In 2024, after his Sabbatical, Pastor Fred Fay felt like the Lord released him from pastoring Neighborhood church and was leading him into a new season. Pastor Fred then called the Superintendent of the Northwest Ministry Network, Don Ross and told him what the Lord was stirring in his heart. Fred began to pray about what that meant for the future of Neighborhood Church. Just a few weeks later, Don Ross was having lunch with Pastor Rodney Wardwell of Newhope Church. They began to talk about church planting and Rodney told Don that he felt the Lord was leading them to start a new campus of Newhope in University Place and that they were already developing the new planters, Julian and Maria Herrera. Don Ross then asked if he could have lunch with Pastor Fred and Pastor Rodney together to talk and pray about what it could look like to work together.

As we have been on this journey over the last 8 months with Pastor Fred and Neighborhood Church we have grown to love the people of this church. As we began to dream about planting in University Place we never would have imagined being able to launch this new campus in a building where we would not have to be portable (setting up and tearing down every week). We also did not anticipate having the opportunity to invite many people who love Jesus and who have been on mission to join us as we plant this new location. We believe this would give us a boost as we are already planning to plant in University Place.

We will be able to plant a brand new location in a beautiful existing church facility that is debt free. Additionally, the congregation of Neighborhood Church are being invited to join the team which will be a blessing both with volunteers and for a stronger launch giving base..

A multisite church is one church in multiple locations. The church has one Lead Pastor, one elder board, and handles all finances together. Every campus shares the same mission, vision and values. Each campus has a Lead Campus Pastor who is the lead communicator and the leader of all ministry and ministry teams at their specific location, while at the same time being a part of the bigger multisite team.

The new church will be called Newhope University Place.

The Lead Pastor of Newhope is Rodney Wardwell and the Lead Campus Pastor in University Place will be Julian Herrera.

Pastor Fred has expressed his desire to retire and to rest and we want to honor that. We want to celebrate the 15 years of faithfulness that they have given to Neighborhood Church and the way they have led this transition season. Pastor Fred and Pam are currently not moving from University Place and have said they would love to be a part of the new church plant. Fred and Julian have become great friends and we anticipate that is only going to grow.

The board of Neighborhood Church as is will dissolve and the Elder Board of Newhope will be the governing board and accountability for Newhope University Place.

The church’s facilities will belong to and be cared for by Newhope Church and will continue to be used for ministry.

The gatherings in University Place will be like the gatherings at all current Newhope locations. They will last about 60-70 minutes. No dress code. Hot coffee. High energy worship. Encouraging messages from The Bible. A safe and fun environment for kids in the nursery through 6th grade.

Newhope Church has a live preaching format. We utilize a teaching team of pastors that come together every month to pray, work together, and prepare for live communication of the same series across all of our campuses/locations.

The budgets will be the responsibility of the Campus Pastor to work with Newhope’s Executive Pastor and set for their campus each year. The finances are managed at Newhope’s Central Office.

Current membership of Neighborhood Church are invited to join the church plant and apply for membership. Those in good standing will be fast tracked to becoming members of Newhope.

No, both Neighborhood Church and Newhope Church are a part of the Assemblies of God and our network leadership is very much in favor of this merger happening.

All missionaries and organizations that Neighborhood Church supports will be retained and their giving will be honored at the same level they currently are. These partners will be added to Newhope’s Kingdom Builders giving.

While both Pastor Fred and Pastor Rodney are both very excited about this possibility and are advocating for it to pass; and while both church boards are in unanimous agreement, the decision has to be made by a vote of the membership of Neighborhood Church.

Yes, while there are some legal costs for us (in the range of approximately $10,000) to merge with Neighborhood Church, the benefits far outweigh what it will cost. The opportunity to launch in a facility that would become property of Newhope as well as the potential for people from Neighborhood Church to stay and serve, give, and be on mission would far outweigh the costs to us.

The vote will happen on Sunday, August 10th following the morning gathering at Neighborhood Church.

If this merger vote doesn’t pass, Newhope University Place will still be launched in 2026. We will continue to train Julian and Maria and begin looking for an alternative location to launch.

We encourage you to pray and seek the Lord. If you have questions, you can reach out to Pastor Rodney or any member of the Elder Team. We would love to have a conversation with you.

You can email us any questions to info@wearenewhope.church.