FAMILY COMMUNITY CHURCH exists to lead the unsaved to Christ and bring Christians to maturity by preaching and teaching the uncompromised Word of God. We boldly and with excellence present Jesus Christ and demonstrate God's love to all people.

Further, we endeavor to equip every believer for ministry through dynamic training that is biblically based and relevant to life. The goal of this training is to develop disciples committed to building the church; and more importantly, to equip believers to take the gospel into their community and the world.

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Vision

Family Community Church's vision is to be an equipping Christ-centered church in North Fresno.

As led by the Holy Spirit of God, we will develop believers to spiritual maturity and equip them for their significant ministry of reaching the lost for Christ. We desire to develop an 18-Acre Christian campus, designed to minister to the spiritual, academic, emotional, physical and social needs of each person.

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History

On October 29, 1994, while serving in the capacity of Associate Minster at Saint’s Rest Baptist Church, God spoke to the heart of Rev. Chester McGensy and gave him a vision. Rev. McGensy first shared this revelation with his family and a month later, with his pastor and mentor, Rev. Chester Riggins, of Saint’s Rest Baptist Church. Rev. McGensy was further led by the Holy Spirit to hold a meeting in his home on December 8, 1994, with two other families: Lawrence & Jessie Mason and Bobby & Pam Lee. This marked the glorious beginning of Family Community Church, for at this meeting Family Community Church was officially organized. On January 8, 1995, Rev. McGensy was ordained by Rev. Riggins and a counsel of ordained ministers from the community.

The idea of a new church began to blossom as many families contacted Rev. McGensy requesting more information. The months of January and February were extremely busy as the small group prepared for its first worship service set for March 5, 1995. Advertisements appeared in The Fresno Bee and The California Advocate on February 4, 1995, and on orientation meeting was held on February 5th at Kastner Intermediate School with over sixty dedicated individuals attending to learn how they could be of service to the Lord at Family Community Church.

Leaders were appointed for the following ministries: Men’s Ministry, Dr. Fitzalbert Marius; Women’s Ministry, Jessie Mason; Family Ministry, Linda Simpson; Christian Education, Juanita Perry; Sunday School, Dorothy Marius; Children’s Nursery, Portia McGensy and Evelyn Jones; Audio, Michael Marius; Ushers and Greeters, Gloria and Greeters, Gloria (Jackson) Morris; and Coordinator of Facilities, Kenneth Brister. Under the leadership of Juanita Perry, Bible teachers were trained and Sunday School classes were established for all age groups. УAnd pray in the Spirit, on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)

From the beginning, prayer has been the guiding force at Family Community Church. On Wednesday, March 1, 1995, the initial praise and prayer service was held at Kastner Intermediate School. Fervent prayers went up...asking the Lord for His blessing on the first Sunday morning service, scheduled for March 5th. Those prayers were answered in a most dramatic way when over 300 worshipers attended our first morning worship service. Deacons and Officers were also installed during that initial morning worship service.

Rev. McGensy’s inaugural sermon was appropriately entitled, УStepping Out on Faith.Ф Over 75 people responded to the first invitation to become members of the new congregation. This was followed by our first baptismal service on May 21st, when 16 people made a public confession of their faith.


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