After studying at Word of Life Bible Institute, George Lawson was called to be the pastor of a small community church in Brownington Center. Ministry to youth became an emphasis that persists to this day. Over the next ten years, God blessed Brownington Center Church with remarkable growth.

Perceiving the need for a biblical counseling ministry suited for local women, Hearts of Change became a ministry of Brownington Center Church. The residential home for women is based in Barton, Vermont and provides guidance and answers from the Word of God that can lead to changed hearts and changed lives.

After years of extensive cooperation between the church and the camp, Brownington Center and River of Life agreed to a merger that led to the formation of New Hope Bible Church and Ministries. A building project began soon thereafter in order to better serve both the church and the camp.

In order to better serve the growing ministries of New Hope Bible Church and River of Life Camp, a building was constructed on the River of life property (adopting plans drawn up years before). The new multipurpose building was completed with help from Men on Mission (a ministry out of Georgia) who dedicated a week of their time to its construction.