our story

A life of ministry.

A church built on faith.

From a prison ministry and seven names on a mailing list to a church home in Thomasville, our story is one of answering God’s call, one step at a time.

Pastor Richard Chronister seated beside an acoustic guitar in the sanctuary at Paradisus Church of God.

1979 • A ministry begins

Reaching out for Christ

Before Richard Chronister became a pastor, he was the adult Wednesday night Bible study teacher and worship leader at York Revival Center. He also held a service once a month at York County Prison.

In 1979, Richard and his wife, Joan, began Outreach for Christ Ministry, a prison ministry that sent The Power & Praise Magazine to readers across the United States. They started with just seven names. Through the years, that mailing list grew to more than 700 recipients at one point.

The outreach ministry continues today, with the magazine sent out quarterly.

1987 • A call to pastor

A restless night.

A faithful answer.

In March 1987, Richard attended a service with Pastor John Foster of the York Church of God. Pastor Foster was working to keep services going at his own church while also keeping the doors open at a little church in Hanover that needed a pastor.

Richard went home that evening and couldn’t sleep. He felt God dealing with his heart. After much prayer and conversation with Joan, he decided to call Pastor Foster the following morning and tell him that he felt called to pastor the Hanover church.

The first service was held on April 12, 1987.

The years that followed

Room on the front porch

Over the next seven years, the congregation grew until the little church became overcrowded. People would even stand on the front porch, worshiping and praising God, because there wasn’t enough room inside.

There was no room to expand the building or provide adequate parking. Richard and his family began searching for land where the church could build a new home.

1995 • A new home

Putting down roots in Thomasville

The search led to a plot of ground in Thomasville. Planning and purchasing began, and the congregation prepared for a new chapter.

The first service in the new church was held on December 18, 1995. That building at 37 S Ridge Road remains the home of Paradisus Church of God today.

Continuing the work

Still answering the call

Pastor Chronister, Joan, and their family continue serving where they believe God has called them to be. Worship, the Word of God, prayer, and outreach remain at the heart of the church.

Paradisus is a local congregation affiliated with the Church of God. Our ministry is rooted in the faith we share and in the continuing work of reaching others for Christ.

Our story is still being lived out—in Sunday worship, in the pages of Power & Praise, and in the life of our church family.