New Life Church of Hershey is part of the Brethren in Christ family of churches. The Brethren in Christ Church began in the late 1700s near the present town of Marietta in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

While still a relatively small denomination, today Brethren in Christ churches can be found all across the United States, and in more than 23 countries around the world.

A unique aspect of the Brethren in Christ Church is the rich blend of theological traditions that make us who we are today. Specifically, our church is shaped by three emphases within the wider Christian community: Anabaptism, Pietism, and Wesleyanism.

Anabaptism stresses the importance of a personal decision to be baptized, the importance of discipleship and obedience, the necessity of Christian community, the separation of church and state, and the practice of non-resistance. Anabaptism shows itself most particularly in BIC emphases on the community of faith, serving compassionately, living simply, and pursuing peace.

Pietism stresses the importance of genuine conversion and a warm, personal experience of renewed life in Christ. For the Brethren in Christ, Christian faith is a relationship with God that is to be enjoyed with the heart, even as it is affirmed with the head.

Wesleyanism emphasizes conversion as a conscious acceptance of God, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and daily growth in holiness. The Brethren in Christ value the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, and we are unashamed in sharing the Good News of the Gospel with others.