Brief History

In 1954, Pastor Amos Levang felt a burden from the Lord to pioneer a church in Brooklyn Center. Twin Lake School at 4938 Brooklyn Boulevard (formerly Osseo Road), was rented and became the location of the first service on Sunday, July 22, 1956, with
an attendance of 27. The organizational meeting of Brooklyn Center Assemblies of God Church was held on November 1, 1956. Pastor Levang found property of his choice at 60 th and Xerxes
Avenue North, which property became the present site of the church. In faith, the congregation proceeded with plans for the educational building, which was dedicated on October 18, 1959. On October 25, 1970 dedication took place for the present sanctuary.

Pastor Robert H. Cilke came to Brookdale Assembly of God in August 1972. He served as Associate Pastor with Pastor Levang. The Cilke’s left to serve with another church in the Twin Cities for two years from 1974 until August 1976. At that time, Brookdale Christian Center started a day care and in 1978 started a Christian school (grades K-12) under the supervision of Pastor Cilke, which was in operation for a period. of ten years.
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Pastor Levang left in June 1979 to pioneer Northside Assembly of God, at which time Pastor Cilke became the Senior pastor.
In 1985, the Church built the Family Life Center. On December 30, 1998, God provided a miracle; the church was able to sell the adjacent 3 ½ acres which paid off their entire mortgage.

In July 2006 Brookdale Christian Center celebrated its 50th anniversary. Pastor Cilke resigned and retired as senior pastor effective January 31, 2009. Pastor Thomas Vorwerk assumed leadership of Brookdale Christian Center from February 1,
2009, to February 1, 2010. Rev. Gary Carlson, a retired Assemblies of God pastor, was interim senior pastor for one year.
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On December 5, 2010, Rev. Bernard Bouissieres was voted by the congregation as Senior Pastor. Pastor Bernard and his wife Diane came to Brookdale Christian Center with an extensive pastoral background. Diane is an accomplished piano player and assumes the role of BCC’s Minister of Music. Rev. Bernard and Diane have three adult children. Pastor Bouissieres built on the work of his predecessors and leans on each church member as a vital part of the body. His vision: Build together Brookdale Christian Center
as an inclusive environment where everyone can come, grow, be transformed to:
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Enjoy God, through multi-style fresh, spiritual worship and anointed Biblical
preaching.
Enjoy God’s people in loving fellowship, encouragement, and revival.
Enjoy his destiny by embracing salvation, discovering God’s purposes, and serving with passion.
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In August of 2022, Pastor Bernard Bouissieres resigned and retired as Pastor of Brookdale Christian Center and recommended Pastor Zinna Abedu-Bentsi, his Assistant to the Board of Directors to serve as BCC next Pastor. The Board of Directors unanimously agreed, introduced Pastor Zinna to the congregation and she was elected with a vote of confidence as BCC New Lead Pastor.

Pastor Zinna is married to her amazing husband, Kweku A. Abedu-Bentsi and they are blessed with four beautiful children; Ignatius, Mirael, Arzinda, and Joshua Abedu-Bentsi.
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Mirael serves as Worship Minister at BCC, while Arzinda serves as Vocalist and keyboardist. Joshua studies in Lisle, Illinois at Benedictine University, while Ignatius resides in Liberia and works for the United Nations.
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Upon beginning on September 4, 2022, Pastor Zinna set a short-term vision of “Rebuilding on what was left”. She communicated to the Church that God had called her to elevate the vision of the church of Enjoying God, His people and their destiny while rebuilding on the existing foundation of the fathers of faith of BCC.

As we look into the future, Pastor Zinna’s dream is to continue an extensive outreach and discipleship effort in and around the communities and surrounding areas of the church while developing; training, and equipping BCC members to become servant leaders to continue the work of the ministry. Her desire is to also create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed, loved, accepted, and can use their God given gifts to serve one another.