Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Featured photo: Pastor Delrico Loyd of Word of Life Ministries. Pastor Reverend DeQuan Ford of House of Prayer Baptist Church, Pastor Allen Overton of Christ fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Patrick Sanders Jr. of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Jesse McIntosh of King Solomon Baptist church were some of the supporters of the Berston Blessing.
On April 26, the Friends of Berston welcomed the community to the Berston Blessing Community Celebration, at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. The event celebrated and recognized the impact of the Berston Blessing Faith Initiative through which local faith communities united to raise funds to support the renovation and expansion of the Berston Field House.
At the event, emceed by ABC 12’s Dawn Jones, a video presentation was shown and a musical selection was offered by the Great Lakes Baptist District Association Choir.
Executive Director of Friends of Berston Field House James Avery talked about the initiative’s mission and vision.
“Like was said by our emcee, to be able to have this $22 million project on the north side and supported by all of these churches and by the different foundations, it just goes to show the importance and how much it’s meant for all of us,” stated Sheryl Thompson, who is the initiative’s campaign manager with Friends of Berston.
Thompson highlighted the Field House’s programs including boxing, dance classes through Creative Expressions, tutoring and senior exercise classes.
She said the goal of the initiative was to raise $50,000.
“And we still think we’re going to get that,” Thompson added. “The amount that was raised from here was well over $22,000. But we still have pledges coming in.”
Pastor Patrick Sanders Jr. of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church explained that the Berston Blessing initiative began when Avery told him Berston had a need. Sanders and other community leaders, including Pastor Allen Overton of Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, decided to unite churches and community organizations to contribute financially to the project.
“Berston is important because it’s been a staple in the community for many, many decades,” said Pastor Jessie McIntosh of King Solomon Church. “It’s a safe haven for a lot of children who may not have that outlet in the neighborhood, or at home,”
County Commissioner Delrico Loyd, pastor of Word of Life Christian Church, said: “Because the preachers and pastors represent a cross section of the community, it just shows that there is broad support across the community.”
Fifth Ward Flint City Council Candidate DeWaun Robinson thanked his Pastor Frederick Flowers of Promise Tabernacle for having a conversation with Robinson and other church members about how they could support Berston despite federal funding being cut.
“I used to go to Berston all the time as a kid and watch my brothers play basketball and try to play myself,” said Jasmine Burrell, who operates a daycare called Future Stars Learning Center “And now I’m a parent of a student who attends Creative Expressions and does six different dance classes. So, I’m there every day. Berston has been really good to my family.”
Burrell also remembers having to open the windows at Berston because there was no air conditioning and said was happy to donate to support Berston.
Pastor Bernard Drew of West Court Street Church of God said that it takes the infusion of faith, leadership and civic involvement to inspire leadership amongst our youth.
“We know that there’s resources there for economic empowerment.” Drew added of Berston.
Those who were not able to be at the event, including those outside of the faith community, are being urged to show support, as well. This can be done by visiting Berston.org, taking a check for any amount to the Friends of Berston Field House or by making a pledge for a future donation to support the completion of the facility.
The 41 churches who participated in the Berston Blessing as of April 26 included:
Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church, Bountiful Love Church of God in Christ, Calvary United Methodist Church, Cathedral of Faith Church, Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Damascus Holy Life, Every Nation Assembly Church of God, Faith Deliverance Center, Romeo First Church of God (in Romeo, Michigan), First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ, The Good Church, Gospel Temple Baptist Church, Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, Hands of God Ministry, King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, Kingdom of Heaven Ministries, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, New Beginnings Ministries, New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, No Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church, the NTC Church (New Testament Community), Promise Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Quinn Chapel AME, Second Chance Ministries Deliverance Church, St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Triumph Church, Vermont Christian Church, Vernon Chapel Church, Victorious Word Church, West Court Street Church of God and Mt. Tabor Baptist Church.
