About
Our Legacy
On November 7, 1999, Pastor and Co-Founder Derek L. Calhoun and his wife Lady Sharron heard the call of God and, with a core group of 14 people, began New Vision International Ministries under the covering and spiritual direction of Co-Founder Bishop Vaughn M. McLaughlin. New Vision is a non-denominational Christian fellowship birthed out of the heart of God.
Founders & Leaders
Bishop Derek & Lady Sharron Calhoun
Co-Founders
Bishop Vaughn & Lady Narlene McLaughlin
Co-Founders
Pastor Dexter & Pastor Lindsey Upshaw
Current Pastors
The History of New Vision
On November 7, 1999, Pastor and Co-Founder Derek L. Calhoun and his wife Lady Sharron heard the call of God and, with a core group of 14 people, began New Vision International Ministries under the covering and spiritual direction of Co-Founder Bishop Vaughn M. McLaughlin. New Vision is a non-denominational Christian fellowship birthed out of the heart of God.
New Vision is a growing, Spirit-filled, Spirit-driven fellowship, patterned after the biblical New Testament Church model. This ministry is called to mend broken vessels and perfect the body of Christ through Evangelism, Discipleship, Fellowship and Stewardship.
In the beginning, New Vision “tabernacled” in Norwalk, CT for three years, and on November 8, 2002 acquired 130 Gregory Street in Bridgeport, CT. This property was 15,600 SF sitting on 1.27 acres. We dwelled at 130 Gregory Street for 16 years.
In October 2015, Dexter B. Upshaw Jr. was appointed as the lead pastor of New Vision with the task of continuing the legacy and engineering what was pioneered. Pastor Dexter currently serves as the Senior Pastor of New Vision, with the strategic support of his wife Pastor Lindsey.
Under their leadership, New Vision purchased 35 Benham Avenue, a 60,000 square foot mixed-use property in January of 2019. After six years of faithful stewardship, NVIM relocated to 1010 Atlantic Street in September of 2025, utilizing 46,000 square feet for ministry purposes. New Vision is not just a house of worship; it is an urban hub for economic and community development. Through a variety of youth initiatives, job training programs and referral services, we are on the frontlines of community transformation.
History Timeline
- 1
November 7, 1999
New Vision was founded by Pastor Derek L. Calhoun and Lady Sharron Calhoun with 14 people. Co-founded with the covering of Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin and Lady Narlene McLaughlin.
- 2
November 8, 2002
New Vision acquired 130 Gregory Street, a 16,000 square foot building in the South End of Bridgeport.
- 3
November 4, 2012
Bishop Derek L. Calhoun was ordained a bishop in the Lord’s Church as the titular or vicar to Bishop Vaughn M. McLaughlin, Presiding Prelate to Covenant Fellowship International.
- 4
June 8, 2014
Changed our mission statement to “Love God, Love People, Do the Work of the Kingdom.”
- 5
October 16, 2015
Bishop Derek L. Calhoun was promoted to Overseer and transitioned to Jacksonville, Florida. Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr. was appointed as Lead Pastor of New Vision.
- 6
February 15, 2018
Pastor Dexter received a call from a commercial real estate agent about the availability of 35 Benham Avenue, a 60,000 square foot property on the West Side of Bridgeport.
- 7
March 8, 2018
Bishop Derek L. Calhoun and Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin traveled from Jacksonville, Florida to see 35 Benham Avenue for the first time. That night they met with general leadership and approved the pursuit of the property.
- 8
April 22, 2018
Pastor Dexter was anointed and elevated to Senior Pastor by Bishop Calhoun during a Sunday morning service.
- 9
January 4, 2019
New Vision sold 130 Gregory Street to Free Methodist Church, a Portuguese speaking congregation.
- 10
January 15, 2019
New Vision acquired 35 Benham Avenue.
- 11
January 28, 2019
New Vision obtained Zoning Approval from the City of Bridgeport.
- 12
March 10, 2019
New Vision had its final service at 130 Gregory Street.
- 13
March 17, 2019
New Vision had its first mobile service at Curiale School.
- 14
September 8, 2019
New Vision had its first service at 35 Benham Avenue.
- 15
November 11, 2023
Pastors Dexter and Lindsey were publicly and formally affirmed for their senior leadership of New Vision.
- 16
September 7, 2025
New Vision held its first service at 1010 Atlantic Street.
- 17
November 7, 2025
The Institute of Applied Ministry graduated its inaugural class of 25 students.
Our Mission
“Our mission is to reach and teach all people for Jesus Christ, to share in His love and grow in His Word.”
Pillar 1
Evangelism
Pillar 2
Discipleship
Pillar 3
Fellowship
Pillar 4
Stewardship
Vision Statement
Love God. Love People. Do the Work of the Kingdom.
New Vision has a global vision to advance the Kingdom of God, equipping and ministering to the needs of the whole person — mind, body and spirit — in order to draw all people into a right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.