Get to know us.
Meet our Pastors
Pastors John & Karla Blackah
John, born in Leeds, moved with his family at the age of seven to the North of France as missionaries. He then moved to Paris, France where his parents began pastoring a Church that is still going strong today. In 2011, John moved to Redding California in order to attend Bethel Church’s school of ministry where he studied for three years.
Karla, born in South Florida, USA is a first generation Latin American with her family originating from Puerto Rico and Honduras. Karla gave her life to Jesus in her early teens when her family and her began attending a local church. In 2013, God called Karla to attend Bethel’s school of ministry in Redding, California, where she met her neighbour, John.
They married in 2015 and both felt a calling to move to the UK and more specifically, to Wolverhampton to be a part of what God was doing in LifeSpring Ministries.
Over the past six years, they have served on staff at LifeSpring Church in various roles and have been part of the Core Team Leadership of the Church as well as the Youth and Young Adults Pastors.
In 2020, the previous pastors of Emmanuel New Life Church, Rod & Pauline Lewis who had been pastoring faithfully for 47 years, contacted LifeSpring with a desire to become a part of the LifeSpring Apostolic Family and enter into a time of succession. Immediately, all parties involved felt confirmation from God that it was to be John & Karla who would take on the role of Pastors of ENLC and see God move powerfully through this Church and in the region.
John & Karla both carry a heart for complete transformation of the spirit, body and soul and are passionate about equipping people in the upward, inward and outward journey of Christianity.
Emmanuel New Life’s History
Pastor Rod Lewis and his wife Pauline had previously been pastors of Emmanuel New Life Church for Forty Seven Years. The moved to Burntwood in 1975 from Yorkshire after God had called them to Pastor the Church. Over the years, God has moved powerfully through the church with mighty signs and wonders. Throughout the years, Pastor Rod was able to travel to many nations such as Russia and the Ukraine, preaching the Gospel and seeing a wonderful move of God that has touched many lives.
After decades of faithful service, Rod & Pauline felt it was time to hand the work of God over to the next generation. Through diligent prayer, God lead them to LifeSpring Ministries and began to build a connection with the Senior leaders Tony & Ursula Wastall and their team, with a view to join Emmanuel New Life Church into the LifeSpring Family.
On the 2nd January 2022, Pastor Rod & Pauline made a profound prophetic act, of handing over the baton to Pastors John & Karla Blackah, to carry on the Legacy of the move of God in Burntwood and the surrounding area and to lead Emmanuel New Life Church into the new season.
LifeSpring Apostolic Family
Emmanuel New Life Church is a part of a Global Church family called ‘LifeSpring Ministries’.
LifeSpring Apostolic Family (LAF) is a community of churches and ministries relating together as friends and partners to fulfil a common mission. Led by Tony and Ursula Wastall, LAF seeks to plant and grow vibrant influential churches across the world, carrying the core values of LifeSpring.
In the LifeSpring Apostolic Family, leaders find encouragement, resources and opportunities with others in covenant relationship.
PURSUING GOD’S TRANSFORMING PRESENCE
MAKING CHRIST AND THE GOSPEL CENTRAL
ENJOYING ACTIVE TWO-WAY FRIENDSHIP
REACHING THE WORLD TOGETHER IN MISSION
COMMITTING TO PERSONAL GROWTH, FREEDOM AND WHOLENESS
LifeSpring Ministries Senior Leaders | Tony & Ursula Wastall
