1994
New Life Presbyterian Church began when the Rev. Donald Mountain was formally called, with his wife Merril by his side, by New Hope Presbyterian Church in Eustis to start a church plant in Clermont. With no financial support and no contacts, the Mountains began building relationships through bible studies in their home which eventually grew into Sunday evening services at the Clermont Garden Club with 16 people in attendance. On Nov. 6th the group was named the New Life Presbyterian Church of Clermont (although not yet formally constituted as a church in the PCA).
1995
By March, the group had outgrown the Garden Club and moved to a larger rental space in Clermont where they were able to offer worship services, fellowship meals and children’s ministries. During this time, the church saw an increase in both spiritual and numerical growth. New Life officially opened its doors to the public on April 9, with 35 people present. By grace and faith, New Life continued to press on.
1997
In June, Don and Claire-lise Cobb were dispatched from New Life to Turkey as missionaries under PCA Mission to the World.
1998
New Life moved into a new larger facility on U.S. Hwy. 27 in Minneola where they were able to add administrative space and additional ministries such as First Sunday Suppers, Vacation Bible School, and morning Bible studies. While located in the storefront, many areas of ministry began to flourish.
2000
On Dec. 10, a commission from the Central Florida Presbytery formerly organized New Life as a congregation of the PCA and installed the Rev. Donald Mountan as the elected senior pastor and 4 elected ruling elders. During this time, New Life again expanded with an addition of 2,000 sq. ft. added on to the facility.
2001
In October, the Rev. Donald Mountan resigned to take a position with Equipping Pastors International.
2002
The Rev. Frank Cavalli was called by the congregation to be its second pastor. New Life moved again and continued to expand while planning for a permanent church facility by purchasing land on Apshawa Road in Minneola for future development. Again, in God’s providence, He paved the way for both spiritual and numerical growth.
2005
In January, the Rev. Cavalli announced his intention to step down from his position as senior pastor to pursue further studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. The congregation approved his resignation and sent him off with its blessing.
2007
The Rev. Robby Grames was called from Alabama to serve as pastor of New Life and the congregation began the building project on Apshawa Road.
2009
The congregation moved into its new home on Easter Sunday where God continued to bless His work and Word. Finally in its permanent home, the congregation of New Life desired to hold forth the Word of Life and be a city on a hill.
2013
The Rev. Grames announced his intention to step down from his position in August to answer a call to shepherd a congregation in Iowa. The congregation approved his resignation and sent him off with its blessing. The Rev. Grames and family celebrated nearly seven years of service at New Life with a final service and fellowship lunch on Oct. 6.
2014
The Rev. John Bopp was called from Indiana to serve as the new Pastor. Pastor John and his wife, Sherry, continue to faithfully serve the New Life Congregation.
Present Day…
Through the years, we can look back and see The Hand of Our Sweet LORD moving among us in His Own Providential way… Praise His Name…!
We are very joyfully expectant for the future of New Life PCA… because we can see The LORD’s Faithfulness and we know He has a plan for us to fulfill…
As we Thank and Praise God for His Great Goodness and Loving Care… we continue to pray for our Pastor as he Shepherds us; and for each other continuously that God may do a great work through New Life PCA here in South Lake County as we dedicate ourselves to Him and to His Service… for His Kingdom and for His Glory…! Amen…!