Church aims to be a guiding light for south Stockton

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Damia Howard prays during Tuesday night's bible study service at the Progressive Community Church in south Stockton.CLIFFORD OTO/The Record

December 14, 2013 12:00 AM

STOCKTON - When is a church more than a church? When it is Progressive Community Church, the large, lively, multicultural ministry that takes up 12.2 acres along South B Street.

Progressive Community is a statement.

And, in the vision of Pastor Glenn R. Shields, it is a beacon - of spiritual hope, of personal promise, of the untapped potential in south Stockton.

Pastor Glenn R. Shields moved to Stockton 15 years ago. His take on his adopted city:

"Stockton is a well-kept secret. The city has wonderful people. It has all the potential in the world to be a tremendous city. But there is a tendency to work in isolation. A spirit of collaboration is missing in the Stockton church community. We've got to do better. We have a social responsibility, and we've got to be involved in the affairs of the city."

The 40,000-square-foot multipurpose facility seats 1,200 people in its expansive main sanctuary, has a 2,500-square-foot fellowship hall and seven classrooms at 600 square feet each. The $8 million edifice also is equipped with the latest audio and video technology.

There are 14 full-time employees.

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Church aims to be a guiding light for south Stockton