Loving New Yorkers
Pastor C. Bernard (Curtis) Flemming, Sr.

Joyful, Joyful: Pastor Flemming (center) with is congregation at Brooklyn First FMC.

“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day” (Acts 26:22 KJV). I suppose Paul’s sentiment accurately sums up our story at Brooklyn First FMC (NY). We are extremely grateful to Jesus for His faithfulness to us for over 125 years, manifested in the many congregants and pastors who have ministered Christ’s love to generations of New Yorkers in the throes of political, social and spiritual change. Yet in the midst of it all, they heard and heeded Christ’s call to go; and because of their obedience we are here.

With this in mind, we offer Jesus to our generation, for He is the embodiment of humanity’s hope in a constantly changing world and city. Our efforts have not been without struggle, but there have been many victories. We embrace our future with our eyes on Jesus and confidence in His promises.

Pastor Curtis and Nancy Flemming

Since God has blessed us and we are blessed, we are determined to be a blessing to others. To this end we are striving to become more effective in reaching our diverse community which boasts over 250 ethnicities, a hodgepodge of worldviews, an intelligentsia who equate Christianity with ignorance, and a staggering amount of gentrification [the restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people] — all within a 25-mile radius of our front door.

We believe we can reach out by applying the same methodology the apostle Paul used: obtaining God’s help, standing in His grace and sharing Jesus — the personification of His love. Please pray as we launch our Bible institute (knowing) and television ministry (showing) to bring light into the life of New York City.