U.S. Army Chaplain (LTC) J.S. Hartman was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia from 1997 to 2000 and served as the Winn Army Community Hospital Chaplain. He felt drawn to Georgia’s beautiful coastal empire, and after retiring from the U.S. Army in 2003, he began seeking approval from the Georgia District United Pentecostal Church to begin a church. Once approved, he and his wife and family began a church in Pooler, Georgia.

They called the church “Azusa Now.” The first service was in the conference room of a local hotel in April 2003. About a year later, they relocated to a shopping center where they continued services for another year. In 2005, they purchased property located at 1410 Pine Barren Road in Bloomingdale, Georgia – just outside of Pooler. After some renovations, the small house on the property served as a place to worship. As the church grew and needed more space, the congregation purchased a portable building. After renovation and a name change, New Life Sanctuary.

The Hartmans temporarily relocated back to Texas from 2008-2010. During that time, Reverend Bryan Smith came with his family to serve as pastor from September 2008 to April 2012. After Pastor Smith’s resignation, Pastor J.S. Hartman returned as pastor and continued leading the church family at New Life Sanctuary until his retirement in October of 2022.

The church is currently in transition.