Grand Rapids Pastors Supporting Our Home Too Documentary Film Project
Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which would defeat you… You are made by the struggles you choose. -C.T. Vivian
The Our Home Too documentary film and community outreach project is proud to receive the support of Rev. Dr. Howard C. Earle Jr., Senior Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church and Rev. C.A. Pace, Jr. Senior Pastor of the True Light Baptist Church––and their respective congregations. Both churches and many of their members have been, and continue to be, essential to the Black freedom struggle in Grand Rapids.
From approximately 1916 to 1970, about six million Black Americans left the South to escape economic oppression, exploitation, brutality, lynching, and harsh segregation laws. During WW I, the need for industrial workers and the prospect of social equality brought African American migrants to Grand Rapids. Many sought to avoid the widespread discrimination of larger, more complex northern cities. Established in 1922 on the west side Projectof Grand Rapids where living conditions were often substandard, True Light Baptist Church, and the surrounding community, provided a sense of pride and an environment of self-determination.
From 1938 to 1954, Rev. Tolliver, True Light's pastor at that time affirmed a tradition of leadership at the church in the Black freedom struggle in Grand Rapids. Begining a forty-one-year tenure in 1954, Rev. W. L. Patterson continued and further established True Light's commitment to social justice issues. Now Rev. Pace continues and expands True Light's commitment to the Black freedom struggle in Grand Rapids with support for the Our Home Too documentary film and community outreach project.
Rev. Pace states, "Faith communities have always been essential to the progression of the liberation movement. True Light, along with many of the churches in our community work to provide spaces to cultivate opportunities for individuals to break the chains of systemic oppression and foster an identity of holistic freedom. As True Light celebrates our Centennial in Grand Rapids, we strive to continue to share Christ, show compassion and serve our community."
Rev. Howard Earle, Jr., the senior pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, has also voiced support for the project. He states, "An idealistic and arguably naive perception of our country is one that believes racism no longer has the stronghold on the United States of America that it once held. However, racism is alive and well in this country and is deeply embedded in our nation's DNA. Stories such as the Our Story Too documentary Film project are critical to crafting and constructing accurate narratives about the history of our beloved country. The African American journey in the city of Grand Rapids is a rich and dynamic one that must be told from the African American perspective. This project could not be more timely as we watch the full-on assault of accurate American history on a daily basis."
Our Home Too will explore the journey of New Hope Baptist Church from its founding in 1934 when a group of Black Grand Rapidians formed a prayer band and met in each other's homes and at a location on Market Street. In April 1949, Rev. John V. Williams was called as pastor. He was the 6th pastor and also the longest serving pastor in the church's 85 - year history. Rev Williams established a hot lunch program at the church, and he was instrumental in the Progressive Voters League. Today New Hope continues its commitment to the Black freedom struggle with programs ranging from prison ministry to a drama ministry that brings biblical history to life through realistic interpretations.
In the act of worship itself, the experience of liberation becomes a constituent of the communities being …It is God's Spirit invading the lives of the people, "building them up where there are torn down and propping them up on every leaning side."
James H. Cone
The project team is in discussions with other area ministers, and we look forward to garnering their support. As we prepare funding grant applications, Plymouth United Church of Christ, Pastor Rachel Bahr is using the slogan "Doing Really Good Stuff." Plymouth is including the Our Home Too, project in the "Good Stuff" they are doing. Rev. Robert Dean pastor of New Life Church of God in Christ, like Plymouth has consented to be listed as supports in our funding proposals. Rev. Bahr states, "Plymouth will be praying for you in this important venture. I look forward to when we can watch the documentary together as a community."
Conceptual, spiritual, and financial support from pastors and their congregations is greatly appreciated. However, the project needs grassroots community support. We must embrace projects that respect Black history and culture. As we navigate the foundation funding process the project requires immediate resources to document community elders for the film and the historical record. Regenerative Community Builders, a non-profit 501c 3 LLC, is the fiduciary. Please make checks payable and mail to Regenerative Community Builders Inc. at 2222 W. Grand River Ave. Suite A Okemos, MI 48864. Direct deposit contributions can be made via (please include the info regenerative provided.)
My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."
Desmond Tutu
Anyone seeking more information can email Dante James at dante@blackpearllmw.com. Please make check or money order contribution payable to Regenerative Community Builders Inc. The mailing address is Regenerative Community Builders Inc. 2222 W. Grand River Ave. STE A. Okemos, MI 48864. Contributions can also be made via:
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