In 1985 Kurt Jurgensmeier and Pete Grose were teamed up with Pastor Duane Laugerman in campus ministry at the University of Iowa. Hundreds of college students were ministered too, many receiving Christ and committing their lives to Him. While many left Iowa City after graduation, some remained to further the ministry to the students. However, as more students were married, had children, and obtained jobs (particularly in Cedar Rapids) the vision for a church plant was born.
As a result, in 1994 about 25 adults and children left houses, friends, and some jobs to begin New Life Community Church in Cedar Rapids. These pioneers included Kurt and wife Brenda, Pete, Ray and Shari Damaso, Mike and Angie Reinert, Ed Lovetinsky, and Corey Schneller.
New Life began in Kurt’s living room. Newcomers were enthusiastically welcomed. Because of our size, no one could come and do nothing or be unnoticed. Each person was precious and needed. We became a family of best friends sacrificially serving Christ together. The friendliness, transparency, sincerity, informality, and authenticity that people continue to experience at New Life now, started in that living room. In a way, no matter the future size or location of New Life, we will never leave the living room.
