Interested Parties
Our Church.
OUR STORY, Christian Life Assembly has a rich and influential history of God’s people loving, caring and reaching the Willimantic/Windham region for Jesus Christ. The church was founded by Pastor Harold D. Hanson in 1952 with the help of a founding member and his wife, Andy and Lou Sabo. On February 14, 1952, Assembly of God Chapel provided their first worship service at 133 Union Street, Willimantic, CT. The welcome card stated, “A Hearty Welcome to ALL and A Place Where The Old Fashioned Gospel is Preached.”
In 1953, Assembly of God Chapel bought the Cardinal Funeral Home on 88 Windham Rd, Willimantic, CT and turned it into their new church and changed their name to “Willimantic Assembly of God Church” in 1954.
August 29, 1959, Willimantic Assembly of God Church dedicated their newly built church located at 143 Windham Rd. Willimantic, CT.
From that point, God continued to add to the church and many lives were influenced and changed. God blessed Willimantic Assembly with several loving and caring pastors. 1952-1960 Pastor Harold D. Hanson, founder; 1960-1972 Pastor Normal Suhl; 1972-1976 Pastor Clarence Willet; 1976-1979 Pastor Thomas R. Brubaker, Jr.; 1979-1984 Pastor Harold Mizner; 1984-1991 Pastor Kenneth Newhook.
Under Pastor Kenneth Newhook’s leadership in 1987, Christian Life Assembly began construction on the new sanctuary due to tremendous growth. Additionally, Windham Christian Academy was established in 1989 and provided a quality education to students (grades 1-8) through 2009.
February 9, 1992 Pastor Dwayne Harper became the new pastor of Christian Life Assembly and the church began to grow exponentially and provided numerous outreaches to the community, especially through the arts and a heavy focus on missions. Pastor Harper pastored CLA for 18 years and built the church through love until his retirement on June 27, 2010.
July 25, 2010 – November 25, 2015 Pastor Dr. Richard D. Lafferty pastored CLA and blessed the church with his rich biblical teachings and his ability to administrate.
January 31, 2016 - June 2023 Pastor Donnie J. Capps pastored CLA
June 2023 - Present Interim Pastor Randal Smith
OUR PROFILE, Christian Life Assembly, Willimantic, is a Bible- believing, gospel-driven, kingdom-reaching, people-loving, fervent-praying, disciple-making, mission-minded, God-honoring church. We have been ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Windham Area since 1952. We are a medium-size congregation with an average Sunday attendance of approximately 168.
At CLA we genuinely care about one another and the close relationship that exists between our members, inside and outside the church, makes it feels like family. As a body of believers, we seek to live an authentic Christian life, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed, always dedicated to sharing God’s love with others and always surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
We are a multi-cultural church with a congregation that reflects the diversity of our community. We are financially stable and our congregation is generous and faithful in giving to support the work of the kingdom.
Our Mission, Our Vision.
JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SEEK, and to save the lost, we feel compelled to do the same. But Jesus went beyond rescuing people from hell; He wanted to make them fit for heaven. Through various sub-ministries of the church, we desire people not only to meet Christ but also over time, we desire for all believers to become spiritually mature (complete) as evidenced by participation in authentic worship, by serving Christ, by working to reach the world for Christ, by personal spiritual growth, by compassionate servitude, and by a good understanding of Scripture and correct doctrine. (Colossians 1:28)
Our Missions.
CLA SUPPORTS, local, national, and international missions.
Jesus said, “…if anyone give even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
Our Beliefs.
1. WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
2. WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
3. WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.
4. WE BELIEVE...though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
5. WE BELIEVE...Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior).
6. WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.
7. WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times.
8. WE BELIEVE... The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
9. WE BELIEVE...Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
10. WE BELIEVE...The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
11. WE BELIEVE...A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church and to Meet human need with ministries of love and compassion.
12. WE BELIEVE...Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins).
13. WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever.
14. WE BELIEVE...in The Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
15. WE BELIEVE...A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
16. WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'
Demographics
Our Region.
Our Parsonage.
Our Home.
Our Committee.
Your Story...
After prayerful consideration, we believe that the next pastor of Christian Life Assembly, Willimantic, should possess the characteristics described below:
Preacher/Teacher: We expect you to be an individual who possesses a deep knowledge of the Word of God and is able to competently teach the word of God in a clear and understandable manner to the congregation.
Devotional life: You should be an individual who places a high priority on your personal devotion to the Lord. You see this as critical to the success of your preaching and other pastoral responsibilities.
Pastoring skills: You should be a person with a shepherd’s heart, who loves and enjoys people; who relates well to people of all ethnic backgrounds through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. You should be a servant-leader who leads by your own example and will ensure that all church members receive pastoral care and visitation as needed.
Communication: You, the senior pastor will be a dynamic preacher and teacher of the Bible who is able to inspire, challenge, encourage and mobilize the congregation for the work of the kingdom.
Leadership: You are expected to be a person with great leadership skills and a vision to lead the church in its mission to its members and to the community. You should recognize leadership potential in others and be able to help them develop their spiritual gifts and ministries.
Administration: You should possess organizational skills, provide administrative leadership in all areas of church life and coordinate the day-to-day operation of the church. You should be a good manager of people and be willing to delegate responsibility appropriately.
Stewardship: You should be a good steward of the resources of the church. You must be accountable to God, the church Board, and the congregation.
Family and Children: You should be a person that supports children and youth ministries with a vision of developing Godly families. You should strive to see people of all ages using and developing their gifts and fully participating in the life of the church and its mission.
Missions: You should possess a heart for missions and be committed to the growth and support of missions in the local community and around the world.
Ministry Experience: You are an ordained minister with proven positive experience as lead pastor ideally for a minimum of six years.
After a season of prayer, if you sense that God is leading you to apply for this ministry position at Christian Life Assembly, Willimantic, then please move according to the Lord’s will. We look forward to reviewing your materials. May God bless you.