God's Providence - Our History

God's Providence

Founded in 1988 by Pastors Steve and Nancy Boyce, New Life Worship Center began as a tiny storefront chapel located behind Little Rhody's A&W Root Beer Restaurant on Route 44 in Smithfield, Rhode Island. As we reflect on the relatively short period of the last two decades, it is largely evident that our Church history has been in step with the blessings of God. Under the dynamic leadership of just six adults, with their three children, NLWC has since developed into a vibrant and jubilant congregation of over 1000 strong!

To accommodate an increasing Christian community in the New England region, NLWC has responded by expanding its facilities on several occasions. At the first storefront facility, the 800-square-foot building was zoned to allow a seating capacity of only 40 persons. In a few short months' time, the congregation realized that a larger forum was needed due to its well-attended services and ministry involvement, and just six months later, another expansion took place. In the fall of 1990, renovations began on a 9500-square-foot warehouse located on Lark Industrial Parkway in Smithfield, and in February of 1991, we were able to move into our new sanctuary.



God is Faithful

In the ensuing years, God moved mightily among us, and our Church family has continued to grow in numbers. On December 28, 1993, the Lord moved miraculously and allowed us to purchase 40 pristine acres of undeveloped land at 915 Douglas Pike (Route 7) in the township of Smithfield, located immediately off Interstate 295. We anointed the land with oil and dedicated it for the building of the Lord's House on May 29, 1994. In April of 1996 we ceremoniously broke ground for the first time, and in August of that same year construction began. On June 29, 1997, the NLWC family experienced an extraordinary day of victory as hundreds of cars joined in a line of procession from the former church site to our beautiful new sanctuary and state-of-the-art facility. We stood united in awe at what God had accomplished from such humble beginnings, as local police temporarily closed an entire section of Interstate 295 in honor of this holy procession and dedication of God's House!