After years of prayer and preparation, New Creation Baptist Church launched in January 2024 in the former facilities of Woodfield Park Baptist Church.

Ed Stewart was the Adult Discipleship Pastor at Shandon Baptist Church when God stirred his heart to revitalize the church community at Woodfield Park Baptist Church.

“I’d never been there before,” stated Ed Stewart, pastor of New Creation Baptist Church. “But it was at a meeting in Woodfield Park Baptist’s fellowship hall where the seeds were planted to lead a church plant.” 

Building the Right Team

Originally built as off-campus housing for Fort Jackson, the Woodfield Park neighborhood contains a diverse racial and ethnic immigrant community. The majority of residents live below the poverty line. To plant a successful church, it was important that Stewart build the right team.

When he shared the vision for New Creation Baptist Church with John and Daisy Rodriguez, it was an easy ‘yes’ for them. “There was no hesitation, no wonder, no questioning,” Daisy remembered.

“I felt such a peace after my wife and I prayed about it,” John added. “It’s a peace that comes from God. I feel so honored to be part of what God is doing here.”

Maddie Dean is one of 13 core team members and has prior experience in international ministry. Dean wanted to be a part of New Creation to continue to spend time with people of different backgrounds and cultures. “We have more in common than we have apart.”

Dreaming for the Future

“My dreams for the Woodfield Park neighborhood are all wrapped up in 2 Corinthians 5:17, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; the new has come,’” emphasized Pastor Stewart. “Our vision is to be out in the neighborhood, make connections, meet needs, build relationships, and share the transforming power of Jesus.” 

“I’m very thankful for a very genuine community that rejoices together — that grieves together,” Dean shared. “I’m looking forward to see how this church will impact the neighborhood for generations.”

Paving the Future with Prayer

In a poverty-impacted community, New Creation Baptist Church seeks to become a refuge. “When you walk in this community, it appears to have a desperation,” stated Daisy Rodriguez, who joined the core team with her husband, John. “The prayer for this community is to give people a hope.”

“This church welcomes anybody from anywhere,” Daisy’s husband, John, added. “We have an open heart and open doors. We hope that God will move anyone who comes through the door, and as they leave, that God will have an impact on them with a new creation in their hearts.”

“Pray that the Lord’s favor will rest on us,” Stewart shared. “If we are going to have an effective ministry at New Creation Baptist Church, it’s going to happen when God’s people pray.”