From individual discipleship to our annual Block Party evangelism event, we are a church that truly believes in the saving power of Jesus Christ. It is our desire that everyone experience His wonderful, abundant love.
To win the lost and develop Christians who are committed in the areas of membership, worship, discipleship, stewardship, relationship and leadership while maintaining the unity of the Spirit.
We believe that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (II Timothy 3:16). We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired in that holy men of God “were moved by the Holy Spirit,” (II Peter 1:21) to write the very words of Scripture. We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts. We believe that the whole Bible in the originals is therefore without error. We believe that all the Scriptures center about the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work, in His first and second coming, and hence that no portion, even of the Old Testament, is properly read, or understood, until it leads to Him. We also believe that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction. (Luke 24:27,44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; I Corinthians 10:11; II Timothy 3:16)
We believe that man was created directly by and in the image of God. We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life, by direct act. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16,17)
We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin and the mason of the fall of man, and is destined to the judgement of an eternal punishment in the lake of fire. (Matthew 4:1-3; Acts 5:3; II Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10)
Although man was created in the image of God, he fell into sin and, is lost; this is true of all men, and except a man be born again by the Holy Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (Genesis 1:26, 27; John 3:3; Romans 3:10, 23)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe on Him are redeemed by His shed blood. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body, of our Lord Jesus Christ and in His ascension into heaven; He is our High Priest and Advocate. (John 1:1-3,14; 3:1-7,16; Hebrews 10:4-14, I John 2:2)
We believe that salvation is the gift of God’s grace. It cannot be gained or made more secure by meritorious works, but is freely bestowed upon all who put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary. All who so trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as lord and Savior, who by His own blood ordained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. (John 1:12; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8,9)
Until the return of Christ, it is the Christian’s duty and privilege to seek the fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world. We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation in the world. (Matthew 25:31-46; 28:18-20)
We believe in the one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Ruler of all things. He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God, as Father, reigns over His entire universe with providential care. He is all-powerful, all loving, all knowing, and all wise. He is fatherly in attitude toward all men but is Father, indeed, to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, Who will deliver them into the Father’s hands. (Genesis 1:1; I Chronicles 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10, Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14, 15; I Corinthians 8:6; I Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 4:6)
Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself the demands and necessities of human nature and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, partaking of the nature of God and of man, and in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord. Genesis 18:1.; Psalm 2:7 ff.; 110:1 ff.; Isaiah 7:14;53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; Romans 1:3-4; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; Revelation 1:13-16.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgement. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service. (Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Matthew 1:18; Mark 1:10; John 4:24; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Revelation 1:10.
We believe that we are called with a holy calling, to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and so to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. But the flesh is never eradicated in this life and the individual chooses to keep the flesh in subjection to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord. (Romans 6:11-13; 8:2,4,12,13; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 2:1-10; I Peter 1:14-16; I John 1:4-7; 3:5-9)
CHRISTIAN GIVING
We believe in the principle and practice of the Lord’s Tithe. The tithe is a biblical financial principle that should never be violated. It was practiced in the Old Testament (Genesis 14:20, Malachi 3:10) and confirmed by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:1-4). The tithe represents the first ten percent of all the increases of the believer and it is holy to the LORD. Returning the Lord’s Tithe teaches us to “always to put God first in your lives.” (Deuteronomy 14:23b TLB).
The Paradise Baptist Church had its beginning in February 1960. Rev. C. William Johnson was the Assistant Pastor at the First Baptist Parchester Church of Richmond, CA. when the Lord called him to begin a church in the Columbian Gardens Community of Oakland, CA. He, along with four volunteers, went door to door sharing Christ and expressing the vision God had placed in his heart. By the end of May 1960, sixteen people agreed that a place of worship was needed in the area. A meeting was called and the Paradise Baptist Church mission was organized. In August of the same year, Paradise was officially founded and established as the Paradise Baptist Church with Rev. C. William Johnson as Pastor.
In order to have a place of worship, Pastor Johnson used his Veterans Administration Certificate to purchase a home at 215 Sextus Road, which was converted into a small church. Worship services were held there until a house at 9670 Empire Road was purchased and the church moved to this location in November 1963.
By 1968 the membership had grown and a larger facility was needed. God blessed the members and friends to construct a church (formerly known as the PBC Educational Building) adjacent to the house in which they had been worshiping. This building became their new place of worship, but by 1970 even that building was too small. Again, with the help of many dedicated members and friends, the work of a new sanctuary began.
Faithful members, who were filled with an enthusiasm to build their own church, financed the building project. Many took second loans of trust on their own properties, borrowed up to 1,000 and gave it unconditionally. All the faithfulness and hard work paid off. On the third Sunday in August 1972, the new sanctuary was complete and the members marched in.
Pastor Johnson began telling the membership how God was going to use Paradise to make a difference not only in Columbian Gardens, but also Paradise would be the “salvation of Oakland!”
Over the next 10 years, with significant growth, Paradise was blessed tor have a full-time Pastor, administrative assistant, part-time personnel, maintenance personnel, and numerous volunteers.
In 1988 Pastor Johnson expanded the evangelism ministry and hired Rev. Leon McDaniels, Sr. as the full-time Evangelism Coordinator. The spark and enthusiasm found in Rev. McDaniels spread throughout the entire church body.
In addition to church growth, Pastor Johnson established Wistar Redemption and Recovery Program, which started as an 18-month residential substance abuse facility for men and has now been extended to women. This program helped to emphasize that Paradise would indeed be the light in its community and the “salvation of Oakland!”
On September 17, 1993 Pastor Johnson’s life here on Earth came to an end, leaving the Paradise family with heavy hearts. However, his works continued because one month later Rev. Leon McDaniels, Sr. was called as the new Pastor. Pastor McDaniels, being committed to the same principles as Pastor Johnson, resolved to make a significant difference not only in the Columbian Gardens Community, but also to all of Oakland.
Tremendous growth has transpired under Pastor McDaniels’ direction, especially in the areas of membership, worship, discipleship, stewardship, relationships, and leadership.
It became increasingly difficult to seat the large number of people God was adding to the church weekly. Pastor Mc Daniels realized a larger facility was sorely needed. After much laboring in prayer concerning a new church, he was led to build a structure that would more accurately reflect how great God is.
In 1996 God challenged the Paradise Baptist Church ministry to rebuild Him a “State-of-the-Art Worship Center.” He led us to the book of Nehemiah for the biblical instructions on how to accomplish this task. We enjoyed this great work for the Lord. We believed that if God could build a Tabernacle in the wilderness with Israel, surely God could build a church in the city of Oakland with Paradise.
By faith, the groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 17, 1997. As a result, Paradise began a multi-million dollar building project. Despite the few obstacles and increased costs in building this magnificent State-of-the-Art Worship Center, the membership, once again, stepped in by faith. They made significant contributions and personal sacrifices in their commitment to further the ministry.
The Lord has blessed this body of believers to complete the New Paradise Baptist Church Worship Center located at 9704 Empire Road in Oakland, CA. And, again in 2007, the Lord took us back to Nehemiah and challenged the PBC ministry to begin the second phase of the vision: to build a new Ministry Recreation and Business Center to meet the spiritual, social, educational, domestic, recreational and business needs of our community. After tireless months of building, we will complete the construction of the $4 million dollar, 13,500 square foot facility which features a full kitchen, snack bar, arcade, gym with men and women’s showers, bookstore, fellowship hall, conference room, youth room, classrooms, computer lab, and administrative offices.
Creating this space for the Lord to do His work would not be possible without a dedicated and skilled team working towards the same goal. Members of the Project Team include, Pastor Leon McDaniels, Deacon Christopher Robinson, Sis. Imani Haygood, Sis. Joanne Baker, Rev. Craig Gentry, Bro. Clarence Chambers, MWM Architects, Canyon Construction, Christian Community Credit Union, and a host of others. The Ministry Recreation and Business Center is designed to further expand the stewardship of the Paradise Baptist Church from its members to the surrounding community, and to nurture and develop the next generation of disciples. The Paradise Baptist Church is laying the ground work for supernatural church growth just as Jesus instructed His disciples in Luke 5:4-6.
In addition to constructing a new worship center and a Ministry, Recreation, and Business Center, PBC also completed the construction of a 2,100 sq. ft., single-family residence located at 225 Tunis Road, complete with a granite kitchen, hardwood floors, central air and heating. Construction was completed in December 2007, and the home currently serves as the office of Have Faith Mortgage, a ministry of the Paradise Baptist Church, which has closed more than $5 million in business since opening. Have Faith Mortgage is owned and operated by Joanne Baker, a licensed real estate agency, whose goal is to see that everyone who desires to be a homeowner can reach the “American Dream” of homeownership.
The Paradise Baptist Church family has come a long way since its humble beginning in 1960. Rev. C. William Johnson knew 50 years ago that Paradise would make a difference in the city of Oakland. This vision has come to fruition under the leadership of Pastor Leon McDaniels, Sr. with a congregation of more than 500 members and numerous ministries that reach out to the community. God took the spark that was evident in Rev. McDaniels as Evangelism Coordinator and transformed it into a flame as Pastor.
Giving has never been so simple. Just click the button below to input your donation amount and start giving today.
