Formerly Known as West-side Christian Center…
Pastor Melvin D. Owens Sr. received his calling into the ministry December 17, 1991.
On June 22, 1992, founding Pastor, Melvin D. Owens Sr., started to host Bible class on Monday nights in his hair salon. The first bible class was weak in numbers but strong in faith, consisting of Pastor Melvin Sr., his wife, Mable, Lizzie Nelson, Arneal and Rodney Smith. After a year of classes, the Lord gave Pastor the vision to build a church. The church was to be built in the location that housed a barber and beauty supply store owned by Pastors Melvin and Mable Owens. Once the vision was revealed, it was suggested by the late Deacon Davis that the Bible class raise an offering at each meeting to go toward rehabbing the location for the church. The first offering was raised July 5, 1993, totaling $57.00. Pastors Owens then proceeded to liquidate their personal business and donate all the proceeds to the building fund for the church.
The late Minister Robert E. Owens of St. Louis, MO, blessed the church with both his time and its first organ. He along with Pastor Owens, Reverend Blueford, and the late Deacon Davis spent countless hours moving hair dryers, hanging drywall and constructing the blueprint given to Pastor Melvin Sr, by the Holy Spirit, for the church. It was during this time that the Lord revealed the name, “Westside Christian Center”, in the heart of Pastor Melvin Sr. The church rehab was completed on September 17, 1993. The church was dedicated to Christ and Pastor Melvin Sr. was ordained on September 26,1993. On October 3, 1993 the first church service began at 10:30am. The first church bulletin was designed by Solina Lamothe. In November 1993, the church purchased its first baptizing pool.
The Lord truly blessed Westside Christian Center Church; The ministry had a fully operational Sunday School Department for children, youth, and adults, M.D.I School of Ministry, Church Bookstore, Administrative Offices, additional property for additional parking, complete frontal rehab of the church exterior, and a fellowship hall. In addition, there were established outreach programs that fed the hungry during thanksgiving and Christmas, senior living outreach, abused and battered women’s shelter outreach, clothing and supply drives, concerts, cookouts, activities for the entire community, back to school programs, and counseling.
Today, our vision continues to expand and abound to the glory of God. The Lord has given us a vision to create an oasis of love, faith and hope where the entire man can be healthy and whole.
