Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetric Norwood.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Raised in a single parent home, my brother and I were supposed to be statistics: projects, black, welfare, etc. However, my mother taught us two very important things: work hard and dream! She would often work 3 or 4 jobs to send us to summer camp where I’d get made fun of because I had holes in my socks. Towards the end of camp, I’d steal socks so I could have better ones. I’d look for the socks with the grey toes and heels because I thought those were reserved for the “rich” kids.
As I got older, I accepted Christ when I was 13 years old. Shortly after, at 15, I knew I was called to preach the Gospel, but I had no intent on doing so. After running as far away from what God was leading me to do, I thought I’d gotten away from Him. I actually thought I was the first in history to outrun God! Boy was I wrong!
After a collegiate and an Arena football career, I met my soon to be wife and we got married when I was 28. I had a great job as a pharmaceutical sales rep in Louisville, KY, a company car and company expense account. At age 30, I had my first son, Nathan Norwood. At 32, I had my second son, Noah Norwood. All was great until I lost my job on a Wednesday afternoon. Everything was gone except the bills.
Thursday morning, while afraid of heights, I found myself on a roof learning the roofing business. Remember when I said I was taught to work hard and dream? I was determined to provide my kids with every opportunity I didn’t have when I was young. After working for the company for about nine months, a storm hit Louisville and I had a crew put a roof on my home. I didn’t know the guy I worked for made so much money! My neighbor saw the job was good and wanted “my” crew to put a roof on his house. Before you know it, in two week’s time, we’d roofed 20 houses and had a company. After growing our business, we moved back home in 2010 and launched the Fort Worth office. Since then, we’ve become a very successful company and have been able to bless our community one roof at a time!
Throughout this time, we were serving in my father in law’s church in Fort Worth. Keeping the balance of fatherhood, husband, work and church grew difficult for my wife and I. Before we knew it, 9.5 years of frustration, unmet expectations and poor communication all collided on one night. All the fake smiles in church and the “I’m blessed” curtains all came falling down for everyone to see. My wife and I separated. In one night, my wife was gone, my kids were gone and I lost all hope. Over the next ten months, she’d filed for divorce, I’d started seeing someone else and the marriage group we were attending seemed to be of no help at all. Finally, while alone in an empty house, I had a real talk with God. I finally surrendered to Him and sought His forgiveness for al of the pride, the facade and the misrepresentation I was for Him. Little did I know, my wife had her own “come to Jesus” conversation too. God had recaptured our hearts independently and within two weeks, we were reunited and back under the same roof. Our communication was amazing, we laughed again, our kids were happy to see their parents back together again and more than anything, we were on the same team: Team Norwood!
In 2016, I found myself in a round room without a corner to hide in. It was then when I answered that call to become a Pastor. After an extremely rocky relationship with my father in law, we too were becoming the best of friends. On February 9th, 2020, my father and mother in law, our Founding Pastors, handed the church over to my wife and I. What a turnaround! Unfortunately, one week after our transition, my father in law, Don Couch, also transitioned. He went to be with the Lord. The values and passion for Christ and His people are what we are building the future of our church on! Our vision is to Reach, Build and Invest in the lives of our communities by providing a way of escape through New Beginnings International Church!
After only a few months, we’ve been able to impact lives all over the nation all because of one scripture my father in law constantly taught: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit says the Lord” Zachariah 4:6.
Because of what my mother taught us growing up, I now have the dream marriage and dream family. I’m working on fulfilling God’s dream in our church and company!
God has blessed our family, business and church tremendously. However, it only came full circle AFTER we surrendered our hearts and not just our minds to Him! Joshua 24:15
Our church can be found at www.nbicfw.com and on Facebook at New Beginnings International Church. Our marriage ministry, ReFresh Marriage Ministries, can be found on Facebook also simply by typing the name!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Job loss. Food stamps while in KY after promising myself I’d NEVER be on welfare again, We grew up that way. Discord between my wife and I for many years. Discord between my in laws and I. Separation. Divorce papers served. Loss of my boys. Embarrassment in church, with friends and family.
Please tell us about New Beginnings International Church/Norwood Contracting.
We specialize in commercial and residential roofing. I’m most proud of the fact that I’m able to use our company to fulfill the same vision for our church: the Reach, Build and Invest in our community!
I think what separates us from the rest is the simple fact that God has given us a testimony that enables people to relate to my story and see the opportunity that only God has provided. Roofing isn’t rocket science; you take the roof off and put another one on. However, we not only offer a new roof, we offer Christ along with that roof to anyone who’ll make room for Him.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start over, I’d be more humble and not let success or money go to my head! the Bible says that pride comes before the fall. Well, I fell because of pride! The Bible is still and will always be 100% accurate!
Contact Info:
- Address: New Beginnings International Church
2000 E Loop 820
Fort Worth, TX 76112 - Website: www.nbicfw.com
- Phone: 817-492-8540
- Email: dnorwood@nbicfw.com
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