What is Peace Community Church of Oberlin?

Updated

Peace Community Church of Oberlin (PCC) is a welcoming and affirming Baptist church in Oberlin, Ohio. It describes itself as an inclusive congregation rooted in Baptist life but nourished by many Christian traditions. If you are looking for a church that explicitly affirms LGBTQ+ people and women's leadership, PCC states that its stance on these matters is clear. Sunday worship is held at 10 a.m., and all are invited.

Core identity and stance

PCC presents itself as a congregation that embraces "the call of the teacher Jesus to seek God's realm." Its self-description emphasizes three commitments:

  • Worship and praise — gathering regularly to worship God.
  • Authentic community — building a community marked by harmony, joy, and celebration.
  • Prayer and care — praying for and caring for one another.

The church explicitly identifies as "inclusive, welcoming, and affirming," and notes that "it's clear where we stand on LGBTQ+ lives and women's leadership."

Affiliations

PCC is rooted in Baptist life and lists the following affiliations:

Affiliation Notes
Rochester Genesee Region of the American Baptist Churches USA Regional body within ABCUSA
Alliance of Baptists A Baptist denomination known for progressive stances
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists Affirming network for LGBTQ+ inclusion
Baptist Peace Fellowship / Bautistas por la Paz Peace and justice-focused Baptist organization

These affiliations signal a progressive, justice-oriented Baptist identity rather than a strictly conservative one.

Worship and community life

  • Sunday worship: 10 a.m., open to all.
  • Community news and prayer requests: The church invites people to sign up with an email address to receive community news, prayer requests, and more. It states that it respects privacy and will never share information with anyone else.
  • Justice and peace work: PCC says it works "to bring peace and justice to our world."

Indigenous land acknowledgment

PCC includes a land acknowledgment in its self-description. It acknowledges with respect the various Native peoples on whose ancestral lands it worships, encourages members to learn about the original inhabitants of the land, and commits to cultivating meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities in its region. It also pledges to support their efforts against systemic racism and to listen to and honor their accounts of oppression and cultural genocide, recognizing them as "the authorities on their own history."

Practical notes

  • Location context: Oberlin, Ohio.
  • Giving: PayPal appears as a payment platform on the site, indicating an online giving option.
  • Mailing list: Subscription is by email; the church states it will not share subscriber information.

If you are considering visiting or getting involved, the most direct step is to attend Sunday worship at 10 a.m. or subscribe to the email list for community news and prayer requests.