Who We Are

A diverse group of Black people stand and sit in a circle in an elegant room, engaged in a conversation during a community event.

Who We Are

Rooted in Christ, Transformed For the World

New Life Fellowship is a multiracial church with two locations in the New York City area, committed to the deep transformation of lives through Jesus—for the sake of the world.  Our shared life is shaped by five core values: contemplative rhythms, justice and reconciliation, interior examination, sexual wholeness, and missional presence.  

We are rooted in a theologically grounded mission shaped by Scripture and the Nicene Creed. We affirm the authority of the Bible, the inherent dignity of all people, salvation through Jesus Christ, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and the unity and equality of all believers across every dividing line.  

These convictions guide our mission to nurture spiritual formation, pursue reconciliation, and cultivate discipleship—both in New York City and beyond.  

Our BeliefsOur StoryOur Team

We are a multiracial community deeply transforming lives through Jesus for the sake of the world.

Our Mission

Our Values

Our values shape the way we seek to follow Christ together at New Life Fellowship. They undergird our spiritual formation practices and inform our mission to love and serve our world.

We live in communion with God and cultivate a life that is slow, vibrant, and transformative through prayer, scripture, sabbath keeping, silence, and solitude. We believe these rhythms help nurture a deeper awareness of God’s presence.

We reimagine community through the reconciling power of the gospel. We love God and our neighbor, especially the neighbor who is different from us. Rooted in the vision of Ephesians 2, we explore steps towards reconciliation and what it means to embody the new humanity in Christ. We learn spiritual and practical tools to engage in the ongoing work of justice, not defined by the cultural moment, but deeply shaped by the heart of God.

We allow Jesus to transform every aspect of our lives, especially our inner lives. We develop greater self-awareness by exploring our inner world and the formative influences of our family of origin. We learn how past experiences shape our present identity and relationships. Through the practice of differentiation, we grow into spiritually and emotionally mature adults with the capacity to love deeply and live authentically.

We recognize that our sexuality is connected, not separated from our spiritual lives. We pursue a biblical and integrated understanding of sexuality that honors both our spiritual and embodied selves. We reflect on the shaping influence of our family and experiences while thoughtfully engaging in theological and cultural conversations around human sexuality. We become a loving, wise, and faithful presence in a complex and often polarized world.

We are on mission to bring healing to the world in the name of Jesus. We live with intentionality as a witness to God's kingdom in the world. We discover how our presence, posture, and daily rhythms reflect the mission of Jesus. We integrate being and doing through healthy missional practices—becoming a source of healing, hope, and restoration in our everyday life and relationships.

1987–1996

1987–1996

The Early Years & Foundational Challenges

New Life Fellowship began in 1987 in a small wooden church on National Street in Corona, Queens. A committed team of 8–10 people came together with a vision for a church centered on Jesus, racial reconciliation, community life, and serving the poor and marginalized. 

The church grew quickly—adding over 100 people each year and expanding into a bilingual congregation. But beneath the surface, cracks began to show. In 1994, 200 members left to form a Spanish-speaking church nearby, plunging New Life into what we now call our “dark night of the soul.” This painful season revealed a foundational truth: 

You cannot be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. 

This realization became the catalyst for deep change—both in our leaders and our community.  

1996–2008

1996–2008

Emotionally Healthy Discipleship

In the wake of brokenness, we began to reimagine discipleship. Our founding pastors, Pete and Geri Scazzero, led the church to integrate emotional health into every level of spiritual formation. We focused on healthy relationships, marriages, and personal transformation—not just spiritual activity. 

A four-month sabbatical in 2004 introduced contemplative practices that deeply shaped our culture. We slowed down. We practiced Sabbath, Daily Offices, and created Rules of Life to anchor ourselves in the presence of God. 

This season taught us that everything—work, rest, leadership, and relationships—is holy. We began to grow slowly and intentionally, resisting the temptation to become a crowd, and choosing instead to become a deeply formed community.  

A man in a suit and glasses stands at a lectern speaking, with a screen behind him that reads 'BAPTISMS' in a dimly lit hall.

2008–Present

Leadership Transition & Growth

Between 2008 and 2013, New Life experienced its fastest growth, expanded to three services, and began sharing Emotionally Healthy Discipleship (EHD) globally. In 2013, a four-year leadership transition culminated in Rich Villodas becoming Lead Pastor, with Pete and Geri continuing to support and lead globally through EHD. Under Rich’s leadership, New Life has emphasized racial justice, interior transformation, and holistic discipleship through initiatives like the School of Formation (established in 2021) and the Deeply Formed Life Conference. The launch of New Life East, our second congregation in Hempstead, Long Island—at the height of the pandemic in 2020— and ongoing community work through New Life CDC reflect a continued commitment to forming lives deeply rooted in Jesus—for the sake of the world.