The late Pastor Willie Wood was the sole founder of New Hope.  The original sanctuary was a small store stationed in the middle of the Sylvania Heights community.  As the story goes, Pastor Wood heard The Lord instruct him to convert the store into a sanctuary.  Pastor Wood took down the shelves and made them in pews and New Hope Baptist Church was born.  Years later, the church name was changed to New Hope Christian Center by then Pastor James Gywn with no denominational reference.  It was his vision that the ministry be more than just a church/building, but rather a “Center.”  A place where the needs would be met for both spiritual and natural man.  Today, we maintain the name and the mission with an updated concept.  We believe God has chosen New Hope to become the EpiCenter of the Transformational Conversion of the Church to BRIDESHIP.