ABOUT US
Our Story
Pastor Maury A. Sails Sr. embarked on a new chapter in his ministry journey after faithfully serving in the AME Zion Church for 38 years. The Lord spoke to Pastor Maury A Sails Sr. and led him out of the denomination to begin his work of leading others to Christ in a way more conducive to his talents and gifts. He credits his fathers in the faith for his training, the late Rev. Dr. L.J. Thompson; the late Rev. Dr. Oscar M. Peavy and the late Rev, Robert N Probasco Sr. In 2002, Pastor Maury answered the “call” from our Heavenly Father to continue the work began as a child and enter the ministry. Before Pastor Probasco passed away, our Founder and Pastor was serving as his Pastor Steward for 7 years; and he was relieved of all other duties in Zion, in order to focus more so on the ministry God was laying out for him according to Probasco. However, he laid that aside to continue care for the Pastor and his family during his illness and then picked it back up in 2012. Maury performed online studies and completed them in 2 years getting his ordination. With the First Lady Althea by his side, they prayed daily for God’s guidance until God Himself opened the door for the church start in the spring of 2014.
The services for Promised Land Community Church began humbly in the Sails Family dining room with 10 members in attendance in May of 2014. This was not new to Pastor Maury as the church he attended in Norwalk, Ohio when he was a young boy, started in a garage with his beloved grandmother, Margaret Hunt Harkness. and is still vibrant and flourishing today. Althea and Pastor Maury searched all over Portland looking for a building as the church was outgrowing their dining room. One of the 10 original members lived across the street from Piedmont Presbyterian Church.
In 2017, Mervonce made the introduction of the two pastors and immediately God placed His seal of approval on this meeting. Piedmont opened its doors to Promised Land Community Church’s small membership and the two churches continue to fellowship and share the building to the present. The Church incorporated and officers were voted in.
Within the first year of fellowship, Promised Land grew its membership and established a unique ministry to reclaim the community one person at a time. It has some wonderful programs such as the “Pathfinders Award” Fun Sock Fitness Sunday, Black History Movie Month and Fifth Sunday Excursions. In 2023, Promised Land Community Church and Piedmont Presbytery Church were called upon to open up the Portland Rose Festival with the “blessing” with our Pastor Maury delivering the sermon. Known for his anecdotes and “movie quotes and old school songs, sermons are a must hear at Promised Land. God is continually blessing this work at PLCC. It’s relevant, reaching and revitalizing. To God be the glory for the things that He has done. We invite you to join us on Sundays at 11:30 am for worship and praise to the One who alone is worthy of our praise. God bless you.
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
