Documents
Background
Peniel Praise Community Church (PPCC) was established on July 24, 1994 at 760 Cooper Avenue, Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It had a starting membership of 91 individuals. PPCC is of the Church of God denomination with general headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, State Offices in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and District Offices in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Founding and Senior Pastors are Bishop Harold and Rev. Marion Spellman. Pastor Henry M. Davis serves as the Assistant Pastor.
Peniel Praise Community Church came into existence when Pastors Harold and Marion Spellman witnessed a consistent, growing interest in the church services being held for Peniel Rehabilitation Center staff and also from those in the local community. The Spellmans, after much prayer, counsel and consultation with Rev. Danny May, who was at that time the Administrative Bishop of the Church of God in Pennsylvania, concluded that the establishment of a local church was necessary.
The mission of Peniel Praise Community Church is simple: To Fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The first goal is to reach the lost and to bring hope to those who need salvation. Bishop Spellman also believes in the “Priesthood of Every Believer.” He declares, “The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging every member to find a place of service and ministry. As stewards, we are to effectively manage our relationships with God, Self, Resources, Family and Community.” The church’s desire is that the Peniel Praise Community will continue to evolve into one of the most anointed, dynamic and effective churches not only in this area, but throughout the country.
Bishop Spellman declares, “Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following practices: Consistent Church Attendance, Daily Personal Devotions, Tithing, Fellowship, and Witnessing.”
The Peniel Praise Community Church structure consists of twelve ministry teams: Prayer & Fasting, Education, Music, Stewardship, Cell Groups, Men, Ladies, Singles, Married, Youth, Children, and Outreach.
Our Ministries
Ministry of Prayer and Fasting
Assignment: To pray and fast that God’s Kingdom would come and His will would be done at Peniel and in all the world. (Matthew 6:10)
Ministry of Education
Assignment: To teach each church member how to become an Ambassador for Christ. (Matthew 28:20; II Cor. 5:20)
Ministry of Music
Assignment: To bring the sacrifice of thanksgiving, praise, and worship into the House of God. (I Chronicles 6:31, 32; Psalms 33:3; Hebrews 13:15)
Ministry of Outreach
Assignment: To go make disciples of all nations, baptize and teach them about Christ. (Matthew 28:19)
Ministry of Stewardship
Assignment: To effectively manage the House of God. (I Corinthians 4:2)
Ministry to Small Groups
Assignment: To encourage and help individuals develop relationships and discover their place in the Body. (Acts 2:46)
Ministry to Married Couples
Assignment: To teach married couples how to submit to one another. (Ephesians 5:21)
Ministry to Singles
Assignment: To teach singles how to discover their wholeness by submitting themselves to God. (James 4:7)
Ministry to Men
Assignment: To teach each man how to become a spiritually mature husband, father, son and brother. (Matthew 5:41)
Ministry to Women
Assignment: To teach each woman how to become a spiritually mature wife, mother, daughter and sister. (I timothy 2:9, 10; 3:11)
Ministry to Youth
Assignment: To Yield Our yoUth Toward Holiness. (Psalms 127:4)
Ministry to Children
Assignment: To save our children’s souls by teaching our toddlers salvation. (Matthew 19:14)
Seven Pillars of PPCC
OUR MISSION
is to fulfill the great Commandment and the great Commission.
our assignment
is to preach healing and share foundational Biblical Principles which are specifically designed to govern a personal relationship with a living and true God, one’s self, available resources, as well as family and within the community.
our purpose
is to worship God, to minister to people, to fellowship with the Body of Christ, to evangelize the world and to disciple those who would be saved.
our philosphy
is when Christians consistently worship God and fellowship with each other, they will develop healthy relationships. Godly relationships produce positive relationships. Christian relationships create an environment for productive service.
our CORE VALUEs
are Pentecostal worship, nurturing believers and global evangelism.
our VISION
is to help each individual discover who he really is in Christ, to accept his assignment regarding what he is to do for the cause of Christ and submit to the plan where he is sent to serve.
our goal
is to help each individual discover who he really is in Christ, accept his assignment, and submit to the place where he/she is sent to serve.
What we believe . . .
We believe the whole Bible to be completely and equally inspired and that it is the written Word of God. The Church has adopted the following Declaration of Faith as its standard and official expression of its doctrine:
01In the verbal inspiration of the Bible.
02In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
03That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
04That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
05That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
06In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.
07Holiness to be God's standard of living for His people.
08In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.
09In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
10In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
11Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.
12In the Lord's Supper and washing of the saints' feet.
13In the pre-millennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
14In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.