What's going on a Berith

Breakfast at Berith : Sunday Dec. 25, 2011 @ 10am

2011-12-15T11:17:00.001-08:00

We are inviting you to join us on Sunday Dec. 25th for Breakfast @ Berith. We will be celebrating Jesus Christ and enjoying breakfast with one another.

A few years ago we hosted a Breakfast at Berith on Christmas morning and it was a great time to be with friends, family, and members of the Oakland community. This year we are bringing it back and we look forward to seeing you here.

Breakfast at Berith
Dec. 25, 2011
Sunday @ 10am

3245 Sheffield Ave.

Oakland, Ca. 94602

click here for directions.

info@berithcf.org

1.866.2 BERITH

(510) 638.7870

A Lady at the Table

2011-10-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

The Women of Virtue at Berith hosted an event called "Lady at the Table". We had a great time getting instruction for some and a refresher for others on how to conduct ourselves like ladies in a fine dining environment. It was great to see our youth participants engaged and having a good time.

If you want to know how to eat & butter your bread properly or which fork to use ask one of the young ladies who attended the event. A special thank you to all of the volunteers and participants.

50,000 Invites

2011-10-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the success of our Here We Grow campaign, we have recently sent out 50,000 invites to the residents of Oakland. In the world of marketing, direct mail is still one of the most effective ways to reach your audience. In the history of Berith, we have used a variety of tools to reach the community, but we too have seen the effectiveness of direct mail. So that's why we went with an oversized postcard to reach people right where they are...at home!

One of our goals here at Berith is to reach as many unchurched people as possible so that we can help answer questions that they have about the bible, faith, and spirituality. We also are reaching out to families by letting them know that Berith is a great place for them to share and grow together.

This postcard is the first of many and we ask you to stand with us as we believe these invitations will help us lead people into the family of God and create disciples of the believers in Jesus Christ here in Oakland and around the Bay Area.

Pastor Rick on Twitter

2011-07-06T10:49:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, our Pastor has some of the most amazing observations. Berith is all about being relevant and reaching people with Christ. And today there is no better gathering place than the online community.

Follow Pastor Rick on Twitter as he comments on today's most relevant topics, the Word of God, and reaches people with Christ, in 140 characters or less.

Don't have a Twitter account, no problem, you can have Pastor Rick's tweets sent to your mobile phone, simply send a text message to 40404 and in the message type Follow bcfPastor.

Women Of Virtue - Community Outreach Event

2011-02-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

Wardrobe for Opportunity

Women of Virtue held a Community Outreach event in support of Wardrobe for Opportunity, a non-profit organization that helps clients, find jobs, keep jobs and build career's.

We had a great time at the event, learning more about each other, enjoyed great chili and cornbread, won some fabulous prizes and met an awesome graduate of Wardrobe for Opportunity's Pathways program. The ultimate goal of this event was to partner with an organization in our community and provide them services that they need.

A few of the women delivered a donation of $409.57 from our fundraiser, some professional clothes and received a tour of Wardrobe for Opportunity's Oakland facility.

Have you met the Need Buster?

2011-01-25T21:31:00.001-08:00

Pastor Rick taught a series called Meet the Need Buster.

In it we were asked to:

1. Hear a prophetic word

2. Be obedient

3. Bring a precious gift.

Have you followed the steps? Has God broken through in your life? Tell us how. Send an email to: info@berithcf.org with how God has broken through on your behalf. We've already heard a few people share, and now it's your turn.

We look forward to hearing from you

A New Year...A New Site.

2011-01-23T08:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it is a new year and a new website. Last year we made certain our facilities could accommodate more guests and new believers into the family of God, and now we have updated our website to be a better communication tool for everyone.

As Pastor mentioned in our most recent All Helps Ministry Meeting, we will be rolling out a few new outreach efforts and this website is one of them. Now you can watch Pastor Rick online, see photos of some of the great things going on here at Berith, and we're making it easier to share Berith with friends and family.

Here we grow!

Pam and Robert Tithe

2010-10-13T13:10:00.001-07:00

Pam and Robert Williams

This is our testimony for a couple of recent incidents where God showed up strong. As I sat down one Wednesday a couple of weeks ago to get my monies for FICWFM together I found I was going to have a bit less than anticipated. I went on as normal and Pastor shared some things about tithing at Bible Study that night. I am a tither and have been since I got the full understanding as taught by Pastor.

The next morning while paying my bills online, I got a call from the Police Department Personnel Section. They told me they had my check ready for me. I asked what check? They told me I could pick up my retroactive pay check. In June 06' our officers contract ended. So when I retired in Jul 07' I had been working for 1 year w/o a contract. The retroactive check covered that year w/o the raise. When I went down and picked up the check to my surprise it was $7200. God was as always on time. I thanked him as usual and tithed and gave my offering right away.

This past Saturday, Robert got as letter from the retirement board. They reevaluated his pay for the past three years since he retired. They found and accounting error in his favor. His
retirement pay is going to be increased $500 a month. They like my retroactive pay will be sending him a check in excess of $25,000. When we read the letter I said to him that's tithes. He said I know. He too now understands the power of God when you stay faithful and tithe and give offerings.

When he first started coming to Berith and saw the checks I wrote for our tithes he had me
decrease the amount, so we were no longer tithing. I understood the consequences but being new in Christ he didn't. We had problem after problem monetarily for several months until he told me he got it and we then both agreed to tithe.

God is truth, and as we decrease and let God in us increase we will see the fruit. God is truly
amazing.

Meet Cheryl Bowie

2008-05-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

"Prayer That God Always Answers"

as told by Cheryl..

I knew I had to give this testimony while I was in the hospital. Let me assure you my flesh would prefer not to do this. But, it’s not about me. And, to not give my testimony would limit God in what He wants to do in my life and in other lives.

I want to thank each and every one of you for your prayers, cards, and gifts. The enemy was trying to take me out, but the Father said “NO” because He has something for me to do.

Thank you for your continued support whether it was visiting, shopping, cleaning, transportation, or making yourselves available whenever needed. This has been a humbling experience for me because I’m not comfortable receiving from people that I’m not biologically related to. I have learned to let go of my pride and ask for help. And y’all showed out, big time. You gave of yourselves because that’s what you were spiritually lead to do. Thank you for opening my eyes.

Thank you for taking good care of my cousin, Thomas Slater, while he was here.

For those of you that may not know what happened to me, here’s the short version. My colon twisted, a colonoscopy was done to untwist it, but it ruptured instead. Some of the doctors and nurses were surprised that I had survived but they were operating in the natural. They did not understand that in the super-natural all things are possible.

My only regret is I should have gone to my doctor sooner. When I told my boss I needed more time off, she asked for a doctor’s excuse. By the end of that day, I was in Alta Bates Emergency Hospital. I’m amazed at the fact that I have not cried any “Why me Lord?” tears. This is a major change in me because before I was born-again a lump was discovered in my breast. I completely panicked, I worried about having a biopsy and what the results would be. The lump was not cancer. But now that I’m God’s child, my tears have come from praise, worship, and being grateful I’m still here. Though I have had some frustrating moments, prayer and conversations with members of this body have helped me get through them.

God has blessed me in so many ways during this time that the words “blessings overtaking me” were placed in my spirit. I looked for that scripture.
Deut 28:2 “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you . . .”.
I’m going to share 3 of them with you, 2 pertain to “Prayer That God Always Answers”, the other is about reconciliation.

Though I don’t remember exactly when this occurred, it definitely happened before discussing with me when (the date) I would be transferred to rehab. I decided I wanted to go to rehab on Feb. 29th. A Berith member and I did the prayer of agreement for that date. I was transferred to the rehab facility on Feb 29th.
Next, I decided I wanted to go home on Mar 14th. Again, a Berith member and I did the prayer of agreement for that date. The doctors scheduled my release for Mar 21st. But, I was doing so well in the therapy program, the therapist suggested I could leave earlier. I was released from rehab and went home on Mar 14th.

The reconciliation concerns my sister who lives in the LA area. We didn’t have much of a relationship growing up and it has been worse as adults. But, she came to the hospital when I was conscious in the ICU. I was shocked, this was the last person I expected to see. We have been speaking by phone. We have agreed to let go of the past and get to know each other as the women we are now.

I received a card from a co-worker that I want to share with you, but it requires some setup information. I had not mentioned I was a Christian on my job because I was worried about how people would react. But Pastor taught on Mat 10:32-33 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” So I asked myself which of those “whoever” people do I want to be?

When I had an opening, I let co-workers know that I am a Christian and talked about church activities. Here’s the excerpt from the card. “You know I’m not a praying person, but I’ve said quite a few prayers for you the last few days.” I had no idea how God could use my confession, but He did and He does know.

One of the best things about this experience is I need to gain some weight. In my entire life I have never needed to eat more to gain weight, it’s a nice position to be in.

I want to finish by saying, sometimes we have experiences in our lives that change us for the better. I know that when I look back at this time in my life, major changes will have been made.

Meet Esther Jackson

2008-01-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

Praising God - In Spite of What It Looks Like

As told by Esther Jackson

My husband (Randy Jackson) has been ill over the past four months and hospitalized for two weeks. I watch him suffer in pain, given blood transfusions, have a loss of appetite and go through numerous tests. Every evening I would come home, with a prayer in my heart, knowing that he was healed in spite of what it looked like. The doctor advised Randy to be released to a nursing home but we both agreed that home care environment would be the best medicine he could receive.

I’m praising God regardless of our circumstances, opening my mouth daily to let God know I appreciate his love for me. I am his workmanship, made in his image, his holy temple. I praise him for Divine health and thank him for directing my footsteps. I thank Jehovah Shammah because he will never leave me or forsake me. I praise God even when I don’t feel like praising him and before the day is done I feel much better and think back on how the praises get me through the day.

When you walk by faith, not by sight, that is not just a cute little verse you learn and read, you have to live it and go through it. Regardless of what it looks like, keep praising God and that praise will get you through all the things the enemy puts in your path.

Getting out of bed, praise God for the use and activity of your limbs and pray for those in our Military serving this country that have lost a limb. Showering and getting dressed, thank God for hot running water and clothing to put on, many people in this world do not have that luxury.
Eating breakfast, thank Jehovah Jireh our provider for the food we have to eat, so many people are starving in this world. As you reach the door, to leave your home, thank God for your shelter, so many are homeless, or confined in hospitals and nursing homes.

On behalf of my husband and myself, I would like to thank Berith Christian Fellowship for assisting the Jackson family in their time of need. We thank the many members who have sowed into our lives, those who have prayed for us and came to visit us. Thank you for your gifts of labor, food and encouragement. You are all doers of the word and not just hearers of the word. You are covenant people, lifting up others when the need arises.

Meet Mona Aubry

2008-01-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

Faith in God and Depending Upon Her Church Family Revitalized Me

As told to Jerilyn Taylor

I have served as Team Lead for the Greeters Helps Ministry since the beginning, about six years now. When we began, our ministry was small and somewhat informal, but as the church grew and we needed to better organize, the First Lady asked me to take over as the official Team Lead. I said yes to reassure both the First Lady and myself that I could do it.

Things started off fairly manageable; I made the greeter’s schedule, communicated with the team members, and held regular meetings. But as time progressed and our team grew even larger, and as I became more aware of the duties and things that needed to be done, details began to fall through the cracks. It was a difficult process, but I felt things were going to get better. Unfortunately I just had no idea of what I was getting myself into.

Pressure Builds
When I joined Berith and began serving in Helps Ministry my eldest child, Alex, was two years old. My husband Tyrone wasn’t yet in church, so I was attending alone. My husband later joined church and became active in a ministry himself. Then my son Nathan was born with challenges and had to undergo heart surgery when he was only eight months old. During this time there were events at church that required greeters to serve. I was trying to organize the team from home and even though I wasn’t always present at the events, I worked hard and tried to lead. I never had an assistant and wanted to delegate some of the responsibility, but I didn’t know how. I was exhausted, and like he usually does when your faith is shaken, the enemy got busy.

I now had two children, a husband, and the responsibilities began to wear on me. I wanted the Greeters ministry to go to a certain place, but I didn’t know how to take it there. The final straw was when someone made an off-hand comment to me that I took offense to. I said, “that’s it,” and told my husband I planned to quit the ministry.

Reaching Out
I spoke with Pastor Rick about my plans to quit the Greeters. Voicing my concerns with Pastor was comforting. He mentioned that sometimes people don’t think they’re doing a great job when they are.

About this same time, Pastor taught on being tired. While I don’t believe he taught the message because of me, it sure hit home! I was working everything out all by myself. I had to pause to ask if I was relying on myself to come up with all the answers or allowing God to give me the strength to continue?I knew I needed help so I reached out and asked a team member to co-lead with me.

The Change Was Awesome!
She helped get me organized and rolling again. More importantly I accepted her help and the team is more cohesive because of it. We’re communicating and things are going well. Currently there are 15 greeters including myself, and we are operating on a much tighter level.

I Am Not Alone
You know, when I quit the Greeters my conscience wouldn’t leave me alone. It was an unction – I knew I wasn’t quitting for the right reason, but I also knew I couldn’t continue to juggle everything by myself.

God told me to stay the course and see it through. I’m glad I reached out. I’m glad I stayed connected. I believe the skills I learn as a Lead of a Helps Ministry carry over into other areas of my life. These are practical tools! Knowing that I serve an awesome God I can rely upon, and that I don’t have work out everything alone, is a very good thing.

Meet Vanessa Ransom

2008-01-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

Vanessa Ransom Shares How Faith in God Saved Her Brother...Literally

As told to Jerilyn Taylor

God’s Great and Mighty Glory!
Not long ago, I received a call from CHP telling me that my brother Damon had been in a car accident. He had used his cell phone to call for help but didn’t know where he was. They asked me if I knew whom he was with or where he could have been going. I hadn’t a clue, but said that I would find out anything I could and call them back. I called my father to ask he if he might know. He did not.

Then I stopped and I prayed! I pressed into my covenant Representative and Partner. I made a demand on my inheritance, for God to rebuke the devourer for my sake (my brother, to my knowledge has not received Christ yet). I asked God, assured in Christ, to send His very best to save my natural brother who is precious to me. I believed that my brother would be the better by the incident and walk away from it without serious injury.

I believed that I would not panic because I walk by faith, not by sight. I believed that God wants to help me and will help me if I allow Him to meet my needs. I believed that His will for me is that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. I believed that He would keep safe the members of my household. I believed and I did not doubt.

With CHP holding on my home phone, I reached my brother on his cell phone. He was hurt and afraid. It was tough...he was screaming and the temptation to lose peace was knocking on my front door. We went on like this for an hour. We were cut off several times during the conversation calling back every time we were disconnected. CHP confirmed that they had a visual of him and they told me that they would call me after they airlifted him to a medical facility. The last time I heard Damon’s voice was when the helicopter reached him.

I waited anxiously to hear that Damon was safe. But while I waited, I rejoiced because I learned at Berith what covenant was and trusted God at His Word. I understood that He is always with me and would never forsake me. I rejoiced because I believed and acted on what God said instead of what I was told by circumstances.

Later that afternoon, I received a call from nurse Barbara at John Muir Medical Center who told me that my bother had just arrived and he had asked her to call me to tell me that he was not dead.

That is the meat of my testimony. Now, I have experienced the grace of God and His Living Word in a different way than ever before. My faith was challenged and I chose correctly. Glory hallelujah!

Some Details I Learned After the Incident
Damon’s accident occurred because he swerved to miss a bicyclist on Grizzly Peak near Fish Ranch Road. He was thrown from his car into a tree, and as he was falling (the bottom of the canyon is at minimum 75 feet straight down), Damon held on to the 2nd or 3rd tree he hit. Rescuers could not reach him by air because the density of trees in the area and the composition of the cliff’s face.

The Contra Costa County Fire Department was told not to attempt a rescue until the Park Rangers arrived because they could lose their own lives in the process. The shift leader from the Dublin Fire Department organized a human chain using fire hoses and whatever else was on hand to get to Damon. The rescue took more than an hour and was a multi-county effort (CHP/OPD/BPD/Contra Costa County Fire Dept. and Oakland Fire Dept.) and included many volunteers that had “just shown up”.

After 12 days my brother walked out of the hospital with 6 or 7 staples his head and two minimal fractures that will not affect his mental or motor abilities. Everyone called his survival amazing and lucky. I say it is miraculous. I say the Word of God is true. I say covenant ain’t no joke. I will call his survival victory and evidence of the unyielding love, majesty, faithfulness and glory of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.