Our Story

My name is Lenroy Johnson Jr., I have been married to this wonderful woman of God Sharon T. Johnson for twenty-nine years but we have been together forty nine years we have four beautiful children and one has proceeded us in death, Andre Smith. We are proud grandparents of eleven grandchildren, and one has proceeded us in death, DerUndrae Smith. We also have fourteen great grandchildren.

I was employed at the America Steel Foundry for over forty years where I held the following positions: Secretary two terms, Treasure two terms, Vice President of the United Steel Workers two terms and later became President. I have been a Union Official for over 20 years. I volunteered for the Madison County Juvenile Detention Program as a court appointed Specialist for ten years to assist, direct and mentor young teenagers preparing them for life’s journey mentally, physically, spiritually and socially.

I am currently part of the United Congregation of Metro-East in the State of Illinois to ensure equality and fair justice among the Illinoisan and have traveled to Springfield Illinois to protest for justice.
I was a volunteer for United Way to allocate various funds for over 26 agencies. I am a string advocate in the Community for the injustice for equality, and had the pleasure to be a part of The Affirmation Action protesting March with the Legendary Jessie Jackson in Washington D.C. to dissolve injustice for hiring people of color and men vs women enacted by Ronald Regan.

I received Christ in 1993 and was baptized in Jesus Name and became a member of the Apostolic Church of Belleville for twenty years, under the leadership of a great man of God Pastor Switzer until the Lord called him home. The Lord Blessed us with another great man of God Pastor George Szabolcsi who became the Pastor to continue to hold the light. During my years at the Apostolic Church of Belleville I was on the Usher Board, Trustee Board and was a Prison Chaplin for seven years. As I began to grow with much prayer and direction from the Lord Jesus, he led me and my wife Sharon T. Johnson to start a ministry with Bro. Clarence Jackson along with his wife the late Virginia Jackson. With God’s grace the Apostolic Christian Center was birthed in 2008, where I was Assistance Pastor for nine years with this great man and woman of God. In 2017 the Lord spoke to me clearly to launch out and the Southwestern Christian Center was birthed where I currently Pastor in Granite City, Illinois.

Our Team

Leading with wisdom for over 30 years, Pastor John guides our community in spiritual growth and service.

Eleanor Pena

Eleanor Pena

Sir Brandman

Devon Lane

Devon Lane

Sir Brandman

Devon Lane

Devon Lane

Sir Brandman

Robert Fox

Robert Fox

Sir Brandman

Code Fisher

Code Fisher

Sir Brandman

Code Fisher

Code Fisher

Sir Brandman

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”