Blog
Community Change Maker Spotlight: Bible Center Church
In celebration of National Kinship Care Month, A Second Chance, Inc. is honored to feature Pastor Cynthia Wallace of Bible Center Church in Pittsburgh as part of our new Community Change Makers spotlight series. Together with her husband, Pastor John Wallace, Pastor Cynthia has dedicated her life to serving and transforming the Homewood community.
Faith and community have always been deeply woven into Pastor Wallace’s story. “I grew up in Flint, Michigan, and church was always a very integral part of my life,” she recalls.
The pastor of my church when I was growing up always had a community focus. It wasn’t about the service that you did necessarily in the church, it was really about how the church serves a community.
Pastor Cynthia Wallace
Her journey to Bible Center began through her husband, Pastor John Wallace, whose grandparents founded the church in 1956. “My husband was raised in Bible Center and then moved away for college,” she explained. “When his grandfather died, John said he felt called to come back to really lead Bible Center and the work here. That’s how we got here. It really was through his calling.”
Though she originally built her career in education as a teacher and principal, Pastor Wallace soon brought her leadership skills into ministry. “I was so naive,” she admits. “I thought, ‘Oh, all the skills I have would be transferable.’ Some of them, yes, but what I found when I got here was that being in a church, people see the church as a light in the community. I actually went and got a second master’s degree in counseling because I didn’t feel equipped to walk with people through their life journey.”
Bible Center’s mission is clear and outward-facing, focused on serving the community, nurturing spiritual growth, and providing support and guidance to people from all walks of life. This is work that The Wallaces are deeply committed to advancing together.
“We love God. We love people. We live like Jesus. It has always been a very outward-looking church. It is equally important to meet the needs of the people in the community where God has nested you.”
Pastor Cynthia Wallace
That mission has given rise to impactful initiatives within Bible Center: after-school programs, a full-day summer camp, a community coffeehouse (Everyday Café), an entrepreneurship academy, and even a transportation service to ensure children can get to school and activities safely. “We want to bring things to the community that other communities have,” she said. “It really is listening to what the community says that it needs and asking, is there anything that the church can do to solve it?”
The results have been life-changing. Pastor Wallace shared one story of a mother whose children attended their after-school program. “She later began working for us, and when she hit a rough patch and faced homelessness, we were able to connect her with housing and support services,” she said. “It’s a powerful example of how programs and relationships tie together to lift a whole family.”
Reflecting on two decades of ministry, Pastor Wallace remains humble.
“I believe that God wants what’s best for people here, and we’re just being used. It’s not by my strength, it’s not by my power. God, it’s what you want, and I will just be surrendered to your will.”
Pastor Cynthia Wallace
Looking ahead, she envisions a flourishing Homewood where families thrive, businesses grow, and people want to live and invest in this neighborhood. “I guess for me it is that people’s aspiration isn’t ‘I’ve got to get out of Homewood,’ but rather, ‘Let me get to Homewood. I want to live there, I want to do business there because that is where I see flourishing.’”
When asked what legacy she hopes to leave, Pastor Wallace was clear: “That churches really can change communities. The church and God’s people can be the catalyst for community change.”
For those inspired to support Bible Center’s work, Pastor Wallace encourages people to visit biblecenterpgh.org. “There are lots of opportunities for involvement,” she said. “Of course, financial support is welcomed, but most importantly, prayer and speaking positively about the work we’re doing make a difference.”
As we honor Pastor Cynthia Wallace and the work of Bible Center Church, we celebrate the truth that faith, leadership, and community commitment can indeed transform neighborhoods and generations.