Our Vision
We will create atmospheres where people are eager and willing to serve this present age in our works. We will lead by example in our local and foreign communities or wherever the Lord commissions us.
Our Mission
To build, empower and equip leaders that will share in the responsibility of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ outside of four walls of the local assemble in order to positively impact the Kingdom
Our Vision
We will create atmospheres where people are eager and willing to serve this present age in our works. We will lead by example in our local and foreign communities or wherever the Lord commissions us. We will partner with the men and women of God that seek to further their call/work as we are guided by the Holy Spirit.
Our Mission
To build, empower and equip leaders that will share in the responsibility of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ outside of four walls of the local assemble in order to positively impact the Kingdom
Rev. Paul Vastor Johnson Jr.
1955-1987
In July 1955, a few people met to discuss the community’s need for a greater religious privilege in soul-saving and kingdom building. On August 3, 1955, the first prayer meeting was held in the home of Deacon James Clinkscales, 23 Bayview Ave., Inwood, N.Y. and eleven people attended. After this initial meeting, services continued weekly in the home of Mr. Silar Lomax, and led by Sis. Minervia Bailey. Rev. Thomas F. Owens, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Far Rockaway, N.Y. wholeheartedly assisted this small mission and assigned Deacon Marion Steven for spiritual guidance.
On August 24, 1955, Community Baptist Church mission sent out a call to Rev. Paul Vastor Johnson, Jr., to be the Spiritual Leader and Pastor. The first service of this newly formed church was held on September 4, 1955, and one candidate, Bro. Joseph Mercer, united through Baptism. The following officers were elected: Bro. James Clinkscales, Chairman – Board of Deacons, Sis. Julia Pruitt – Superintendent, Sis. Elizabeth Newman – President – Mission Society, and Sis. Helen Mercer, Clerk.
On Sunday, October 12, 1955, Rev. H.T. Batton, Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Jamaica, N.Y. organized this Mission to a Missionary Baptist Church. Weekly prayer services were then held at the home of Sis. Bessie Lynch. In December 1955, the Church was incorporated. Bro. William Scott was president of the Board of Trustees. First Baptist Church, Far Rockaway was instrumental in this phase of the work. Mr. Scott worked on the by-laws and gave aid to the church’s first building fund rally.
On July 2, 1957, Community became a member of the Eastern Baptist Association and Dr. James Moore and Rev. U.B. Whitfield presided over this council. In October 1957, the church became a member of the Empire Missionary Association and the American Baptist Convention. The church also held membership with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. On September 20, 1960, 167-04 108th Ave. was selected and secured as the present worship site. On July 11, 1971, a $403,000 edifice was dedicated.
After almost 31 years of service, Rev. Johnson left this life of labor for reward on April 21, 1987. The Church was left without a Spiritual Leader for one year and five months.
Archbishop Lester L. Williams
1988-2019
On September 15, 1988, Rev. Lester L. Williams of Marrero, LA, was called to shepherd the flock. He accepted the call on September 23rd and assumed the pulpit on October 2, 1988, with an electrifying sermon from Nehemiah 4:6, entitled, “Who Will Help Me Build These Walls?” Archbishop was an academician, the graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans with a BA in Secondary Education in 1974, He obtained his M.R.E from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in January 1982 and later received his Doctor of Ministry from Drew University in Madison New Jersey in 1993.
Archbishop Lester L. Williams was a trail blazer that thrusted Community Baptist Church into an elevated understanding of spiritual gifts, how they can be utilized along with those that were anointed and set apart to operate in the same. Archbishop was the visionary and founder of CCCI (Community Church of Christ International) He served and was elevated in the Eastern Baptist Association, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship and The Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops. Archbishop also was raised to national prominence surrounding police relations and injustice within the black/brown communities. He provided guidance and direction to NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. He was a soldier and became a voice in the community for justice
Archbishop led over two dozen missions to Israel and Africa, i.e., Zambia, Kenya, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Mossel Bay and the Congo. He was a dynamic orator and writer, publishing (2) two books, i.e., Pastoring in the Shadows and Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
After 31 years of pastoring the flock at Community the Lord called Archbishop home on November 2, 2019. He transitioned from this life to his eternal reward in glory, leaving our current pastor Bishop Jamell G. Mitchell to assume the pulpit and the leadership of this great flock.
Rev. Paul Vastor Johnson Jr.
1955-1987
In July 1955, a few people met to discuss the community’s need for a greater religious privilege in soul-saving and kingdom building. On August 3, 1955, the first prayer meeting was held in the home of Deacon James Clinkscales, 23 Bayview Ave., Inwood, N.Y. and eleven people attended. After this initial meeting, services continued weekly in the home of Mr. Silar Lomax, and led by Sis. Minervia Bailey. Rev. Thomas F. Owens, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Far Rockaway, N.Y. wholeheartedly assisted this small mission and assigned Deacon Marion Steven for spiritual guidance.
On August 24, 1955, Community Baptist Church mission sent out a call to Rev. Paul Vastor Johnson, Jr., to be the Spiritual Leader and Pastor. The first service of this newly formed church was held on September 4, 1955, and one candidate, Bro. Joseph Mercer, united through Baptism. The following officers were elected: Bro. James Clinkscales, Chairman – Board of Deacons, Sis. Julia Pruitt – Superintendent, Sis. Elizabeth Newman – President – Mission Society, and Sis. Helen Mercer, Clerk.
On Sunday, October 12, 1955, Rev. H.T. Batton, Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Jamaica, N.Y. organized this Mission to a Missionary Baptist Church. Weekly prayer services were then held at the home of Sis. Bessie Lynch. In December 1955, the Church was incorporated. Bro. William Scott was president of the Board of Trustees. First Baptist Church, Far Rockaway was instrumental in this phase of the work. Mr. Scott worked on the by-laws and gave aid to the church’s first building fund rally.
On July 2, 1957, Community became a member of the Eastern Baptist Association and Dr. James Moore and Rev. U.B. Whitfield presided over this council. In October 1957, the church became a member of the Empire Missionary Association and the American Baptist Convention. The church also held membership with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. On September 20, 1960, 167-04 108th Ave. was selected and secured as the present worship site. On July 11, 1971, a $403,000 edifice was dedicated.
After almost 31 years of service, Rev. Johnson left this life of labor for reward on April 21, 1987. The Church was left without a Spiritual Leader for one year and five months.
Archbishop Lester L. Williams
1988-2019
On September 15, 1988, Rev. Lester L. Williams of Marrero, LA, was called to shepherd the flock. He accepted the call on September 23rd and assumed the pulpit on October 2, 1988, with an electrifying sermon from Nehemiah 4:6, entitled, “Who Will Help Me Build These Walls?” Archbishop was an academician, the graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans with a BA in Secondary Education in 1974, He obtained his M.R.E from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in January 1982 and later received his Doctor of Ministry from Drew University in Madison New Jersey in 1993.
Archbishop Lester L. Williams was a trail blazer that thrusted Community Baptist Church into an elevated understanding of spiritual gifts, how they can be utilized along with those that were anointed and set apart to operate in the same. Archbishop was the visionary and founder of CCCI (Community Church of Christ International) He served and was elevated in the Eastern Baptist Association, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship and The Joint College of African American Pentecostal Bishops. Archbishop also was raised to national prominence surrounding police relations and injustice within the black/brown communities. He provided guidance and direction to NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. He was a soldier and became a voice in the community for justice
Archbishop led over two dozen missions to Israel and Africa, i.e., Zambia, Kenya, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Mossel Bay and the Congo. He was a dynamic orator and writer, publishing (2) two books, i.e., Pastoring in the Shadows and Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
After 31 years of pastoring the flock at Community the Lord called Archbishop home on November 2, 2019. He transitioned from this life to his eternal reward in glory, leaving our current pastor Bishop Jamell G. Mitchell to assume the pulpit and the leadership of this great flock.
Bishop Jamell G. Mitchell
Born on May 25th in Brooklyn New York. He was educated in Queens, in the public school system. He graduated with a regency diploma with merit from Andrew Jackson High School where he focused on legal studies. Bishop Mitchell continued to matriculate and received his B.S. double majoring in Criminal Justice and Administration Planning, double minoring in English and Psychology. Show more
He also obtained his MBA from Walden University with a dual focus on Leadership and Finance. Bishop Mitchell accepted his call to the gospel ministry in January 2000. He was licensed as a Minister by the late Archbishop Lester L. Williams in 2002. He was ordained to the office of Elder in 2007, the office of Overseer in 2010 and then later elevated to the Bishopric in 2015. Bishop Mitchell served as the Assistant Pastor of Community Church of Christ for over a decade as well as the 1st Assistant, to Archbishop Lester L. Williams for Community Churches of Christ International. Bishop Mitchell is now the Sr. Pastor of Community Church of Christ and the Presiding Prelate of Community Churches of Christ International. He is married to Lady (Minister) Kenichi Mitchell, and they have (3) three children, two sons and one daughter Jaren, Jourdan and Jade. You can often hear Bishop Mitchell saying, “No Worries or It’s all good” taken from his favorite scripture which is Romans 8:28, And we know that “all things work together for the good of them who are the called according to his purpose.” Bishop Mitchell continues to challenge the people of God to elevate their Faith, support their Family and encourage Fellowship in the Body of Christ and our surrounding communities. The Community Church of Christ is a New Testament Church and we have been duly called and have accepted the charge of Jesus as outlined in Matthew 28:18-29 [The Great Commission]. We have pledged to follow the examples and teachings set forth by Scripture, we are compelled to serve this present age by making full proof of the mission ministry wherein we have been called. The scope of our mission endeavors is wherever God calls and leads us in the vineyard.
Therefore, Bishop Mitchell, The Ministerial Staff, The Diaconate Ministry, The Finance Ministry, the Officers and Members of the Community Church of Christ will be leaders and examples in our local community and wherever the people of God dwell. We will continually reach out to those in need in all areas of their lives. Since Christ is the only One who commissions us to work in His vineyard, we gladly accept this commission to make this world a better place for everyone to live.
We thank God for Bishop, and the “vision” God has given him – for the Bible tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish [Proverbs 29:18]. Through God, and Bishop Mitchell’s leadership, Community Church of Christ’s work will not cease on this earth until the Lord returns.