New Testament Church known as THE MENT is a place where God resides. At THE MENT, we emancipate the oppressed, equip the masses and exalt Jesus Christ. Our focus is to empower people through the Word of God and enable them to experience Him in the fullness of His power and anointing. We believe in changing hearts by keeping it real. Dr. Jerome L. Williams leads one of the most fervent church congregations in Virginia.

New Testament Church continues to stand as a strong witness of the Good News of Jesus throughout our community and beyond. New Testament Church proclaims through word and witness the reconciling, welcoming love of Jesus Christ.

We are a place where you can be encouraged to focus on what matters most and a place where you can make a difference in your family. We are a place where you can develop friendships with others who want their lives to count while investing yourself in eternal things, and a place where you are significant, where you are loved, where you can grow, where your talents and abilities can be put to work in God’s Kingdom!!!

NTC Church History

New Testament Church had it’s beginnings on October 6, 1974, worshipping at the Cavalier Manor Elementary School Auditorium in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The membership continued to grow under the leadership of the late Bishop Charles H. Bowens. The church was able to purchase land on Rapidan Street, in the Cavalier Manor subdivision of Portsmouth. The ground breaking ceremony was held in 1979, the congregation marched from Cavalier Manor Elementary School into their new sanctuary at our current location of 403 Rapidan Street. Shortly afterwards, New Testament Baptist Church, became non-denominational and changed its name to New Testament Church. Bishop Bowens went home with the Lord Jesus Christ in the year 2001, and Elder Jerome L. Williams, an original and home grown member, and then minister, became our new pastor.

Currently under Pastor Williams’ leadership, the mission, vision and membership has grown to nearly 1,000 members and another location in Virginia Beach, VA. Through much prayer and member's support, God has allowed NTC to complete the first phase of expansion. Beginning as a vision from God through Bishop Bowens, the improvement of the sanctuary, parking lot, and addition of a multi-purpose room has come to pass under the leadership of Pastor Williams.

New Testament Church currently has more than 40 ministries and recently opened a new sanctuary at our Portsmouth location. We are affectionately knows as “The Ment”.  Guided by the motto: “Changing Hearts by Keeping It Real,” Williams developed Changing Hearts International Ministries. This ministry includes a television broadcast, which is aired weekly in thousands of homes and an on demand and Live Internet Web cast seen all over the world through streamingfaith.com.

The Vision at New Testament Church is very simple:

Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry.
To develop and pursue a ministry of reconciliation.
To be a light to our city.
To take the gospel to the world.
To express compassion and love to a hurting, sick, dying, and lost generation