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MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE
The San Francisco Christian Center is a fellowship of Spirit-filled believers committed to Christ-honoring worship, Bible-centered instruction, world evangelism and local community service.
The purpose of SFCC is to glorify God.

The means through which we seek to glorify God are:

  • Communicating the truth of God's Word through public proclamation;
  • Discipling believers by encouraging them to study the scriptures, devote time to prayer and fellowship with other believers, and emulate the life and character of Jesus Christ;
  • Educating men and women in the discovery and use their spiritual gifts for ministry in the Kingdom of God;
  • Evangelizing and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ locally and abroad;
  • Providing a holistic ministry to all by seeking to meet physical, social, mental and spiritual needs.

HISTORY OF SAN FRANCISCO CHRISTIAN CENTER

It was March 1953, and although the city was experiencing a spiritual drought, there was a stirring in the hearts of God's people. People were spiritually hungry and thirsty, and so prayed for revival. Only the Bread of Life, and Streams of Living Water could satisfy the hunger and quench the thirst of those hungry for God and His righteousness.

In this city was the Texas preacher, Rev. William Keller, who had no degree in theology but pastored a small Pentecostal Church of God on Third Street with fewer than one hundred and twenty five members. Rev. Keller was convinced that God desired to bring a revival to this city and so joined with ministers from other cities to seek the Lord. The church, New Testament Temple, moved from Third St. to 1234 Valencia St. and began revival services.

The response of the people was amazing; within weeks the building could no longer hold the congregation. Services were moved to the former Del Mar Theatre located at 5825 Mission St. where the people continued in prayer. In the fall of 1953, for economic reasons, the New Testament Temple moved to the former Lyceum Theatre at 3350 Mission St.

In the spring of 1954, Evangelist Rev. Howell R. Bagwell came to New Testament Temple to continue revival services. He was a man of prayer and keen in the gifts of the Spirit. Rev. Bagwell and his wife, Ortrella, assumed the pastorate of New Testament Temple following the resignation of Rev. Keller. The name changed to San Francisco Revival Center, and incorporated with the California Secretary of State. Eighty-eight members were then officially received into the church.

Pastor Bagwell had a long-term vision for the church and instituted plans to purchase a building. In January 1955, the former temporary location at 5825 Mission St. became the permanent home for San Francisco Revival Center. During the next several years, growth was phenomenal. The Word of God was preached and taught with power. The church was edified through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

In 1957, God laid His hand on a young woman who was tired of living in sin. She left her crowd and committed her life to the Lord Jesus Christ. This had an impact on her friends, one of whom was saved after accompanying her to church. That friend is today the First Lady of our Church, Betty Green. Through prayer and intercession for her husband, Donald Green came to church and was saved.

In July 1962, Pastor Bagwell resigned, thus creating a time of transition. Although some either moved to other cities or fellowshipped with other churches, God was not finished with Revival Center. The Rev. E. J. Robinson became the interim pastor until March 1963. Rev. Jerry De La Vega assumed the pastorate and led the congregation for three years. God was faithful and in the face of financial obligations, and fewer members, God met every need.

Rev. De La Vega resigned in February of 1966 for another field of ministry. God already knew what He would do, and whom He would use. Donald Green, now transformed by the Holy Spirit, had been raised up, and as Joshua had been the companion of Moses, so Donald was the companion of Rev. De La Vega. Donald's zeal for God, love for people, and his desire to share his faith was immediately apparent. He studied the Word of God, displayed a teachable spirit, and grew rapidly in the experiential knowledge of the Lord.

Donald became a witness for Jesus Christ, sharing with friends and acquaintances the wonderful change he had experienced. He became a "street preacher" in the Western Addition and on Market Street in downtown San Francisco. He also became a Sunday School teacher and Youth Leader, and in 1964 was ordained and accepted the position of Assistant Pastor of San Francisco Revival Center.

In 1966, Rev. Donald E. Green assumed the position of Senior Pastorate of San Francisco Revival Center and has continued in this position for over thirty-five years. Without question, God had ordained this change in leadership. The church was again consecrated to the Lord, and to prayer and fasting, thus began to show signs of growth again. The Lord gave Pastor Green a vision and a plan to reorganize the structure and services of the church. He instituted changes that would build and strengthen children as well as adults, families, and new believers in the faith. In 1972, after much prayer and deliberation, the name of the church was changed to San Francisco Christian Center. Pastor Green, a man with the heart of a true shepherd, has maintained a consistent vision to win souls, and to build believers in Christ. [ top ]

WE BELIEVE

San Francisco Christian Center is an evangelical Bible-centered, Bible-teaching church. We are an interracial fellowship that welcomes people of every nationality.

We believe:

  • The Bible is the inspired Word of God, authoritative, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
  • There is one God, infinite in glory, wisdom, holiness, justice, power and love, eternally existent in three persons---Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • In the deity of Jesus Christ, Second person of the Godhead. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; lived a sinless life; performed miracles; through His atoning death, paid for the sins for the sins of the world; in His bodily resurrection; ascension to the right hand of the Father; and His future personal return in power and glory.
  • In the Holy Spirit, third person of the Godhead. He eternally proceeds from the Father; convicts of sin; applies salvation; guides and comforts the believer; directs and empowers the Church in fulfillment of the great commission; and enables them to live a godly life.
  • In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost---the saved to the resurrection of life, and the lost to the resurrection of damnation.
  • In the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Believers are to be sanctified in habits, moral in character and godly in behavior. [ top ]