In 1972, a local fellowship of churches began with five pastors. It remained that way for several years, but finally it began to grow. However, it was just a "fellowship." After a season of meeting in this format, Pastor Rod Aguillard of Reserve Christian Church, was elected to moderate the group, known as Gulf States Pastors Fellowship (G.S.P.F.).
In 1978, Ministers Training Institute was formed by Jim Clark, and operated from New Roads Church where he was pastor. M.T.I. was subsequently moved to Baton Rouge in 1987.
On a cold rainy night in 1982, Ed Bledsoe (then pastor of Faith Tabernacle in Gonzales), Rod Aguillard (Pastor of Reserve Christian Church), Eddie Pousson (missionary and minister from Bethany World Prayer Center), and Jim Clark, met at New Roads to formulate a mission's vision for the Gulf States Pastors Fellowship and Gulf States Missions Agency (G.S.M.A.) was birthed! That same night, M.T.I. was established as the training arm for all missionary and ministry candidates for the G.S.P.F. and G.S.M.A.
In 1985, we saw our churches come together to fight against abortion, making a strong stand for the sanctity of life. This brought forth the beginning of "United for Life". Our stand for the unborn has become an integral part of who we are at NRP.
In 1994, we began to recognize the nature of apostolic work and thus formed "Apostolic Teams" to give oversight to the growing network of churches.
In 2000, as our influence had spread to a much wider area than just the Gulf States, and as we began to comprehend the scope of the vision the Lord had given to us, it was decided that our name change from "Gulf States Pastors Fellowship" to "International Network of Local Churches."
In 2007, we continue as such, a Network of Related Pastors providing fathering relationships to local pastors, facilitating vision for the local harvest and church growth, and networking in our mission’s vision to reach the world for Jesus!
