Eventually Union Baptist asked Zion to buy the building. After their congregational meeting, their speaker took the stage and announced they had voted not to sell — everyone gasped! Then a second person stepped forward: a second vote had been taken and they had voted unanimously to give the church, parsonage, and everything in it as a gift. The service that followed was anything but normal. People from both congregations were laughing, crying, hugging, rejoicing, and praising God. Union Baptist could be confident their building would remain a house of God — and Zion officially had a home.
The autumn breezes of 1991 carried something unique that year — specifically, the prayers of eight people who were seeking the Lord for discernment to plant a church. Dan and Charlene Cramer were part of that eight. After many months filled with prayers and meetings, the beginnings of Zion Christian Church held its first service in a Howard Johnson hotel during the Christmas season. Howard Johnson’s was the church’s location for seven years — the ballroom for worship, several rooms for Sunday school.
After seven years, hotel management notified Pastor Dan the building had been sold and would soon become a Senior Care Center. The church may have two weeks or two months — but they needed to find a new home. Dan called the whole church to a time of prayer and fasting.
Before long, someone from Union Baptist Church in Carrick contacted Zion. They had a building sitting unused during a current merger and invited Zion to hold a service there to see if it felt like home. Zion has been here ever since.
Eventually Union Baptist asked Zion to buy the building. After their congregational meeting, their speaker took the stage and announced they had voted not to sell — everyone gasped! Then a second person stepped forward: a second vote had been taken and they had voted unanimously to give the church, parsonage, and everything in it as a gift. The service that followed was anything but normal. People from both congregations were laughing, crying, hugging, rejoicing, and praising God. Union Baptist could be confident their building would remain a house of God — and Zion officially had a home.
In 2007, another wonderful event took place. South Pittsburgh Assembly of God, located a few blocks away, found themselves without a pastor. Pastor Dan applied to merge the congregations and turn South Pittsburgh’s building into a community outreach center. Both congregations viewed this as “a God thing” and approved the merger. That building became The Oasis Coffee Center, now used by Youth with a Mission to help with outreach throughout Pittsburgh.
From eight people in prayer to a thriving church family in the heart of Carrick — every chapter has been written by God’s faithfulness.
God has been faithful throughout the history of Zion Christian Church and He continues to amaze us through the outpouring of His blessings and goodness.
Come join us Sundays at 10 a.m. and see what the Lord is doing!
The autumn breezes of 1991 carried something unique that year — specifically, the prayers of eight people who were seeking the Lord for discernment to plant a church. Dan and Charlene Cramer were part of that eight. After many months filled with prayers and meetings, the beginnings of Zion Christian Church held its first service in a Howard Johnson hotel during the Christmas season. Howard Johnson’s was the church’s location for seven years — the ballroom for worship, several rooms for Sunday school.
After seven years, hotel management notified Pastor Dan the building had been sold and would soon become a Senior Care Center. The church may have two weeks or two months — but they needed to find a new home. Dan called the whole church to a time of prayer and fasting.
Eventually Union Baptist asked Zion to buy the building. After their congregational meeting, their speaker took the stage and announced they had voted not to sell — everyone gasped! Then a second person stepped forward: a second vote had been taken and they had voted unanimously to give the church, parsonage, and everything in it as a gift. The service that followed was anything but normal. People from both congregations were laughing, crying, hugging, rejoicing, and praising God. Union Baptist could be confident their building would remain a house of God — and Zion officially had a home.
South Pittsburgh Assembly of God, located a few blocks away, found themselves without a pastor. Pastor Dan applied to merge the congregations and turn South Pittsburgh’s building into a community outreach center. Both congregations viewed this as “a God thing” and approved the merger. That building became The Oasis Coffee Center, now used by Youth with a Mission to help with outreach throughout Pittsburgh.
God has been faithful throughout the history of Zion Christian Church and continues to pour out His blessings and goodness.
Three convictions have shaped every decision, every sermon, and every outreach since 1991.
Depending on the message of God’s redeeming love in Christ’s death at Calvary as the only provision of salvation and forgiveness, freely extended to a lost and dying world.
Honoring the authority of the Holy Scriptures and working to apply its teachings in our daily lives, our homes, our work, and our relationships.
Knowing that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was extended on the Day of Pentecost for the duration of the Church Age and that the power of this experience remains God’s purpose in this and every dispensation. We believe in the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit as evidenced in the glorification of Jesus, in charismatic gifts, in the “Five Fold Ministry” offices, and in His fruit produced in the lives of believers.
