Rick Bezet
|
Rick BezetBoard Member In the winter of 2001, in obedience to the call and direction of God, Rick Bezet and his family moved to the Little Rock area from his lifetime home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Rick attended Southeastern College in Louisiana and received his degree in 1988 from Gulf States Bible College in Louisiana. His degree is in theology with a minor in Greek. Rick served for 13 years at Bethany World Prayer Center, a mega church of almost 10,000 people. At Bethany, Rick served in a number of positions including that of Senior Associate Pastor, with oversight of many ministries, staff and volunteers. And he often traveled for the church in a role as Bethany began to mushroom into a huge fellowship with the successful introduction of small groups and a number of other successful evangelism and discipleship strategies. When Rick and his family moved to Conway, Arkansas, their goal and purpose was to begin launching a church with a few people that would reach the unchurched and “de-churched” of the area and region. On February 4th, 2001, New Life Church was born in a remodeled car dealership in Conway – 508 people attended the first service with helpers coming in from around the country! In the weeks and months that followed, New Life Church experienced extremely rapid growth as people were continually drawn by the fresh and life-giving message of Jesus given in a fresh, often unconventional way and by cutting edge, upbeat contemporary praise and worship experiences. Leadership and discipleship training began very soon in the life of the church, and small fellowship “life groups” were introduced. These groups have given many an opportunity to serve and many more the opportunity to find the connection, fellowship, and accountability they consistently need. In time more staff was added as necessary, including a number of families from Louisiana and also families from within the church and community to accommodate the growing needs of the church. Within a short time another campus was begun in Maumelle/North Little Rock, and later a satellite church was begun in Heber Springs. New Life Church also sponsored a church plant in Fayetteville in January 2005. Today New Life Church has three campuses, including seven weekend services, four midweek Real Life/G-Life services for the youth, and a Sunday evening college/career service called Elevation. In the Spring of 2005 ground was broken for a new multi-purpose worship facility in the Conway area and land has been secured for a new, larger facility for the Maumelle/NLR campus. The facility in Conway was ready for occupancy in the spring with the opening weekend on March 4-5, 2006. We are now in the process of constructing a new facility for Maumelle/NLR campus. Rick and his team continue to be amazed and thankful for the continuing blessing and favor of God. Rick and his wife, Michelle have been happily married for eighteen years and have four happy children: Hunter, age 15; Hailee, age 13; Tanner, age 11; and Grace, age 9. |
