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 1984
 While looking for more spacious accommodations to rent, Robert learned of a developed piece of industrial property on River Avenue that would make an excellent church facility. We had saved $10,000, enough to make the necessary renovations. The realtor suggested that we make an offer since the property was for sale. Why not? God put $700 on Robert's heart as a reasonable amount for a mortgage payment. Although the building was worth considerably more, we offered $70,000. To our surprise, a counter offer came back of $80,000, which we accepted. With the money we had saved for renovations as a down payment, the monthly payments worked out to $705. Because the River Avenue property was zoned for industrial use, we needed to get the town's permission for our conditional use of it as a church building. It was a battle in prayer, but in December we received permission and prepared to make River Avenue our church's new address.
With our renovation fund used up, every family in the church began to have faith for their portion - two gallons of paint and two pieces of wall board. We all raised money to purchase enough chairs for each of our family members. Talk about owning the vision! Calgary's East Side City Church generously bought the carpet for our sanctuary, and church members donated money and additional carpeting.
It was also in 1984 that Douglas Mitchell moved to Cochrane and began attending New Life Christian Fellowship. The Lord was guiding and directing the life of this young man who was to walk beside Pastor Rob and, more than 20 years after coming to our church, would become our Senior Pastor.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
1985
 We were kept busy at the new property for nine months of renovations. This busy season  culminated in September with an exciting and festive building dedication. Because we wanted the spiritual house to be just as strong, our men's ministry, Men of Vision, began. 1986
Our leadership sensed the need for direction and confirmation of ministries within our church. We invited the prophetic team of pastors David Blomgren, Bob Peragallo and Keith Hazell to come in February and hold a Presbytery. By the year's end, Robert had instituted New Life Bible College, born of a vision he'd carried for some time. Also, Revival Christian Ministries was established by two of our earliest members (Bill and Shirley Mustard).
1987
Robert and Angela were invited to go to Jamaica and minister for ten days. We “kidnapped” them and subjected them to a fun evening of what the Caribbean might hold for them, complete with pirates who made them walk the plank blindfolded.
Our first original musical presentation, the cantata “For His Friends” was performed at Easter.
It was also in 1987 that we purchased the former Boothby land in West Valley. We started a “Gold for God” campaign and raised $65,000 that year to pay for the land services. Everyone participated with a huge show of enthusiasm. Even the kids got involved and collected stacks of bottles for their contribution. The town office informed us that no one had ever paid off their services in a single year. They had been prepared to let us pay for it over fifteen years, which would have cost us over $128,000. God's plan is always better!
  1988
We entered our first float in the Cochrane Labour Day Parade and received much positive feedback from the community. We felt it was an important step towards becoming well known in Cochrane.
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