Urban Men's Ministry Leader Named 2024 GIANT Among Giants
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A community acvist whose ministry focuses on urban men was recognized as the 2024 GIANT Among Giants during an awards ceremony tonight. The Rev. Jerry Bishop founded LifeQuest Urban Outreach in 1998. The ministry works with 1,100 adult and young men monthly, involving them in programs such as Night Quest, Saving Our Sons, and BROTHER-2-BROTHER weekly worship.
LifeQuest's headquarters, in the former Oakdale Chrisan Elementary building, serves as a hub for mulple congregaons of different faiths to hold their services. It also serves as a small business incubator and is the new site of the Gerald Dawkins Academy, a charter school that Bishop and LifeQuest opened for the 2023-24 school year.
Bishop's ministry encompasses his acvism as he strives to make Grand Rapids safer for all residents. Aer presiding over 21 funerals for people who died from the coronavirus, he joined other area faith leaders on Kent County's COVID-19 church task force in 2020. A summer of gun violence that same year prompted him to organize a community prayer event for residents and the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Bishop, a founding board member of Abney Academy, published "Transforming Urban Lives" in 2002. He received the. H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award at the 2004 GIANT Awards. 2/8/24, 9:57 AM Grand Rapids Community College Mail - RELEASE - Urban men's ministry leader named 2024 GIANT among Giants"There isn't a place that Pastor Bishop is afraid to go to spread the Gospel," said Tempy Mann, chair of the 41st GIANT Awards. "His compassion toward oen-overlooked segments of our community is inspiring. He has made a difference in countless lives."
The GIANT Awards, which Grand Rapids Community College has hosted since 1983, recognize members of the African American community for their contributions to shaping the history, culture and quality of life in the Grand Rapids area. Each award is named for someone who has demonstrated excellence and serves as a perpetual memorial to those contributions.
Awards were given in 11 other categories during tonight's ceremony and banquet: Valissa Armstead, senior director of diversity and inclusion at Corewell Health – the Raymond Tardy Community Service Award.
Debra Bates, owner and administrator for Choice Business Systems Inc. and owner of MeMe's Foundaon Bouque – the Milo Brown Business Award.
George Bayard III, arst, owner of Bayard Gallery of Fine African American Art & At this writing I am still in somewhat of a shock of being the recipient of such a prestigious award. To have my name mentioned among many who I served next to, been mentored, encouraged, corrected, and inspired by is tear jerking because I wonder where have the years gone and how good and faithful God has been to such a flawed person. I cannot imagine doing anything else the rest of my life. Helping, encouraging, advocating, and preaching is so satisfying yet challenging all at the same time.
Never,ever, did I once think about winning such an award nor have I ever served in this space for an award, reward, or recognition,for doing what believers are expected to do.
I'm fortunate to have had many,many, great men and women place their hands on my life and direct my path. From educators, clergy, coaches, homeless people, and even those sentenced to life in prison have guided me on my life's quest. But none, in the natural, have been more instrumental than my parents, Anne (affectionately called Annie Queen) & Tony.
Annie Queen lived out loved and prayer like no other. Loving everyone and everybody. Books, and execuve director of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives – Ethel Coe Humanies Award.
Tasha Blackmon, president and CEO of Cherry Health – the Eugene Browning Medical Service Award.
Jimmy Carter, former head coach for East Kentwood High School's girls basketball team – Walter Coe Public Service Award.
Jamie Gordon, execuve director of human resources for Kentwood Public Schools – the Phyllis Sco Acvist Award.
Krisan Grant, the first African American woman to represent Grand Rapids in the state House – William Glenn Trailblazer Award.
The Rev. Charles Hudson III, president and CEO of C.H. Hudson Outreach Ministries – the H.C. Toliver Religious Life Award.
Latesha Lipscomb, JD, director of engagement and relaonships at Amplify GR – Floyd Skinner Jusce Award.
Inez Smith, rered teacher – Hae Beverly Educaon Award.
Bobby Springer, director of GEAR UP at Grand Valley State University – the W.W. Plummer Humanitarian Award.
Proceeds from the event support the Milo M. Brown Memorial and the Junior GIANT scholarships, named for awards founders Cedric Ward and Patricia Pulliam. Kyle Greer and McKenzye Sterk, both Nursing students at GRCC, received Milo M. Brown Memorialscholarships. Cedric Ward Leadership scholarships went to Grand Rapids Chrisan High School student Caebre Baty and Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy student NasBrooks. The Dr. Patricia Pulliam College Leadership Scholarship, was awarded to Rallah Cobbins, an architecture student at Western Michigan University.
Jerry Bishop Giants Comments
At this writing I am still in somewhat of a shock of being the recipient of such a prestigious award. To have my name mentioned among many who I served next to, been mentored, encouraged, corrected, and inspired by is tear jerking because I wonder where have the years gone and how good and faithful God has been to such a flawed person. I cannot imagine doing anything else the rest of my life. Helping, encouraging, advocating, and preaching is so satisfying yet challenging all at the same time.
Never, ever, did I once think about winning such an award nor have I ever served in this space for an award, reward, or recognition,for doing what believers are expected to do. I'm fortunate to have had many,many, great men and women place their hands on my life and direct my path. From educators, clergy, coaches, homeless people, and even those sentenced to life in prison have guided me on my life's quest. But none, in the natural, have been more instrumental than my parents, Anne (affectionately called Annie Queen) & Tony.
Annie Queen lived out loved and prayer like no other. Loving everyone and everybody. My dad, demonstrated profound perseverance to overcome literally any obstacles he faced after a rough start in life. He taught me the importance of going to work everyday. The need for a vision. Commitment to marriage. But most importantly, and impact fully the importance of worship NO MATTER WHAT. It's been a supernatural story. Unexpected. Early I dreamed of a white collar job in Corporate America which I achieved. But, through the worship experience, and spending time in "the secret place" The Lord directed me into something far more difficult, taxing, exhausting, exciting but fulfilling which was ministry.
One of my most encouraging brothers has been none other than that of Rev. Joe Jones, the now Senior Pastor of Brown Hutcherson Ministries as well as the constant voice of wisdom from Larry Johnson. I'm grateful to have been EXTREMELY blessed to have a tolerant wife (Denise) and truly, truly, AMAZING children and grand children. In my final quarter of life its my goal, Lord willing, to grow the incredible church I Pastor,the LIFEQUEST URBAN OUTREACH CENTER,into a even more thriving destination location of HOPE.
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