Affiliation: New Life is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The PCA was established in 1973 in response to the need for a biblical and evangelical witness to Jesus Christ, faithful to the scriptural truths recaptured in the historic Reformation (and so it is a "reformed" denomination). The PCA has established as its top priorities: (1) to be biblical in its doctrine and form of government; and (2) committed to evangelism, Christian education, and the equipping of every Christ-follower for ministry. Church Government: New Life operates in a presbyterian form of church government or, in other words, a representative form of government. The responsible officers are the elders, each of whom is elected by the congregation. The Senior Pastor, as well as the associate pastors and ruling elders, make up the Session (similar to a board of directors), and are responsible for the governance and spiritual oversight of the church. History: New Life started in 1977 as a home Bible study in Mira Mesa. Worship services formally began in 1978 in an elementary school in Mira Mesa with eight families. In 1979 the young congregation moved to a facility in Poway. When William Rudolph, the organizing pastor resigned in late 1979, Dick Kaufmann was called as New Life's new pastor. Dick Kaufmann pastored New Life for 14 years. During that time, New Life moved to Escondido, purchased and constructed its current facility, planted two daughter churches, and realigned its denominational affiliation from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) to the PCA. In 1994, Dick Kaufmann accepted a call to minister in New York City at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA). In 1995, Dan Deaton accepted New Life's call to be its next Senior Pastor. Dan served at New Life for four years and resigned in 1999. Dr. Dennis Johnson, Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary in California and an Associate Pastor at New Life, served as Interim Pastor. In October 2001, Ted Hamilton was called and installed as Senior Pastor of New Life.