Our History
New Beginnings Ministries was officially founded on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1998, when 75 people attended worship in the home of Rev. Glenn & Kathy Gray. From the very beginning, the move of the Holy Spirit was active in the ministry. September 24, 1998, marked the first Baptism, held at Regal Road United Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Frank Guinta. Starting with 38 members, by December 31, 1998, our total membership was 74 active members. On April 24, 1999, New Beginnings was received into the Halifax Baptist Association, wherein Pastor Gray served as Moderator for a two-year term. During this season, NBM made its home at Ross Road Elementary School.
In November 2003, NBM purchased land to construct our facility at 26 Cherry Brook Rd, Westphal NS. With the generous support of its members, convention, association, and well-wishers, funding was secured to build its multipurpose sanctuary in March 2005. NBM entered the doors of our “House of Worship” at 26 Cherry Brook Road on Sunday, October 8, 2006.
What makes the church exceptional in the Dartmouth area are its members who are well-known for their warm spirits, bright smiles, and caring hearts to serve the community. The internal spirit of NBM is amazing. Perhaps even more distinctive is the real-life experience of diversity and multiculturalism that exists in the church. People from all walks of life, young and old, rich and poor; male and female, Caucasian, African Nova Scotian, Acadian, Mi’kmaq, and many other immigrant groups, worship and minister together as one body in Christ.
Rev. Glenn Gray retired in 2012. Before Rev. Gray’s retirement, the Board of Directors of NBM began a search for a new Senior Pastor in 2011. Rev. Dr. Kirby Spivey III was called to be the Senior Pastor of NBM from July 1, 2012, to September 30, 2020. In July 2021, Dr. Raphael Iluyomade was called to serve as the Lead Pastor of NBM. Dr. Iluyomade accepted the call in July and officially began on September 1, 2021.