Northside Christian Center began in the CarTex Theater in Carthage, TX at a Friday night service on February 17, 1961. After several services of visiting ministers, Bro Billy Shoffner preached his first message at a Sunday evening service on April 9, 1961. He preached his first Sunday morning service on April 16 th , and in May was asked to return to preach revival services. Following the revival the church voted to call Bro. Billy to serve as Pastor, and on Mother’s Day, May 14th he accepted the church’s call. There were 25 people in attendance. Brother Billy served as pastor from 1961 to the end of 2000. During his 39 years of faithful service he oversaw many expansions of the church in ministry and facilities. The first new church facility was completed in 1965, and the first service was held on December 26th , with Bro. E.J. Adams preaching the first message. The façade of this white brick church remains to this day as the front entrance of our children’s ministry area. In September 1979 ground was broken on new church facilities and on Easter Sunday, 1980, the new building was dedicated. The church continued to grow and become a significant ministry presence in Panola County. Bro. Billy lead the church in the vision to evangelize, enlarge the Kingdom of God and educate people in the life and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1984 the vision of Christian education began to form in Bro. Billy’s heart. After much prayer and planning, the church body and board unanimously passed a resolution to construct a new building and open a Christian school. In the Fall of 1985 Northside Christian Academy was opened. The school ministry continues to be an effective and influential ministry to students and their families in Panola County to this day. During this time, God was laying out a plan for the future leadership of Northside Christian Center and Academy. Aaron and Melissa Bequette began attending Northside in late 1990. They were married in the church by Bro. Billy and began to work with the youth in the church on a volunteer basis in 1992. In the summer of 1993 Aaron was asked to come on staff as Youth Director and Principal of Northside Christian Academy. The school ministry continued to grow under this new leadership and new facilities were constructed to enlarge the school program. During the season of Northside’s history from 1993-2000, God began putting all the pieces together for the future leadership of the church and school. There were many twists and turns along the journey, and God showed Himself both sovereign and faithful throughout. In the fall of 2000, Aaron Bequette was ordained as an Associate Pastor, and on December 31, 2000 Bro. Billy Shoffner resigned as Senior Pastor of Northside Christian Center. Aaron Bequette began serving as Senior Pastor on January 1, 2001. and has been serving with his wife Melissa by his side since that time. God has blessed the church with continued growth over the years. Scott Dragoo was added as an Associate Pastor and serves in administration and worship. Brandon Pierce served as an Associate Pastor for several years until 2022. Brandon currently serves alongside Aaron as Co-pastor. We have been blessed with many other able ministers in our church and school throughout the years. Together as a family of faith, we are pursuing God’s vision and mission for this body of believers.