I’m New to the Faith—Now What?
By Ben White, New City Edgerton Pastor
First of all, welcome to the family! Deciding to follow Jesus is the most important decision you’ll ever make. At New City Church, our mission is simple: To inspire you to trust in and live like Jesus. You don’t have to figure everything out overnight, but there are some next steps that will help you grow in your faith and experience the fullness of life in Christ
Know and Be Known
You weren’t meant to follow Jesus alone. One of our values at New City is “Know and be known.” Faith is personal, but it’s not private. You need people who will walk with you, encourage you, and challenge you in your journey.
That’s why Starting Point is so important. This is where you can meet people, learn more about our church, and find ways to get connected. The Christian life is best lived in community, and Starting Point is a great way to begin building relationships with others who will support you.
“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:24-25
When you have friends in the faith, you’re more likely to stay engaged, ask questions, and grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus. Come know and form relationships with others by joining a City Group or attend New City events at your campus!
Make It Public: Baptism
One of the first things Jesus calls us to do after believing in Him is to be baptized. Baptism is a public declaration of your faith, showing that you have been buried with Christ and raised to new life (Romans 6:4).
At New City, we practice full-immersion baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It’s a beautiful and powerful next step because it represents what has already happened in your heart—you’ve been made new in Christ! If you haven’t been baptized yet, we’d love to help you take that step. You can connect with a ministry leader to let them know you’re interested at a monthly Starting Point gathering, after a Sunday service or you can email info@newcitychurch.com.
Make Disciples Who Make Disciples Who Make Disciples
Another core value at New City is “Make disciples who make disciples who make disciples.” Faith isn’t just about what we receive; it’s about how we live it out and pass it on.
• Start reading the Bible! A great place to begin is the Gospel of John.
• Pray daily. Talk to God — He wants to hear from you!
• Serve and give—Be generous with your time and resources to help others experience the love of Jesus. Your faith will grow as you actively trust Jesus and live out His teachings.
The City is Better Because We Are in It—and the City Knows It
Faith isn’t just about Sunday mornings—it’s about making an impact in the world around you. At New City, we believe “The city is better because we are in it, and the city knows it.” As you grow, look for ways to serve in your community, love your neighbors, and share the hope you’ve found in Jesus.
One More Step
You’ve already taken the biggest step—saying yes to Jesus. Now, take one more step:
• Sign up for Starting Point here.
• Connect with others and start building church friendships.
• Take the next step of baptism.
• Begin living out your faith by being discipled and making disciples through Spiritual Foundations and Experiencing God City Groups, the Discipleship Pathway and by serving others.
Jesus didn’t just save you from something—He saved you for something. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way. Let’s grow together! Are you ready for your next step? Contact us at info@newcitychurch.com and let us know how we can walk alongside you!