Pastor Vaughn
Dr. Vaughn founded New Life Christian Academy (NLCA) in 1987, which is a premier, fully accredited private Christian academy (K-12), as well as the New Life Leadership Institute, a continuing education program for adults. Dr. Vaughn is the chairman and CEO of the International Community Development Corporation (ICDC). Since 2002, this organization has played a fundamental role in developing city plans to invigorate sectors of San Antonio. The mission of this corporation is to develop the community through a holistic approach of empowerment and revitalization by linking and leveraging local, national, and international resources. The services provided by this organization benefit the community in the areas of education, community development, and family and social programs such as: The New Beginnings Program – a faith-based life skills mentoring course, and The San Antonio 9-11 Memorial & Educational Initiative – A San Antonio Homeland security education site. In 1997, he instituted The New Life Christian Center Toy Give Away an annual toy giveaway uniting with local businesses to give thousands of toys to inner city children each Christmas.
In 2003, Dr. Vaughn was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to serve on the Board of Directors of the inaugural OneStar Foundation. The foundation operates as part of the Corporation for National and Community Service and is dedicated to promoting statewide volunteerism. During his tenure on this board, Dr. Vaughn was instrumental in establishing the first State of Texas Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives.
In 2004, Dr. Vaughn was asked to serve as part of the Bexar County Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Taskforce. This experience inspired him to build New Beginnings Children’s Home at Canaan Land Ranch. The home will open in 2010 and will be a place of love, hope, and restoration for abused children and their families.
As a retired Career Air Force Officer who trained officers and conducted top-secret missions in the Middle East, Dr. Vaughn received his call to pastor while in Egypt. Under the direction of Dr. Vaughn, New Life is a unique blend of cultures with Davidic worship, Torah studies and the celebration of Jewish Feasts. Dr. Vaughn and New Life’s love for Israel is unmistakable by its many pilgrimages to this Holy Land, and the Jewish influences concerning the New Life campus layout.
God commissioned Dr. Vaughn to create a little piece of Israel in San Antonio. The result is the Galilee Prayer Garden. The garden is a beautiful reminder of our beloved Israel with an outdoor sanctuary with seating in the form of a menorah, a lake in the shape of the Galilee, stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, a 6 foot menorah, and a replica of the Western Wall. The stones used to build the wall were taken from the same quarry in Israel where the stones were taken to build Solomon’s temple.
As a strong catalyst for Christians returning to their Hebraic roots of their faith, Dr. Vaughn has produced of two major conferences – Celebrate Israel and Days of Elijah Conference. These powerful conferences have been built to encourage both church leadership and individuals to return, embrace and celebrate the Hebraic Heritage of the Christian Faith. Dr. Vaughn, not ashamed of his commission from GOD concerning Israel, has been quoted that “The next great move of GOD will be to have Christians returning to their Hebraic roots.”
Dr. Vaughn has been an advocate for the people, land and Nation of Israel for decades, and has led numerous tours to the Holy Land. In 2006, he was appointed by Pastor John Hagee to serve as the City of San Antonio Director for Christians United for Israel (CUFI). The purpose of Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church; parachurch organization, ministry, or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel in matters related to Biblical issues. Pastor Vaughn also serves with Dr. Myles Munroe on the Advisory Board of the International Third World Leaders Association's (ITWLA), and with Malcolm Hedding on the Advisory Board of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ). In 2006, he also became an advisory board member of the San Antonio Association of Churches.
Dr. Vaughn has degrees in Business Administration and Personnel Management as well as several degrees in Theology, including a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate in Ministry. He is also a certified marriage and family therapist.