Our story
40 years of faith. Good things are ahead.
How it all started
From 23 to a global light.
1984
A bold beginning
On September 2nd, Apostle I.V. Hilliard founded New Light with 300 people. After a bold declaration, it dropped to 23 — and faith held.
1995
Strategies Conference
Thousands of pastors and leaders begin coming to Houston each year to learn church growth and development principles.
2007
Top 50 in America
New Light is honored as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Churches in America.
2018
The baton passes
After 10 years of mentorship, Dr. Irishea Hilliard is installed as Senior Pastor on February 23rd.
Today
A new thing
Still rooted in faith, New Light is forging ahead in generational ministry — growing locally and virtually every week.
Senior Pastor
Dr. Irishea Hilliard
Affectionately called “Dr. I,” she is a trailblazer in ministry and a prolific leadership strategist, carrying a “double grace” from her father and mother that has anchored more than 20 years of ministry.
Her passion for the next generation birthed the Spiritual Encounter youth conference in 2000 — touching over 75,000 young lives — which has grown into LOVE City USA. She is the author of Table for One and a graduate of Sam Houston State University.
A beacon in the city, she has served alongside the Houston Fire Department's annual toy drive and opened distribution centers during Hurricane Harvey. Her son Ivan serves alongside her as Youth Pastor.
Our founders
Apostle I.V. & Pastor Bridget Hilliard
Married on October 4, 1975, they co-labored to build a ministry recognized around the world — with locations across Houston, Beaumont and Austin, a nationwide television ministry and a credit union.
Apostle I.V. Hilliard
A native Houstonian called to preach at nine. Founder of Strategies Conference and A.I.M. — a network of 1,000 pastors — songwriter, teacher and author of many books on faith, family and finances.
Pastor Bridget Hilliard
Co-founder and faith teacher who helped grow the Light into a megachurch. Today she and Apostle lead New Light's Evangelical Division, sharing the Word wherever they go.
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