New Horizon Church International in Jackson, Mississippi, was founded in 1987 by Bishop Ronnie C. Crudup, Sr., who was instructed by the Holy Spirit to “go establish a church that would be on a new horizon.”
The congregation started with 56 charter members and met in a variety of rented facilities.
In 2003, the congregation voted to become affiliated with The Fellowship of International Churches (FOIC).
The FOIC is made up of formerly independent churches who have joined together to fellowship, support each other, and accomplish a greater work of Christ.
The FOIC emphasizes consecrated living, a strong commitment to the Bible as the Word of God, supernatural operations, and missions outreach to the world.
In 2009, the congregation purchased and moved into its present location on Ellis Avenue. The church bought the 110,000-square-foot building next to it that was previously a Sam’s Club Warehouse in 2015.
New Horizon Ministries, Inc. took over the property in 2022, and Ronnie Crudup, Jr. has fundraised the majority of the funds for the facility.
This building has since been transformed into a community sportsplex called The ARK. The facility includes four full basketball courts (soon to be five!), a boxing area, table tennis and more.
The mission of The ARK is to provide a safe space that nurtures and fosters personal development, community, and growth for the citizens of Jackson through creative arts, sports, fitness, education and other programming.
The vision is to provide leadership that results in area restoration and transformation by investing in the people and communities of Jackson and surrounding areas. That investment is facilitated by providing participants with the programming, resources, exposure, and information needed to become the best versions of themselves, while contributing positively to the community around them.
Built on values of faith, family, community, growth, impact and vision, The ARK utilizes a community model with designated community areas of programming structured to positively impact its participants.
The ARK is and will be “A Place Where Everything is Community and Community is Everything,” as well as “A Place Where There is Something for Everyone.”
“They can come in and have a great time. The kids know when you come here to The Ark, it’s a safe place where you can enjoy yourself,” said Ronnie Crudup, Jr.
SNA Sports Group has provided eight portable basketball goals for The ARK since its opening.
For over 35 years, SNA Sports Group has been a manufacturer and distributor of gymnasium equipment. They specialize in portable basketball goals, light-weight volleyball net systems, graphic wall padding, net systems for badminton, tennis, pickleball and more, www.SNAsportsgroup.com
