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Deprecated: Using ${var} in strings is deprecated, use {$var} instead in /home1/portolao/public_html/wp-content/plugins/all-in-one-event-calendar/vendor/lessphp/lessc.inc.php on line 1560 About Us – Portola Baptist Church
"Open the floodgates of Heaven and let it rain."
Who We Are:
We are a bilingual multi-cultural Church that loves to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, because Christ has died for us on the cross of Calvary (Rom 5:8), we strive to run, encourage, motivate, but most importantly we put our eyes on Jesus to successfully finish this good race that God has set before us in this life (Heb. 12:1-3).
Portola Baptist Church’s History:
It was during the darkest days of the Second World War that God put in mind and heart of two young students the idea of opening a Baptist church in the Portola district of San Francisco. In the spring of 1944, John Nicholson and Joseph Meeko Jr., students of the Berkley Baptist Seminary got together to begin an active ministry in said community. The young men circulated hundreds of cards announcing the opening of evangelical services in the Portola Community Center, 2470 San Bruno Ave., San Francisco. The first Sunday in August 1944, only two or three people attended, but because of personal visits and prayers, Sunday School, Bible Studies and Prayer Services were started in private homes. In 1945, the church was organized counting 20 as its members. This group, together with its pastor, “Rev. Herber G. Johnson (who was called to pastor the church), felt the need to have their own building, and in 1946, under the wise ministry of its pastor and the support of the Baptist churches of the Bay Area, they decided to buy the Jewish Synagogue located on Felton and Girard streets in San Francisco. By this time, there were a total of 92 members in the church.
Later, this property was sold and under the direction of its new pastor, Rev. Ferguson, the property, where is now “Portola Baptist Church” was purchased. This building was inaugurated in 1961. From 1962 to 1971, Rev. James Culpepper and Rev. Jerry Warren pastored the church. In 1968, a ministry for the Hispanic community was opened. Its founder was Rev. Juan Garcia. This group was initiated with the assistance of 15 people and with time it grew by the mercy of God. Since there was no one to take care of the English-speaking congregation, in 1971, an agreement was reached to unite the two groups to form a bilingual church. Rev. Juan Garcia was its pastor from 1974 to 1979. In 1979, Rev. David Weeler and Rev. Betty Davis were called to pastor the church. Rev. Angel Martinez pastored the church from 1983 to 1985, Rev. Miguel Solla from 1986 to 1989, Rev. Alejandro Juarez and Rev. Lenni Juarez from 1990 to 1993, Rev. Elias Castillo from 1994 to 2014, and Rev. Alejandro Gaete from August 2016 to present. Since 1994 to present, Portola Baptist Church has been greatly blessed through the fulfillment of God’s ministries. Over time hundreds of people have found Jesus Christ through its evangelistic programs. Many needs have been met for people of limited resources, illegal aliens, and above all the spiritually lost around the world through its missionary support; as part of its Missions Ministry, Portola Baptist Church continues to support several domestic and foreign missionaries. Much more can be said of how the Lord has used the people of Portola Baptist Church over the years. We praise God and give thanks for so many brothers and sisters who have consecrated their lives to fulfill the mission for which the church was established.
With the prophet Samuel we all say, “thus far has the Lord helped us” and to Him be the glory!
Portola’s Translator
Copyright: Ownership belongs to Portola Baptist Church