How NHBC Started

NHBC had its beginning with 50 people, meeting at a small community building on Wednesday nights for Bible study and prayer, who felt led by God to start a church. So, on January 25, 1989, it was decided to start having Sunday morning worship services. A name was chosen, New Hope Baptist Mission and Brother Norman Fansler was called to be the first pastor. Jeff Johnson would lead the music, and Joe Ramey would be the Educational Director.

The first Sunday services were held on January 29, 1989, with 40 present, not counting children. The service was held at the Bayridge Community building. At the first meeting, it was determined a larger building must be secured, immediately, as the building was already packed beyond capacity.

On February 5, 1989, NHBC met in the League City Elementary School, with Sunday classes for every age. Classes were set up and taken down every Sunday in the hallways, library, stage, etc. Services were held in the school for two-and-a-half years.

By September 1989, the mission membership had grown to 85, representing 36 families, 16 had been baptized with an additional three waiting for baptism. On September 17th, Sunday School enrollment was 113 with 81 in attendance that day.

On September 16, 1990, after Brother Norman Fansler resigned, the Rev. Charley Day was called to serve as Interim Pastor. The mission called Brother Charley Day as Pastor on April 12, 1991.

On July 28, 1991, the mission moved into a building on Faith Temple's property. For the first time, the mission had real classrooms. Then, on December 8, 1991, the New Hope Baptist Mission was constituted into a church. It was then named New Hope Baptist Church of League City.

About four acres of property was then purchased on Highway 646, our current location. The slab for the present auditorium was poured on March 27, 1993. The Volunteer Christian Builders group then began construction on the 29th of March. The first services were held in the new building on July 4, 1993.

After Brother Charley Day retired, Brother Paul Comer was called as an Interim Pastor. The church then called Brother Jeff Jones as pastor of New Hope on October 20, 1995, he served faithfully for 7 years.

Brother Dick Sumner received a call on Sunday, October 5, 2003, and retired on March 29, 2020. He is the oldest son of the late Evangelist Robert Sumner. A graduate of Mesquite High School and Tennessee Temple University, Brother Sumner has pastored in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Texas. His wife Donna is a retired 2nd-grade teacher in the Dickinson ISD.

Dr. R. L. Calhoun was called as Interim Pastor on June 7, 2020, and he served until May 1, 2022. On April 7th, 2022 New Hope Baptist Church called Ben Hollan to serve as pastor.

While we celebrate our past, remembering all the ways that God has been faithful to NHBC, we are focused on the future that God has in store for NHBC and how He is going to use NHBC to reach the surrounding community and the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.