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New Light Missionary Baptist Church was established on October 21, 1928 with Pastor Joseph Abernathy as overseer. The name New Light was submitted by Sister Bessie Coleman. Rev. Abernathy served as pastor for 10 years before retiring.

In August of 1938, Rev. M.M. Allen became New Light’s new pastor. Due to the purchase of the church’s property, 1059 North King Avenue became its new home; with its first service being held on December 17, 1967. Rev. M. M. Allen served as pastor for 30 years, until his death in the spring of 1968.

On September 22, 1968, Rev. Ananias T. Robinson was installed as pastor. Our new sanctuary, 2525 West 11th Street, was dedicated on Sunday, May 2, 1999. He prepared many individuals for Kingdom Work and faithfully led the congregation for 34 years, until his death on April 17, 2002.

On November 24, 2002, Rev. Calvin Allen, Jr. was installed as pastor. Under his leadership, we were challenged as a body to be “a church on the corner, but not in the corner.” The New Light Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center was dedicated on May 15, 2005. Pastor Allen served for nearly 13 years.

On June 11, 2017, Rev. Paul Love was installed as pastor. On March 4, 2018, Baptist Training Union was reestablished, and we are working diligently on developing and maintaining strong, impactful ministries. Pastor Love has encouraged and inspired New Light to maintain prayer, study, and love as the keys to unity; in being a “Blessed People Moving Forward, Contributing to the Cause of Christ.” 

Of the Scriptures - We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of

Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

Of the True God - We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections to

Whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but

without division of nature, essence or being.

Of the Fall of Man - We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis

1:27). “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but

through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God an fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a

nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.

Of the Way of Salvation - We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, Who by the

Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience and made

atonement for our sins by His death. Being risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in His person the tenderest sympathies with

divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-

sufficient Saviour.

Of Justification - We believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness, which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and

secures every other needed blessing.

Of the Freeness of Salvation - We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest

sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teach, Saviour and Lord.

Of Grace in Regeneration - We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers

of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness. It is a work of Gods’ free grace conditioned upon faith in Chris  and made manifest by the fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God.

Of Repentance & Faith - We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating

Spirit of God; whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus The Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King,

and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.

Of God’s Purpose of Grace - We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies and saves

sinners. It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man and in no way interferes with the salvation of any individual. It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility. It encourages the use of means in

the highest degree.

Of Sanctification - We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; that it is a

progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

Of the Perseverance of Saints - We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end: that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

Of the Harmony of the Law & the Gospel - We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to

fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the manes of

grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church.

Of a Gospel Church - We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only Scripture officers are bishops or pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

Of Baptism & The Lord’s Supper - We believe that the Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and the Son,

and the Holy Spirit; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church

relation; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ – preceded always by solemn self-examination.

Of the Christian Sabbath - We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.

Of Civil Government - We believe that civil government is of divine

appointment for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except

only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus The Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.

Of the Righteous & Wicked - We believe that there is a radical and

essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and are under condemnation. This distinction

between the righteous and the wicked holds in and after death, and will be made manifest at the judgment when final and everlasting awards are made to

all men.

Of Christian Education - We believe that Christianity is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of

wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is therefore a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. An adequate system of schools is necessary to a complete spiritual

program for Christ’s people. The cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the Churches.

Of Social Service - We believe that every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ regnant in his own life and in human society; to oppose in the Spirit of Christ every form of greed, selfishness and vice; to provide for the orphaned, the aged, the helpless, and the sick; to seek to bring

industry, government and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth and brotherly love; to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to

Christ and his truth. All means and methods used in social service for the amelioration of society and the establishment of righteousness among men must finally depend on the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus.

Of Stewardship - We believe that God is the source of all blessings,

temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. We have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a

binding stewardship in our possessions. We are therefore under obligation to serve Him with our time talents and material possessions; and should

recognize all these as entrusted to use to use for the glory of God and helping others. Christians should cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately

and liberally contribute of their means to advancing the redeemer’s cause on earth.

Of Evangelism & Missions - We believe that it is the duty of every Christian man and woman, and the duty of every Church of Christ to seek to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The new birth of man’s spirit by

God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life. It is also expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal

effort and by all other methods sanctioned by the gospel of Christ.

Of the Resurrection - We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead. His grave was emptied of its contents. He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection in many convincing manifestations. He now exists in His glorified body at God’s right hand. There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. The bodies of the righteous will

conform to the glorious spiritual body of Jesus.

Of the Return of the Lord - We believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth. “This same

Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” The time of His coming is not revealed. “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only (Matthew 24:36). It is the duty of all believes to live in readiness for His coming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ.

Of The World To Come - We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of  righteousness.

Having been led as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the Name of The Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, we do

now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We engage, and therefore, by the aid of The Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; too strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge,

holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity, and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to cheerfully contribute

regularly to the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take

offense, but always ready for reconciliation, mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit

of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

To be a dynamic spiritual organism empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our Church, community and throughout the world.

To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing his person, and responding in obedience to his leadership.

To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers.

To help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.

To be a church that ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and world in Jesus’ name.

To be a church whose purpose is to be Christlike in our daily living by emphasizing total commitment of life, personality and possessions to the Lordship of Christ.

Reverend Paul Love is one of six children.  He and his wife Marsha have been married for 30 years and have two children.  Rev. Love is a graduate of Indianapolis Public School #108 and Crispus Attucks High School.  Rev. Love received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Ball State University, Masters of Education from Indiana Wesleyan University, and Master of Divinity from Wesley Seminary.  Rev. Love is a physical education and health instructor within the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township and has taught within public education for 35 years.   In addition to teaching, Rev. Love has enjoyed coaching middle school cross country, basketball, and track  for several years. 

Rev. Love served in varying positions at New Baptist Church for 28 years.  He was ordained as a deacon in 1992, accepted his call to preach in 1993 and ordained as a minister in 1997.  Rev. Love became the 5th pastor of New Light Missionary Baptist Church on March 19, 2017.