Where did we come from and where are we going
Chester Christian Center was founded as a result of the leading of the Holy Spirit for a work in Chesterland, Ohio. Pastor Stefan Sawczak and his wife "Muff" worked with the congregations from the Northeast Section of the Ohio District Counsil of the Assembly of God. They established the charter for the church and held it's first worship services on September 13, 1987. The first service was held at the Town Hall in Chesterland with a core group of nine believers. From the Town Hall, the small group moved to a room in the Trueline Industries building. In 1992, the church broke ground to build our sanctuary on a combination of donated and purchased land in the Chesterland Township area. Now the facility stands with a main sanctuary, outdoor recreation center, sand volleyball courts and storage buildings which are completely debt free. The congregation has grown from the original 9 starting members to an average of between 140 and 150 worshipers present for Sunday morning worship. With the addition of ministry to our "Senior Saints", parents, youth and children, the congregation has broadened it's impact to the local community in very positive ways. Discipleship classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening are tailored to meet people where they are - whether that's young children, new believers, teens, college students, parents, grandparents or prayer warriors. Our focus on missions, both locally and around the world, has developed a unique perspective, encouraging us to participate in the spread of the gospel to a hurting world. We are proud of our Pentecostal roots. From our humble beginnings in a warehouse in Los Angeles, California with the "Azusa Street" service and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the early 1900's to the present day work in the lives of the members of our Congregation, we look for and expect the supernatural work of God's Spirit. Since that time, Christians in America have been praying for and receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Assemblies of God was founded in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1914 when pentecostal believers from all over the world gathered to discuss the recent out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in many congregations. Through judgment and ridicule, blessings and miracles, the Pentecostal Church has worked to remain true to the New Testament church found in the Book of Acts. We carry that tradition today in our worship services.
It is not uncommon to hear worshipers speak in tongues or worship in the Spirit during a service. We pray for the dynamic and supernatural intervention of God through the power of the Holy Spirit on behalf of those who need direction, help and healing. We believe the Word of God is an integral and active part of our lives and offers us full truth, without exception. We believe that Christ will return for His church and that it is our duty to worship, serve and disciple the body of believers around the world until that day. We believe we have a God-given mandate to teach and lead others who do not know Christ as their personal Saviour.
We join with fellow believers from other congregations to encourage personal growth and discipline, right living and commitment to the Biblical principles in God's Holy Word. And we pray that our actions as a congregation represent our commitment to God the Father, Jesus, His only Son and the Holy Spirit, our ever present help in time of need.
If you would like to know more about the rich history of the Assemblies of God, both in the US and around the world, we would encourage you to visit www.ag.org .