perceive and by action of our faith we believe. For, it does not yet appear what the Fellowship shall be.
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