New Canaan International Church began as the result of a Word from the Lord to Pastor Cardwell and a few believers during July 1995 in New Orleans, LA while he was attending the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Conference. On July 30, 1995, forty-four persons join with Pastor Cardwell in formally organizing the new birth of the New Canaan Family.
As the new congregation emerged they emphasized the core values that had been at the heart of the small group that originally conceived the dream of a new congregation. These values included a commitment to become Bible Fed and Bible Led , a spirit-filled worship service, a strong Christian Education program and a heart for caring for each other, sharing the Good News of the Gospel, and serving Christ and community.
"Exceptional Moments in Our History"
September 10, 1995
Under the Anointing and Leadership of Pastor Cardwell, for five weeks, the congregation met at the Sheraton Hotel on Laburnum Avenue. The congregation moved our worship service to the new Arthur Ashe Elementary School, where the congregation remained until February 4, 1996. It was during this time that Dr. Robert Williams and Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church family were gracious and kind to allow our congregation to utilize their classrooms for our Bible Study and Prayer Services.
February 4, 1996
The congregation of New Canaan Community Church leased with option to purchase a building at 3911 Austin Avenue. It was during our experience at Austin Avenue, under the leadership of our Pastor, we began our Summer Youth Enrichment Program, entitled Team Kid Club. This program received recognition for its quality and effect it had on youth in our community, from then Governor of Virginia, the Honorable George Allen.
December 1996
Felecia Coleman accepted her Call the Ministry and was licensed.
April 1997
Pamela Lyons accepted her Call to the Ministry and was licensed.
December 15, 1997
Under the leadership of Pastor Cardwell, the church continued to grow and progress. The congregation with Pastor purchased the New Canaan Outreach Center at 3123 North Avenue. The highlight of our stay there was our first Spiritual encounter with God Almighty through an orchestrated call from God to celebrate 50-Days of Prayer and Praise. It was during the closing ceremonies that Flora S. Cardwell was ordained as our First Elder.
May 1998
New Canaan accepted the Call of three Deacons, who received and accepted their ordination. In 1999, God selected and blessed New Canaan with four additional Deacons to oversee and manage the Lords business. These were men and women anointed and called by God to serve under the leadership of Pastor Cardwell. These men and women walked in obedience to the Word and Authority of God, and became a living example to the congregation of the same love and leading of the Holy Spirit that had been exemplified through our Pastor, Elder and Ministers.
Pastors Anniversary Celebration in 1999
Pastor Cardwell received a new revelation from the Lord God to move the congregation to a higher level. The Church received a broader name. We became New Canaan International Church. Also, our Pastor was a recipient and honored with a Doctoral Degree in Sacred Literature.
It was during our 1999 Churchs Anniversary that two very distinguishing Awards were confirmed. These Awards were established to honor Outstanding Contribution to the Life of the Church from members. The first was investiture as the Founders Cup in tribute to our Pastor and Founder. It would be awarded to the member who best exemplified the spirit of the vision of the Pastor.
The second Award was investiture as the Horizon in commemoration of our Elder Flora Cardwell. The Horizon Award was established to honor the member who had shown outstanding personal and spiritual growth and development.
In 1999, New Canaan under the leadership of our Pastor, was selected by the National Childrens Defense Fund to participate in a pilot program in Richmond, VA, and become a pilot project site for the One Church
Ten Families program. The entire Church participated in training and development session. Our Pastor Cardwell and members were invited to visit the Alex Haley Farm in Tenn., for additional training. Also, another great ministry was ordained into existence, our Covenant Care Ministry. This ministry was developed to provide committed care for each member and their family needs.
February 2000
God through His infamous wisdom and unconditional love blessed New Canaan. We moved into our current facility and were voted and accepted into membership of the Richmond Baptist Association.
2001
We inaugurated the One Church
Ten Families project. The membership of New Canaan began to reach out to community at-risk youth through a mentorship and educational program. Over 100 youth attended this program.
God called to the ministry, Gary Bullock. Minister Bullock was licensed to the ministry at our Watch Night Service.
2002
New Canaans health ministry was conceived, and the congregation experienced its first extraordinary Youth Exposition with Brother Leroy Hampton and his wife, Sister India Hampton.
January 2004
Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of Pastor and Elder Cardwell, New Canaan International Church established and opened its first business, New Jubilee Educational and Family Life Center-- Child Development Center and a ministry of that Center, Summer S.L.A.M. Camp. God has continued to bless both of these ministries to grow and become a vehicle for the community.
In 2004, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and guidance of Pastor and Elder Cardwell, New Canaan established its second business entity, Canaan Café.
2005
God called Deacon Jason Boswell and Paul Stevens to the ministry during our Watch Night Service. Deacon Vincent Coleman accepted his call to the ministry in 2005, also.
Today the leadership, ministries and congregation continues to grow into a team that is committed to exalting Christ together in worship, encouraging each other toward spiritual growth, and ministering the redemptive love of God to the community and the world. We are excited about your desire and purpose to be part of the dynamic team!
