Special to the AmNews
On Feb. 15, Pastor Jamaal Bernard Sr. will open Long Island’s new Christian Cultural Center at the UpSky Long Island Hotel. Bernard, who is pastor of the current CCC Long Island church and the son of the Rev. A.R. Bernard Sr., who founded the Christian Cultural Center in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 1978.
The soft opening of the Long Island center will begin at 10 a.m. The formal opening will take place Easter Sunday, April 5. Upon reflecting on his son’s new position, the Rev. A.R. Bernard said, “I’m excited and looking forward to see how God is going to use him.”
Bernard was born and raised in Brooklyn. He is the founder of the CCC’s Youth Ministry and the co-founder of its Young Adult Ministry. Throughout his career, he has assisted in advancing small groups within the CCC and has led mission trips to Mexico, Guatemala, the Philippines, Jamaica and Haiti.
Bernard commented on his commitment to the church by saying, “My father taught me that no matter how good the preacher is at ministering, if he is lacking in the operations aspect of the church … the church has a high possibility to fail.”
When speaking on his mission, Bernard stated, “My focus is to establish myself as a minister, preacher and teacher while managing a growing global presence. I want to change lives and grow individuals back to the basis approach … to become unapologetic ambassadors for Christ.”
The UpSky Long Island Hotel is located at 1100 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, N.Y.