Church CommUNITY Day 2008

On September 20th, 2008, the Historic Berean Baptist Church enjoyed near perfect weather at their first Community Picnic under the leadership of the congregations new pastor Reverend Kenneth Blanchard, Sr. The event that was purposed to introduce the church to the neighborhood and raise money for the children of incarcerated parents through the Angel Tree Prison Ministry Fellowship Foundation was a success. Church members contributed to the bounty of food and served over 200+ of our neighbors.

The DC Fire Department supplied a fire truck for the kids to explore and learn about safety. The rented “moon bounce” helped expel some of the abundant energy of some of the children. Associate minister from First Baptist of Fairmont Heights, Rev. Hall bought out a professional grill and Deacon McGee of Food for the Soul catering, fried fish, flipped burgers and hotdogs all day. The food table was spread out as people from around Brentwood and Brookland sampled the potato and pasta salad, the desserts, drank the homemade lemonade and sweet tea.

Though advertised through several radio stations and neighborhoods, the response was nonexistent until I made a personal appeal. Walking through the apartment complexes, alleys and down the block alone that morning, I was able to meet some key children and young men that were out that morning. Each one that I met spread the news and brought families to the church grounds for the feast.

I was classified as an “associate” minister for a couple of years before being called as pastor. In that realm, I had little control over the direction of the church, often I had to stand patiently under the leadership of an infamous Chairman of deacons. I was told repeatedly during my time there that though admittedly very spiritual, I was unorthodox and unseasoned to be a pastor of this once affluent congregation. Thought some would have heart attacks when I rode my Harley Davidson motorcycle to Wednesday night bible study one summer evening. And then there is the issue of guns. I am an internationally known firearms instructor, an avid outdoorsman and fisherman that speaks Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.

All I want to do is God’s Will and try to take the church out of the mindset of just surviving, to doing the work of the Gospel. This was my second attempt to reach out to the community, and make the positive traditions of his congregation anew.

The Historic Berean Baptist Church originates from the historical Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington, DC. In 1877, twenty-two members from the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church formed the Berean Baptist Church in Washington, DC. From there, members of the Berean Baptist Church formed the Historic Berean Baptist Church on August 13, 1997 and officially incorporated it in DC on August 21, 1997. The church purchased the former United National Bank property on 1400 Montana Avenue, NE, Washington, DC and converted it into a church in 1999. It has plenty of off street parking. We are on the corners of 14th St., Montana and Rhode Island Avenue.

The name "Berean" comes from the book of Acts 17:11-12, where the Apostle Paul met a noble people from Berea that had a readiness of mind and that searched the Scriptures daily. It is “historic” because the founding members are connected to the original church.

The former bank building converted into a church is enjoying a newly renovated sanctuary and looking forward to finally growing and serving the community. The church celebrated its eleventh year anniversary in August 2008.

We have worship service on Sundays at 10:00 AM and an engaging biblical discussion, prayer and praise service on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM. Our website is http://www.historicbereanbaptistchurch.org/.