"For if that
first covenant had
been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the
second.
For finding fault with them, he
saith,
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. "
Hebrews 8:7-8
The historical
events in the life of a people sometimes have their genesis in the
heart of one man.
Believing that it was God's will for
him to begin a work where he could flesh out what he believed 
God
was telling him to do, Rev. Dr. Simeon B. Hall and 33 faithful members
organized the New Covenant Baptist Church on September 5th, 1982. This
group of 33, all members of the Central Baptist Church, supported the
idea that Central, with its Southern Baptist nuances, was not prepared
to support the progressive and innovative programs which Pastor Hall
had initiated- thus an eventful and colorful journey was begun some 19
years ago. Worship services were held in a renovated section of the Chicken
Unlimited Building on Mackey Street.
From its inception, New Covenant members
knew theirs was a faith-walk. Each Sunday the aroma of chicken being
prepared at Chicken Unlimited outlet had to be replaced by the beckoning
of the Holy Spirit. As people heard and accepted the call, the body of
believers grew spiritually and numerically.
The "storefront" was equipped to seat
one hundred and twenty persons but each Sunday we packed about 200
in that place.
Our initial meeting place, though small,
was strategically located in the heart of a buzzing business area, the
Palmdale community.
In the first year
Pastor Hall and the leadership seized the opportunity to reach people
and started mid-day prayer time (a half hour prayer time with light
lunch). The idea caught on and twice each week our mid-day prayer meetings
had as many persons in attendance as did the Sunday morning services.
Another brilliant idea that gave the
church much publicity was the "pulpit sign." Erected on the eastern side
of the Chicken Unlimited building was a "home-made" pulpit sign which
caused hundreds of drivers to have a thought for the day.
At Chicken Unlimited we nurtured an
enthusiastic group. The place was small and congested but it brought
out the best in each member.
In the second year of our existence,
we acquired two and a half acres of land through the kindness of Mr.
Alcott McIntosh, and the same year through his association and work with
the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Dr. Hall had received a huge
red and white tent with a seating capacity of 300 persons.
The building was far too small and the
owners asking us to vacate; Pastor Hall challenged the Church to make
use of the tent for 6 to 8 months - Undaunted and committed the fledging
group forged forward.
Since the first phase of thee building
had begun it was thought that our stay in the tent would be a short 6
months. Eighteen months later we were still under the 2nd tent, which
was very hard to maintain, and many who began with us walked no more.
Several Sundays the tent blew down and we became the object of public
ridicule and those unwilling to bear such disdain left the membership.
These were very trying times for the infant church and many times we had to
be reminded of James 1:3: "Knowing this that the trying of your faith work
patience."
This land on the East-West Highway was
prominently located in a community with endless possibilities for soul
winning growth. With great enthusiasm we visualized our future Church
structure and made architectural plans and excitedly talked about our
plans at every opportunity.
History continued
