The Berean Transformation Center’s commitment to community-based ministry in South Bend, Indiana took another leap forward on Sabbath, November 16, when Berean Pastor Claval Hunter wielded oversized scissors and cut a ribbon marking the grand opening of Berean’s new building in the heart of the South Bend community. In attendance were a number of Adventist church leaders and leaders from the community. [Photos by Stanton Witherspoon]
The Berean Transformation Center’s commitment to community-based ministry in South Bend, Indiana took another leap forward on Sabbath, November 16, when Berean Pastor Claval Hunter wielded oversized scissors and cut a ribbon marking the grand opening of Berean’s new building in the heart of the South Bend community. In attendance were a number of Adventist church leaders and leaders from the community.
The grand opening of Berean’s new building is the next step in the realization of Berean’s vision to have a “Center of Influence” in the South Bend community. Under the leadership of Pastor Hunter, Berean in June 2020 established a monthly outreach ministry established to meet the community’s needs with the goal of reaching 10,000 souls for Christ. On the second Sabbath of the month, Berean closes the doors of the church and members hit the streets of South Bend to bring the church to the people.
When it comes to what he hopes will be accomplished now that Berean’s new building is open, Hunter says, “We want to provide that place of refuge, that place of hope. We want to provide the resources that will help someone to get back on their feet.” Such help includes mortgage and rent programs to assist community members with housing, and help for community residents dealing with mental health issues.
Hunter adds that Berean’s message to community members is “this is a safe place for you. We will get you to help. We have social workers, we have doctors, we have psychologists, we have individuals who are ready to make sure that your life can be better, your life can be whole. And so we want to provide that space.”
As a part of Berean’s monthly outreach on second Sabbaths, the church prepares and hand-delivers meals to those deprived of homes, reaching over 15,000 families in the past 4 years. Additionally, this monthly outreach includes empowerment and wellness programs for community children, youth and their families, bringing the church outside the building to where community members live.
Lake Region Conference President Garth Garbriel preached for the Berean Transformation Center’s grand opening and says he sees the fruit of Berean’s ministry in the community in the baptismal reports he receives, as Part I and II of Berean’s Hope for the Hurting Heart seminar yielded at total of 60 baptisms between this year and last year.
When it comes to evangelism, Gabriel says tent meetings and other traditional evangelistic meetings are not “not working as effectively” as in the past. “Maybe there are some places that it is still working, but I think most places, most cities, you need more of this involvement in the community.” Gabriel adds, “I’m not going against … putting a tent up. It’s good. You’re going to attract some people, but we want masses. We want our churches filled again. … This transformation center is showing us new ways and creative ways of filling a church out.”
Also in attendance for Berean’s grand opening was Lake Union President Kenneth Denslow, who noted that students at the nearby Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary have the opportunity to learn best practices when it comes to urban ministry when serving with Hunter. Denslow sees great value when it comes to Berean’s Seminary interns having the opportunity get a “vision for ministry in our cities, [which] I think is great.”
Denslow notes that he had a conversation with a Mennonite individual who serves with Hunter on a council that meets with the mayor of South Bend who noted that Hunter “is not just a player in the church, he’s a player in the community.” Denslow adds that “we need to inspire our future pastors or pastors taking time out to come to the seminary” with the work Hunter and his ministry team does in the South Bend community.
The opening of the Berean Transformation Center is just phase 1 of a 4-phase vision. Hunter says that phase 2 will have a wellness center and gymnasium. Phase 3 will include an early learning center and affordable daycare. And phase 4 will feature a 500-seat worship auditorium.
“God has given me a vision to be able to move His people to truly be the hands and feet of Christ,” Hunter says. “There were moments where we thought that this was not going to happen, but yet God continued to push. He [brought] people alongside me and said, man, do not give up. Keep going.”
And Hunter says what keeps him going is when he hears someone reached by his ministry say “because of you, my life has been different. Because of you, my home is better. Because of you, I was able to give my life to Jesus Christ. Because of you, I was able to find a job. Because of you, I was able to get a Godly mate. Because of you, I’m making better choices in life.”
However, Hunter does not take the credit for the life changes of those he ministers to. “It’s not because of me. It’s because what God has given me.”
David Pluviose has worked as a journalist and served as a volunteer lay pastor. He is now enrolled in the master of divinity program at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University.
