[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING PARADISE BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Paradise Baptist Church 
of Oakland, and its pastor, Reverend Leon McDaniels, Sr. Today marks 
the dedication celebration of the new Paradise Baptist Church Worship 
Center.
  Paradise Baptist Church had its beginning in February 1960. Rev. C. 
William Johnson was the assistant pastor at the First Baptist 
Parchester Church of Richmond, California when he was called to begin a 
church in the Columbian Gardens area of Oakland. He set out with four 
volunteers and went door to door sharing their vision for a new 
community of the spirit. In May 1960, a meeting was called and the 
Paradise Baptist Mission was organized. In August of that year, 
Paradise was officially founded and established as the Paradise Baptist 
Church with Rev. C. William Johnson as pastor.
  Paradise Baptist Church has had many homes over the years. Early on, 
Pastor Johnson purchased a home with his Veterans Administration 
certificate and converted it into a house of worship. In November 1963, 
a house on Empire Road was purchased, and the church moved to this 
location.
  By 1968, a larger facility was needed. A church was constructed 
adjacent to the house where the congregation had been worshipping, but 
by 1970 even that building was too small. Many of the faithful financed 
the building project by taking out second mortgages and borrowing funds 
which they donated unconditionally. On the third Sunday of August 1972, 
the new sanctuary was complete.
  Over the next 10 years, Paradise experienced substantial growth, and 
in 1988, Pastor Johnson brought in Rev. Leon McDaniels, Sr. as the 
full-time evangelism coordinator. Rev. McDaniels' spark and enthusiasm 
spread throughout the entire church body.
  On September 17, 1993, Pastor Johnson's time on earth came to an end, 
leaving the Paradise family filled with grief. Following a period of 
mourning, Rev. Leon McDaniels, Sr. took office as the new pastor and 
vowed to make a significant difference in the Columbian Gardens 
community, and in all of Oakland.
  There has been great growth during the tenure of Pastor McDaniels. 
Today, numerous ministries are available to the congregation, including 
the Prayer Ministry, Soul-Winning Ministry, Christian Education 
Training, Alpha Omega Youth Ministry, Pastoral Care, Wistar Redemption 
and Recovery, Inc., Financial Management, Real Estate Ministry (the HUD 
Home Buyers Program), Married Couples Ministry, Singles Ministry, Camp 
Ministry and Political Liaison Ministry.
  Pastor McDaniels realized a larger facility was sorely needed. By 
faith, the groundbreaking ceremony was held in August 17, 1997. Once 
again, the membership stepped in and made contributions and personal 
sacrifices in their commitment to further the ministry.
  The congregation has been blessed with the New Paradise Baptist 
Church Worship Center located at 9704 Empire Road in Oakland, 
California.
  The Paradise Baptist Church family has come a long way since its 
humble beginning in 1960. Rev. C. William Johnson knew 43 years ago 
that Paradise would make a difference in the city of Oakland. This 
vision has come to fruition under the leadership of Pastor Leon 
McDaniels, Sr. with a congregation of more than 400 members and 
numerous ministries that reach out to the community.
  I take great pride in joining friends, family, and the congregation 
to salute Paradise Baptist Church and its leader, the extraordinary 
Pastor Leon McDaniels, Sr. on this auspicious dedication.

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