The Foundation

On March 13, 2001, God called Reverend Alvin T. Harmon Sr. to be the Founder and Pastor of New Life Sanctuary. God was very implicit as to where he wanted his ministry to be held, in the basement of his home, which many times prior had been used for ministry, choir rehearsals, family gatherings, prayer, and housing the homeless.

On March 14th around 1a.m., he was awakened by God with the church name New Life Sanctuary; he was inspired to write it down, to ensure he would not forget what God had given him, as his mission would be to transform the lives of many so that their lives could be made new through Christ. A few weeks later while pursuing the church charter with the State of Maryland, a church in Baltimore, MD had also submitted the same church name, but God had a plan. Due to the requirement that no two churches could employ the same name in the same state, they had to change their name, since the State of Maryland had received the charter of New Life Sanctuary in Salisbury, MD first. On March 18th, 2001, New Life Sanctuary held its first service in the basement of the home of Pastor and Co-Pastor Alvin T. Harmon Sr. with 12 persons to shepherd. On May 20, 2001 the dedication and installation services were held for both the church and the Pastors. 

On August 8, 2010, Co-Pastor Lottie Harmon received a call that there was a building on West Road for sale that was previously a church. As this location was less than 3 minutes away from their home where services were already being held, she made a phone call to inquire about a possible purchase to the owner after consulting with Pastor Alvin Harmon Sr. and trustees. One week later, 822 West Rd. became the new home of New Life Sanctuary, where the word continued to be preached, with souls being healed, delivered, and set free. 

On March 13, 2016, Pastor Alvin T. Harmon Sr. preached his last sermon during Sunday Morning Worship, laying it all on the line, while admonishing the saints to, "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV). These very same words the congregation would need to stand on, as not many days later God would call him home. On March 17, 2016, Pastor Alvin T. Harmon Sr. made his transition to be with the Lord. While he is sorely missed, his obedience to God to heed the call to ministry and the foundation he laid for the people cannot be both celebrated and appreciated enough. With a focus on self-examination, his sermons mixed profound biblical wisdom, with a dash of humor, a side of practicality, coupled with direct admonishment, yet always packaged in love. His more memorable sermons being, "Don't Let Your Addiction be Your Contract to Hell" and "Staying Cool in a Heated Situation", will live on in the hearts and minds of many both far and near. As he was a light to all that knew him whether in the pulpit, neighborhood, or on the job.

Now without a Shepherd, New Life would have to lean and depend solely on God, counting him both faithful and just to provide, knowing that, ". . . he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6 KJV). While no one could fill the shoes of Pastor Alvin T. Harmon Sr., it was vital that the work of the ministry go on. God answered the call, on July 21, 2017 Elder Charles Corbin Jr. was installed as the new Pastor of New Life Sanctuary, where he has been pastoring now for five years. Adding yet another layer to the foundation. Committed to discipleship, Pastor Charles Corbin Jr. is devoted to making disciples of all men, women, and children alike. Providing biblical instruction on both knowing and growing in Christ, in order to exhibit the love of Christ not as we've been taught through tradition, but as instructed by God, as he likes to say, "Let love labor". Today New Life Sanctuary is Shepherded by Pastor Charles Corbin Jr. and First Lady Crystal Corbin and both guided and supported by our remaining founder, Co-Pastor Lottie Harmon. Learn more about our founders below.