Dr. Terry Ellison
Founder and CEO of New Life Church of God in Christ/New Life Ministries, Dr. Terry Ellison faithfully executes God’s vision for one church in seven locations. Powerfully anointed to lead, he directs a successful, multi-faceted, multi-million-dollar ministry that includes philanthropic services, numerous community outreach initiatives, an accredited Bible college, a job skills center, a 24-hour Christian radio station, a television broadcast ministry, and diverse counseling services—each housed across seven church campuses strategically located throughout Montgomery, Alabama. Additionally, New Life’s eighth location, New Life Birmingham, serves the Birmingham, Alabama area.
In 2021, Dr. Ellison was appointed Vice President of the National Church Growth Department of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) by Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard. In August 2023, he was also appointed Administrative Assistant within the Alabama First Jurisdiction by Bishop O. L. Meadows. Most recently, in April 2025, Dr. Ellison was named President of the National COGIC Church Growth Department for the 2025–2028 quadrennial term. In this national role, Dr. Ellison is dedicated to equipping local churches with the tools and strategies necessary to maximize their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and fully activate their spiritual gifts. His mission is to increase church attendance, strengthen membership retention, encourage ongoing discipleship, and inspire lay members to grow both personally and spiritually.
Dr. Ellison earned his doctorate from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology. He resides in Montgomery, Alabama, with the love of his life, Dr. Jevonnah Ellison. Together, they share a beautiful family of six children and 20 grandchildren.