Dr. Ray Allen Berryhill to Head Two Racially Diverse Congregations

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Historic installation is Sunday

By Chinta Strausberg

In an expanded move towards racial reconciliation, Rev. Dr. Ray Allen Berryhill, Senior Pastor of Evangel World Outreach Center, will be installed this Sunday as the Pastor of the retiring Apostle David Rivera’s Centro Cristiano Bethesda Church and will oversee a racially diverse more than 1200 member congregation under the new name of Resurrected Life Church International.

History will be made on Sunday, October 5, 2014, at 10 a.m., 4538 West Fullerton, where Rev. Berryhill will take another leap of faith from a 10,000 square foot church to a 48,000 square foot complex. He and Apostle Rivera will be celebrating diversity and honoring the legacy of two churches bonding to become one under the leadership of Berryhill.

Referring to Apostle Rivera, Rev. Berryhill said, “After much thought and prayer, when pastor chose to retire, he also desired to place his congregation into my care. Apostle Rivera is one of the most respected Hispanic clergyman in the Chicagoland area.”

Berryhill feels it is an honor to lead both congregations. As pastor, he served the Belmont-Cragin community since 1992. He moved his church from 5100 West Diversey Avenue to his current 4538 West Fullerton site in the neighboring Hermosa community on August 3, 2014 and looks forward to utilizing this worship complex to address critical community concerns including hunger,education, youth mentoring, and anti-violence.

“It is not just a church building. It is a complex and a community center,” said Berryhill. It houses a beautiful sanctuary which holds 800, a full-service daycare, a small chapel, a commercial kitchen, a beautiful banquet room which seats 200 comfortably; a full-court gymnasium; a dance studio; a weight room; a youth recreation area complete with pool, ping pong, air hockey and video games; plus classrooms, offices and much more.

While Bethesda is predominately Hispanic, Berryhill said Evangel World Outreach Center has 40 different nationalities including German, Italian, Polish, Asian, Filipino, Latino, African and African American.

“As one church, we can continue impacting our neighborhood with multicultural, multilingual, multigenerational ministry at multiple service times. I am privileged that in a time when there is so much racial tension and hostility to have been chosen by God and this Pastor to be a standard-bearer for reconciliation.” said the 58-year-old Dr. Berryhill.

Additionally, Berryhill said the union “is also an opportunity to expand blessing the communities.” Berryhill was referring to “40 Days of Blessing” which he organized and partnered with Saint Sabina’s Father Michael L. Pfleger and 30 other churches. Berryhill gave away cars, oil changes, gasoline, paid utilities/mortgages/rents, and a Free Store providing clothing, shoes, furniture, appliances, toys and games to all who were in need.

“So I am thrilled over the merger of two powerful and robust ministries and their continuation of community service to expand the Kingdom of God. ” said Berryhill. “…And to have a prominent Hispanic pastor with a legacy of 32-years entrusting his congregationi nto my care as an African American, it is not only amazing…it is unprecedented.”

Dr. Berryhill is married to Adrienne for more than 40-years. She serves as the Women’s Pastor and performs a myriad of administrative functions. Together they have seven children and eight grandchildren.

“Not only is my church multicultural but my family is also multicultural. Two of my sons married Latino women and have given me four beautiful biracial grandchildren.” Rev. Berryhill also speaks Spanish, but he uses an interpreter when preaching to his Spanish-speaking congregants. ResurrectedLife Church International “ is a place to belong committed to passionately making disciples of all nations.”

Berryhill attended Moody Bible Institute, Chicago Baptist Institute and Bakke University, majoring in theology. He also attended DePaul University for business administration. Berryhill received an honorary doctorate from St.Thomas Christian University and Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida.
In an expanded move towards racial reconciliation, Rev. Dr. Ray Allen Berryhill, Senior Pastor of Evangel World Outreach Center, will be installed this Sunday as the Pastor of the retiring Apostle David Rivera’s Centro Cristiano Bethesda Church and will oversee a racially diverse more than 1200 member congregation under the new name of Resurrected Life Church International.In an expanded move towards racial reconciliation, Rev. Dr. Ray Allen Berryhill, Senior Pastor of Evangel World Outreach Center, will be installed this Sunday as the Pastor of the retiring Apostle David Rivera’s Centro Cristiano Bethesda Church and will oversee a racially diverse more than 1200 member congregation under the new name of Resurrected Life Church International.History will be made on Sunday, October 5, 2014, at 10 a.m., 4538 West Fullerton, where Rev. Berryhill will take another leap of faith from a 10,000 square foot church to a 48,000 square foot complex. He and Apostle Rivera will be celebrating diversity and honoring the legacy of two churches bonding to become one under the leadership of Berryhill. Referring to Apostle Rivera, Rev. Berryhill said, “After much thought and prayer, when pastor chose to retire, he also desired to place his congregation into my care. Apostle Rivera is one of the most respected Hispanic clergyman in the Chicagoland area.”History will be made on Sunday, October 5, 2014, at 10 a.m., 4538 West Fullerton, where Rev. Berryhill will take another leap of faith from a 10,000 square foot church to a 48,000 square foot complex. He and Apostle Rivera will be celebrating diversity and honoring the legacy of two churches bonding to become one under the leadership of Berryhill. Referring to Apostle Rivera, Rev. Berryhill said, “After much thought and prayer, when pastor chose to retire, he also desired to place his congregation into my care. Apostle Rivera is one of the most respected Hispanic clergyman in the Chicagoland area.”History will be made come 10 a.m., Sunday, October 5, 2014, when an Hispanic church bonds with a racially diverse African American church and become one. Resurrected Life Church International “is a place to belong committed to passionately making disciples of all nations.”History will be made come 10 a.m., Sunday, October 5, 2014, when an Hispanic church bonds with a racially diverse African American church and become one. Resurrected Life Church International “is a place to belong committed to passionately making disciples of all nations.”

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.

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