In July 2006, Robert D. Ester Sr., Pastor of New Testament Baptist Church announced that God had called
him to a title change from Pastor to Bishop. Under the title of “Bishop” his area of service is to oversee
new church plants, and to be a liaison between larger and existing small churches to bring the necessary
resources to advance God’s Kingdom. Additionally, he continues to lead as Senior Pastor at New
Testament Baptist Church.
In October 2006 Reverend Ross was called by God to plant a new church and to be the under-shepherd.
For Reverend Ross God’s call seemed to conflict with her convictions with the order of headship in the
church. Her soul was distressed and heavily burdened. She knew that only God could relieve her of the
turmoil that she was experiencing. Immediately, she began to cry out to Him for answers. Melvin, her
husband and others also began to pray with her and for her.
After weeks of fasting and praying a breakthrough came by way of a telephone call while she was home
alone. When the telephone call came through, Reverend Ross was on her knees, praying and weeping
bitterly. At first, she ignored the telephone ringing. But the caller was determined to get through. She
wiped her tears and tried to gain composure before picking up the receiver. She discovered that the caller
was her daughter Athena who was in Germany on an assignment with the United States Air Force.
Immediately Athena sensed that something was wrong. When she asked her mother “what was wrong”
Reverend Ross was reluctant to share with her daughter for fear of her daughter’s lack of understanding
of what she was going through. But Athena persisted. Reverend Ross agreed to share with her daughter
as long as her daughter agreed to pray with her and for her. Athena agreed.
Athena did not try to offer advice. Her greatest gift to her mother was “having a listening ear”. After listening,
she asked about Bishop and “how he was doing”? It was at that moment that God’s revelation came to His
servant Reverend Ross that Pastor Robert Ester’s call to Bishop was a part of God’s divine plan in fulfilling his
call as the presiding elder of West Sacramento Community Church.
At that point, the burdens of Reverend Ross’ soul was lifted. After receiving God’s revelation and His plans all
conflict with her convictions were resolved. From that day forward God has continued to show Himself faithful
to those whom He has chosen to carry out the work of Jesus Christ.
Through God’s guidance, obedience in response to the call and faith, the West Sacramento Community Church
was born on January 28, 2007. The first service was held at the Best Western Harbor Inn Conference Center.
The church later moved to Evergreen Elementary School for several months before relocating to Yolo High
School, 920 Westacre Road in West Sacramento, California.
The West Sacramento Community Church is a place where all people from all walks of life can find hope for the
hopeless, love for the unloved, peace for the restless, comfort for the comfortless, healing for the hurting, joy
for the joyless, encouragement for the discouraged, visitors, and others who desire to live victoriously under
God’s guidance.
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