Our History
In 1968, Mt. Lebanon Tabernacle Church was started in the basement of the White's home at 15464 Ohio St. under the leadership of Pastor Joseph and Sis. Mary White. Following a 1980 merger, the church moved to 14400 Puritan St. and adopted the name Mt. Lebanon Strathmoor Church. In 1989, Al Bufkin, Stanley Carter, and Henry Wells III met in the basement of Al and Regina Bufkin's home at 20523 Tireman St. to discuss the start of the Great Commission Baptist Church. The first service was held in January 1990 under the leadership of Pastor Al and Sister Regina Bufkin at the Urban Ministries Center on Southfield service drive in Detroit.
Pastor Daryl and Sis. Paula Ounanian accepted the call to succeed Pastor Joseph White at Mt. Lebanon Starthmoor Church in 2004. In 2008, Bufkin led the Great Commission through a name change to Great Commission Fellowship Church. Pastor Henry and Sis. Deborah Wells accepted the call to succeed Pastor Al Bufkin at the Great Commission Fellowship Church in 2011.
In the Summer of 2021, the leaders of Great Commission Fellowship Church and Mt. Lebanon Strathmoor Church began meeting to discuss a merger between the two churches. From the outset, despite the need for due diligence, it was apparent to all parties involved that God was at work in this potential merger. After many meetings, work groups, and prayers, the two Churches merged as New Beginnings Fellowship Church in the Spring of 2022. New Beginnings Fellowship held its first service under the leadership of Pastor Henry & Sis. Deborah Wells on Resurrection Sunday, April 24, 2022.
Purpose
New Beginnings Fellowship Church exists to make disciples who glorify God in their worship, behavior, outreach, fellowship and stewardship.
Vision
To create a Church community where people can see, experience, and be transformed by the presence of God.
(Acts 2:42-47 – The Believers Form a community)
Mission
Draw people into an encounter with God
Help people to experience the love and transforming power of God
Guide people to serve God, engage society with the Kingdom values, and to evangelize others.
(Exodus 3:1-10; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 28:19-20)
Meet Our Pastor, Dr. Henry Wells III &
First Lady Deborah Denise Wells
Pastor Wells and First Lady Wells have been partners in life and ministry for 37+ years. They are the grateful parents of Robert J. Wells and Elizabeth Wells, and grandparents to Kaiden L. Kolwaski-Wells. Deborah has been involved in music ministry at the local church since age 12, when she first began singing solos during Sunday morning worship. Sis Wells served as Choir Director of The Chapel Choir and The Singing Angels at Zion Chapel Church of Christ Holiness (USA) for many years. In addition to being a founding member of Great Commission Fellowship Church, Deborah also served as praise and worship leader, director of the adult and children’s choirs, and Minister of Music. Sis Wells currently leads the Genesis Women’s Ministry at New Beginnings Fellowship Church.
Rev Dr. Henry Wells, III, serves as the Executive Director of Westside Christian Academy and Senior Pastor of New Beginnings Fellowship Church. His educational development includes a B.A. in Urban Studies from William Tyndale College, an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, and post-graduate studies in Sociology at Wayne State University with concentrations in the Sociology of Religion and Family. He completed a Doctor of Ministry from Ecumenical Theological Seminary, focusing on the succession of ministry leaders targeting the Millennial generation. His professional experience spans 37+ years in non-profit, faith-based organizations and church-based ministry. For the last 13 years, Dr. Wells has served as an administrator in K-12 urban Christian education and as a Senior Pastor. Henry's partner in life and ministry has been his wife of 36 years, Deborah D. Wells. They are the grateful parents of two children, Robert J. Wells and Melanie E. Wells, and grandparents to Kaiden Lee Wells.
Pastor Well's life verse and mantra is Galatians 4:19
"Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I'm going through labor pains for you again, and they will
continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives."