ABOUT
About Us
Burdened with a concern for the urban south-side area of Youngstown Ohio, Rev. Thomas Fortini moved from his suburban associate pastor’s ministry position in Austintown, Ohio into an abandoned ministry site to launch a ministry in October of 1998.
The ministry began with its first Sunday worship service on October 18, 1998. A weekly Wednesday Bible Study followed. Because of the great financial need that surrounded the ministry the “Bread of Life” Food Pantry was launched. It feeds hundreds of families each month through its bi-weekly distribution. To meet the clothing needs, the “Garments of Praise” ministry was initiated opening also to the community in conjunction with the pantry.
A Benevolence Fund was started to assist the needy with emergency medical, utility, and housing needs. New Beginning soon became a common place of referral by area social agencies.
To ignite its gospel ministry that spring, a door-to-door evangelist campaign was launched Memorial Day weekend entitled “Harvest 2000.” The good news of Jesus Christ was taken to hundreds of homes within the neighborhood throughout the summer and into the early fall. In the proceeding summers, mass door-to-door distributions of Bibles, the “Jesus Film, and other spiritual
videos were given to meet the communities spiritual needs.
Outdoor evangelistic meetings have been and are a large part of the summer itinerary. On the lawn of the church, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July services take place annually with a free picnic to follow.
To minister to the children of the neighborhood bussing ministry, and Vacation Bible Schools are just some of the way in which this need has been addressed.
Each week Children’s Church and Wednesday Evening Studies are provided.
Special trips have also been a part of our children’s ministry.
There have been trips to Kenny Wood Amusement Park, PNC Park, and Eastwood Field.
Gospel dramas have also been a part of our itinerary, Heaven’s Gate’s, Hell’s Flames” was performed for hundreds of people over several evenings, for two consecutive
years to emphasize one’s need for Christ.
Because of the addiction epidemic within the city, New Beginning has hosted NA and AA meetings within its facility. It also started a Celebrate Recovery meeting to meet this great need.
To assist the emotionally and spiritually wounded an “Inner- Healing” ministry was begun. Pastoral counseling and prayer groups helped many who were mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in need. Relief is found by many for their inner wounds.
Holidays also have been a ministry priority. Thanksgiving Day community meals have been provided for the city. For those who were incapacitated the meals were delivered to their homes. Each Christmas Eve not only is a church service conducted, but an annual nursing home outreach took place, where the members caroled and brought gifts.
Presently New Beginning has launched into its newest phase of ministry
based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 25.
Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.’- NIV
Prison outreaches were launched Christmas Eve Day of 2016. Since then Christmas Day, and Easter Sunday outreaches were also conducted as members of New Beginning went to the Ohio State Penitentiary to conduct services in order to encourage the incarcerated and given them hope!
The hope of New Beginning is to reach farther into the corrections community to
meet its re-entry needs.
MEET OUR PASTOR
Rev. Tom Fortini is the founding pastor of New Beginning Church, an inner-city ministry in Youngstown Ohio which held its first service on October 18, 1998. He serves also as a chaplain for the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown, Ohio, and is a Director at Large for the Evangelical Church Alliance. He’s also listed as a testimony speaker for Gideon’s International Bible Society.
Ever since his dramatic conversion in 1988, Pastor Tom has shared his testimony on television, and radio. His great passion is to lead others into the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ that he has found.
New Beginning Church has been featured in an article in a national publication entitled, The Inner City Miracle. He has also hosted The Sword of the Spirit radio broadcast on WHKW AM, and has appeared in a documentary entitled, The Real Exorcist. He brings over twenty years of seasoned pastoral and evangelistic experience to New Beginning Church.
OUR BELIEF
We believe that both Old and New Testaments constitute the divinely inspired word of God, inerrant in the originals.
We believe in one God existing eternally in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful men.
We believe that the Holy Spirit came forth from the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; and to regenerate, sanctify, comfort and seal those who believe in Jesus Christ.
We believe that man is totally depraved in that of himself he is utterly unable to remedy his lost condition.
We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose atoning blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
We believe in the water baptism of believers, symbolizing the believer's union in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We believe in the observance of the Lord's Supper commemorating the sacrifice of our Savior for all mankind.
We believe the life of the believer is to be separated from the world by consistent conduct before God and man, and is to be in the world as a life-giving light.
We believe in the personal and visible and bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
FACILITY
The facility in which New Beginning is housed was given to the congregation as a gift by the former Central Christian Church of Youngstown Ohio.
Central not only gave the generous gift of this facility that was fully furnished, complete with a computer, copiers, pews, church van, choir robes, hymnals, Bibles, furniture, sound system, three pianos, an organ, library, church van, and lawn equipment, but it’s financial assets as well.
New Beginning will always be grateful for their kindness and generosity.
OUR MISSON
The mission of New Beginning Church is to advance the Kingdom of God, for the glory of God, and the
salvation of mankind.
The mission of New Beginning Church is to advance the Kingdom of God, for the glory of God, and the salvation of mankind, through:
1. Prayer.
Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
2. Proclamation.
Luke 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
3. Practical demonstration.
Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
4. Partnerships.
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. - What is the mission and belief of the church?
