A Bit of History

Nuestros Comienzos en Manatí

Christian Life Mission / Iglesia Nuevo Testamento is a pentecostal movement that started in the island of Puerto Rico in 1978 through the ministerial efforts of an American couple named David and Jill Barlock. They settled in the coastal town of Manatí in the northern coast of the Island, obeying what they believed was a calling from God to minister to the latin community. Even though they had to face the formidable obstacle of not knowing the Spanish language and poverty, they managed to establish three churches on the Island by 1979 and began to expand their efforts going to the neighboring Dominican Republic in 1980 and then on to Central and South America.

The Barlock family testimony inspired many others, especially young people, to step forward and offer themselves to full-time ministry. Consecuently, they received more than 79 full-time students by 1988 and then sent them out to the mission field, efforts that were sponsored by their organization.

In Puerto Rico, there are currently 13 churches that belong to the "Concilio de Iglesias del Nuevo Testamento". The church in Dorado has attracted a large number of musicians, singers, and famous artists in Puerto Rico during the last decade. Among them, there are two singers that have given way to the full-time ministry: Alex D'Castro, known as the "Puertorrican tenor", who pastors a growing church in the city of Río Piedras. He has expanded his efforts to reach the surrounding towns of Toa Baja, Juncos, Cataño, Caguas, and Carolina. You may visit their website at: www.alexdcastroint.net. Carlos Camacho, the lead voice for the famous "Los Hispanos" quartet for many years, is currently pastoring a new church in the city of Ponce. You may also visit the church website at: www.intponce.org.

The missionary efforts of INT in Puerto Rico have extended to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Venezuela, and, more recently, Costa Rica and Colombia. All these churches are growing and taking the necessary steps to train ministers in their own countries to help expand their evangelistic efforts.

In the United States, our Fellowship, known as "Christian Life Mission" ministers churches in the states of Ohio (general headquarters), Connecticut, Texas, Florida, Maryland, and California.

David and Jill Barlock served as pastors in the island of Puerto Rico for 22 years. Pastor Barlock is the recognized apostle in the organization and he functions as General Overseer, traveling during the year to our various international conventions hosted by the various branches of our Fellowship. Pastor Jill Barlock is an annointed preacher that focuses her ministry towards women. Her dynamic testimony of salvation and calling to the ministry has served as inspiration to hundreds of women. Some of them have referred to her manner of sharing the message as "sweet thunder".

The other Supervisors that help administer the churches are:

Pastor Leovigilido Gómez, INT Supervisor in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. Pastor Gómez was ordained in 1983 and now serves as the vice-president of our international body of churches. He is also pastoring the church in Manatí.

Pastor Thomas Klaserner is the Supervisor for Christian Life Mission in Ohio. Pastor Klaserner currently pastors a growing assembly in Uhrichsville, Ohio.

For a complete listing of our churches, their websites and other information, please go to our churches .