Church History – 70 Anniversary (1)

I. 1955-1970 Founding of Newton Life Church 建堂立会期

Newton Life Church began in 1955 as an offshoot of Tekka Life Church to address space needs, with land acquired at Newton Road. The first service was held in Teochew, later expanding to Mandarin and English. The English service, started in 1956, became an independent church in 1970 before resuming at Newton in 2004. Originally Presbyterian, the church became independent in 1965 and was renamed Newton Life Church in 1966. Governance began with the election of elders and deacons in 1956. Key early leaders included Rev David T. S. Yang, the first Moderator Pastor, and Rev Qiu Shao Hua, a pioneer in prison ministry who served as volunteer pastor until 1982. Their leadership helped shape the church’s early identity and mission.

纽顿生命堂创立于1955年，原为竹脚生命堂因场地不足而在纽顿路购地设立的分堂。首次崇拜以潮语进行，后陆续增加华语和英语崇拜。英语崇拜于1956年开始，后于1970年成为独立教会，直至2004年才重返纽顿。教会最初隶属长老会，1965年实现独立，并于1966年正式更名为“纽顿生命堂”。1956年，教会首次选出长老与执事，建立治理架构。早期的重要领袖包括首任摄理牧师杨作新牧师，以及监狱事工先驱邱少华牧师（义务牧会至1982年）。他们的领导为教会奠定了早期的身份与使命