In collective devotion and servitude, the Board of Trustees, Senior Pastor Bishop John I. Cline, the Pastors, and Members of the New Life Baptist Church are pleased to announce the appointment of Jovan Edward Lee Cline to the position of senior pastor. The appointment will be effective January 2023.
The decision comes as current Senior Pastor, Bishop John Ivan Cline is set to transition from his role as the church’s senior pastor, a position he has held since 1993.
He is enthused to embrace an evangelistic call to serve the territory, to oversee ministries in the region like Virgin Gorda’s Emmanuel Baptist Church and to devote more time towards projects in Africa. Bishop Cline is 63 years old.
Church members and officials were first informed of the Senior Pastor’s prayerful decision to transition in December of 2021. Subsequently, following the leading of the Lord and following months of consultations with the Board and the senior leadership team, Pastor Jovan Cline was identified as his replacement. Pastor Jovan Cline, 28, and son of the outgoing Senior Pastor was ordained as a Pastor on Sunday, 30th January 2022. He currently serves as the church’s Director of Music.
“It’s been my humbling honour to have been elected by God and to have found favour with the members of this church and to have been able to serve in this way and for so long. With much prayer and supplication, I have decided to pass the mantle to another generation, and I am humbled that God has positioned Jovan, who I am blessed to call my son, to continue to the work of the Lord,” said Bishop John I. Cline.
Pastor Jovan Cline will be elevated and appointed to the office of Senior Pastor after he is sworn into office at a sacred installation service on Sunday, 29th January 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the New Life Baptist Church. The service will feature special ministerial touches and music from family and friends selected by Pastor Jovan Cline himself. Following the sacred installation service, three nights of services will be held with sermons delivered by well-known international pastors who will be guests of the church in celebration of the elevations and appointments.
“It’s a great honour to be called to such an impactful position. My father has been a genuine heart and leader for the past 30 years and I look forward to the growth of the church and our ministries as we go forward with God’s will. I am committed to the ministry that God has called me to. With each day, I intend to humbly and wholeheartedly work along with my fellow ministers to reach and relate to the congregation inside and outside the walls of the church. God has been faithful to me, and with the help of my wife, Rossy’Maria , I intend to remain faithful to him,” Pastor Jovan Cline shared.
The Pastor and members of the New Life Baptist Church have echoed their delight and support for the decision. Collectively the church has pledged their full support to the success of the new pastor and to fulfilling the church’s mission: to preach the Gospel, Make Disciples, Model Unity and Impact communities for Christ.