HISTORY OF THE PASSAIC COUNTY CHRISTIAN CENTER

The history of the Passaic County Christian Center has its origin in the heart of God. We believe that the circumstances that gave way to the formation and establishment of our church are interesting enough as for us to document them and mention them here, as they can be a testimony as to how God, in His sovereignty, organizes all things in order to fulfill His purposes as indicated by Psalm 138:8.

In the latter part of 2002, Rev. Dr. Peter Ramos started to feel a burden for the planting of a church in the Paterson, NJ area.  Pastor Peter shared this burden with Pastor Noel Santiago, a long time personal friend as well as co-laborer in the Division of Youth & Family Services (DYFS) for the State of New Jersey. Pastor Noel was shepherding a growing and thriving church in the town of Woodbridge, NJ. 

Pastor Noel’s response was “Let’s pray and see what God says.”  Eight months went by and once again Dr. Ramos and Pastor Noel found themselves at the DYFS Bloomfield Office where Dr. Ramos worked. Once again, Dr. Ramos shared the growing vision and burden that had continued within him regarding the planting of a church in the Paterson area. Only this time, Dr. Ramos makes it clear to Pastor Noel that it is the timing of the Holy Spirit for such a project and that he (Pastor Noel) is the person that God is calling to Pastor such flock.

On Wednesday, September 10, 2003, a group of believers came together in a meeting with the purpose of seeking God’s face and evaluating the spiritual needs of the city of Paterson. Present at this first meeting were: Pastors Noel & Haydee Santiago, Dr. Peter Ramos, Juan & Marisol Morales, Jose & Maria Soto and Dennis Rolon. On this night was birthed the “Paterson Christian Center”.

On Sunday, September 14, 2003, we held our first service as the Paterson Christian Center. Service was held at 553 Main Street in Paterson, NJ, the offices of the Christian University. Shortly after that, the meeting hall of 553 Main Street was too small for the group that was gathering there so we had to look for another location.  We identified a room in the second floor of the Palacio Restaurant located at 710 Madison Avenue in Paterson, NJ.

On Sunday, March 28, 2005, we conducted our first service in the chapel of Trinity Methodist Church. We rented the Chapel for services as well as bible schools, social meetings, meetings and any other event.  It is here where the Lord takes the ministry to another level, allowing us to understand that His vision for us is more than the city of Paterson. For that reason, on May 2006, we officially changed the name of the ministry from “Paterson Christian Center” to “Passaic County Christian Center”. God’s vision for His house had been made clearer each and every day.

By mid 2006, we once again faced the task of seeking another house of worship.  The Lord provided for us to meet at the church located at 194 Burgess Place in the City of Passaic.

After 6 years of successful ministry, on August of 2009, Pastors Noel and Haydee Santiago informed the church that they would be leaving their posts as Senior Pastors.  Knowing that this move was for them to fulfill their prophetic destiny, we blessed them upon their departure and accepted the Pastoral leadership of Pastor Peter Ramos.

Today, the Passaic County Christian Center remains as a daughter church of the Christian Center Ministries, under the Apostolic covering of Rev. Dr. Noel Santiago.  We count it as a blessing to be a part of the Christian Center Ministries.  

Under the leadership of Pastor Peter, we have earmarked a 5-year plan to take PCCC to a new level of glory.  Believing God to fulfill his word over our house, we are actively seeking God's will and provision in purchasing and rehabilitating a property in the Riverside Section of Paterson.

The Passaic County Christian Center has seen the grace and favor of God. We have seen the spiritual and physical growth of the congregation. We have seen lives saved, souls restored and surely we have witnessed the growth of God’s Kingdom.

Today more than ever, we are motivated to continue what God has established. Every day, every week, every month and every year, we write a new page in the history of Passaic County Christian Center. It is our faith that Jesus Christ will continue to edify His church in His order and purpose just as He has promised.

**While we respect the various methods, models and formulas that many sister churches use to evangelize, at PCCC we have been lead by the Holy Spirit to use an array of ideas and instruments to reach the lost.  For that reason, PCCC is NOT a G-12 Church.