About Us

Praise Center Church Of God In Christ is a Holiness/Pentecostal church nestled in the Town of Dumfries, Virginia, a suburb of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. As a chartered branch of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc., based in Memphis, Tennessee, we proudly belong to the Historic Virginia First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop Marc A. Thomas, Sr. of Portsmouth, Virginia.

In the fall of 2014, Elder Eugene C. McCown, Jr. felt a divine calling to establish Praise Center Church Of God In Christ. Officially incorporated in Virginia on November 14, 2014, Elder McCown and his family dedicated themselves for 31 days of fasting and prayer in December as they prepared to launch the ministry. On New Year’s Eve 2014, the McCown Family was joined by Mother E. Dean McCown, Brother Renix and Sister DeAnn Graham, and Minister Kenyatta Shamburger for our inaugural service at the McCown home. Just a few days later, on January 4, 2015, we celebrated our first Sunday service at Sonnie Penn Elementary School in Manassas, Virginia. With family and friends in attendance, and many more tuning in online, Pastor Eugene C. McCown, Jr. delivered the first message entitled “Walking In Authority” from 2 Timothy 1:5-7, encourage us to embrace our God-given authority as a new ministry.

On April 17, 2015, Praise Center was blessed with the keys to our new worship center, and our first service at 17948 Fraley Boulevard was held on April 19, 2015. Since our opening, we have made numerous renovations to enhance our house of worship. In January 2016, we launched the Praise Pantry to assist those in need within our community, and on October 24, 2019, our community engagement activities were enhanced through the launching of WeSERVE Community Development Corporation, where we are Serving Families, Meeting Needs, and Building Community.

Prayer is central to our mission at Praise Center, serving as the foundation for every aspect of our ministry. We prioritize teaching the Word of God, fasting, prayer, and offering a sacrifice of praise to the Lord. We have ministries to encourage and support Men, Women, Youth and Young Adults, Marriage, Music and Arts, Community and more.

As we continue our ministry journey, we strive to be more than just a gathering place; we aim to be a community where individuals can experience and get to know the love and compassion of God. At Praise Center, we are committed to Empowering Believers and Changing Lives To Make An Impact In This World For The Glory of God, “that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11b. We invite you to join us in worship at one of our many weekly services.

Our doors are open to everyone, regardless of their background or stage in their spiritual journey. When you arrive, you can expect a warm smile and a friendly handshake as we welcome you into our community.