New Beginnings again hosts hundreds of pastors

PORTLAND-- Under the leadership of Pastors Larry and Tiz Huch, New Beginnings Christian Center this summer again empowered ministers from all over the world reminding them that “God is a good God” during the annual World Leadership Conference July 28 through Aug. 2.

In a yearly display of generosity, New Beginnings Christian Center opened the church to an estimated 600 pastors and spouses from throughout the world. The church again picked up the tab for all the guests, including airfares, accommodations, food and transportation.

“It’s our desire to see each pastor and couple, regardless of their church size, to see that they are needed and realize their importance in the body of Christ,” said Larry Huch, former drug addict who has seen New Beginnings grow from 10 to more than 5,000 congregates in a decade. He said those attending receive a “fresh hope and zeal” that enables them to go home and reach their communities.

The first Leadership Conference was held in 1994, with only 100 couples . Since then it has grown annually, with this year’s record attendance representing 14 nations as well as almost 200 cities from the United States.

Ministers received training at the conference to expand their understanding on such issues as faith, prosperity and the power of breaking family curses, so they could take this message back to their local churches and seek to win their communities for the Kingdom of God.

“Our vision was originally birthed from the desire to provide a refuge for ministers who had experienced a difficult season of ministry, or had fallen and bring restoration to their lives and ministry,” said Huch.

New Beginnings’ vision has expanded each year by helping encourage, refresh and restore ministers throughout the world who are spiritually fatigued from physical, emotional, and financial over-extension, or ministers who are looking for relationship and examples to build upon.

According to Huch, past conferences have seen pastors cancel plans for divorce, come clean of addictions, and scrap plans to leave the ministry.

“We have always said that the Church is the only army that kills its wounded. We want to bless pastors who are on the front lines of ministry. We really care and are concerned with what they face day after day.”

The Huchs have pioneered six churches -- including two in Australia-- and have been in the ministry for 20 years. “We just want everyone to realize that we are not in competition with each other, but that we’re all on the same team,” Huch said.