HOW WE STARTED
The Parkside Area Christian Church, aka The PACC, was established in May of 2014 in the Parkside Community of Centreville, Illinois (Cahokia Heights, Illinois as of 2021). With the support of her husband, Hon. Walter Brandon, (Ret.), the blessing and council of her Pastor, Rev. Gary Gaston, (St. Paul Baptist Church, East St. Louis, Illinois), and most importantly, under the guidance and provision of the Holy Spirit, Rev. Anita Brandon humbly planted this ministry, and has served as Pastor since its inception. The church was incorporated by its Board of Directors, who prayerfully agreed to manage the legal and business aspects of the planting and administration of this church. These faithful volunteers were Anita Brandon, Walter Brandon, Darryl Bennett and Rozitta Bennett. Worship services began on Saturday, May 3, 2014 in the Parkside Neighborhood House, at 711 Ames Drive. Leah (Brandon) Akannam was the first member of The PACC.
In the beginning, The PACC utilized the Parkside Neighborhood House and other area sites to hold Sunday worship services and other church activities. In December of 2015, the church purchased the property and land at 481 North 73rd Street. In 2020, The PACC purchased the adjacent property at 477 North 73rd Street, to expand the community service efforts of the church.
While still in renovation mode, the church faithfully serves the Lord and the community. In addition to regularly scheduled services and activities, the church extends the use of its buildings and grounds to the Parkside community to be used for community efforts, to the extent of our resources. Additionally, The PACC welcomes community partnerships which secures a platform for the church to serve as a positive force in the community for years to come.
WHAT WE BELIEVE - OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
The PACC has adopted "The Apostle's Creed" as our Statement of Faith.
THE APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God, the father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
WHY WE EXIST AS A CHURCH
The PACC is a Bible-based, Christian church that was established to impact the world with the immutable living Word of God, and to empower believers to serve God and humanity through the impartation and application of Christian principles for all aspects of life. In order to accomplish these works, The PACC acknowledges and engages the essential presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, as well as in every endeavors of the church.
The Biblical foundation for The PACC is:
The Great Commandments of Jesus Christ: (St. Matthew 22:37-39)
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
The Great Commission of Jesus Christ: (St. Matthew 28:18-20)
And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We believe that the great commandments and the great commission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, are foundational for His Church, and therefore, The PACC is guided by these Holy Scriptures, from which we identify the five purposes of the Church, which are also the five purposes for the lives of believers: Evangelism, Education, Unity, Worship and Service.
The PACC is reaching and teaching by Kingdom authority, unified worshipers serving in love.