New Life Ripley

The First United Pentecostal Church was established in a storefront building in Ripley in 1954 by Gene Norman. In 1955, Brother Norman built the original block church building on the property where the church is currently located.

After completing the building, Brother Norman left the church to accept employment in Alaska. In the years following his departure and until 1964, the church was pastored by at least six different ministers.

On April 1, 1964, Herman Hancock was elected pastor of the small block church, which had an attendance of approximately 25 people. At that time, only one man in the congregation had received the Holy Ghost. After six months, work began to enlarge the church building. In 1974, the church was bricked, and a large Sunday School department and kitchen were added.

In 1990, the church’s name was changed to New Life Pentecostal Church. Attendance continued to grow and eventually reached a peak of 237.

Brother Hancock served faithfully as pastor until 2001, when he was elected Senior Pastor. At that time, the church elected Brother Bobby Goode as Pastor. In 2003, a new sanctuary was completed.

Brother Goode, Brother Hancock’s son-in-law, continues to serve as pastor today. Brother Hancock remained Senior Pastor until May 5, 2019, when a stroke left him unable to continue his duties. He then retired after giving a total of 55 years of service to New Life Pentecostal Church.

The congregation continues to pray for a great revival that will encompass the entire town of Ripley.