About Berea Church
A community of believers committed to worship, discipleship, and serving our neighbors
Rooted in Faith, Growing in Grace
As our congregation expanded, our leadership identified that spiritual care must be paired with tangible social support. In 1996, we formalized our Compassionate Ministries to address critical systemic challenges such as food insecurity, language barriers, and health disparities.
| Ministry Pillar | Key Focus Areas | Strategic Community Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual Formation | Sunday School, discipleship programs, and leadership training. | Cultivating deep biblical literacy and spiritual maturity across generations. |
| Compassionate Care | Food pantry operations and emergency crisis relief. | Sustaining thousands of families annually, including families displaced by the 2010 Haiti earthquake. |
| Educational Empowerment | English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and After-School tutoring. | Overcoming language barriers and fostering academic advancement for youth. |
| Public Health Advocacy | Culturally competent health education and wellness initiatives. | Directly combating local health disparities through targeted outreach. |
Leadership Philosophy & Culturally Competent Care
Our leadership team actively investigates and addresses the root socio-economic factors that jeopardize the health and welfare of our community. We firmly embrace a holistic ministry model designed to serve the whole individual — spiritually, physically, and emotionally — with absolute cultural sensitivity. Through this comprehensive approach, we proudly manifest the love of Jesus Christ within our communities.
Our Scriptural Anchor
To support our mission of compassionate, action-oriented service to the humble, we stand firmly on the words of Christ:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:35, 40 (NIV)
History Timeline
Key milestones in our journey of faith and community service since our founding.
Humble Beginnings
A small group of Haitian immigrant families began gathering in a living room in Mattapan for worship and fellowship, sharing the Gospel in their native language.
Formal Establishment
Berea Evangelical Church was officially incorporated, establishing a permanent presence in the Mattapan community as a beacon of hope for Haitian and Caribbean immigrants.
Compassionate Ministries Launched
Recognizing that spiritual care must be paired with tangible support, we formalized our Compassionate Ministries to address food insecurity, language barriers, and health disparities.
Youth & Education Programs
Expanded our ministry to include ESL classes, after-school tutoring, and a dedicated youth fellowship to empower the next generation.
Haiti Earthquake Response
Mobilized our congregation to provide emergency relief, sustaining displaced families and demonstrating Christ's love in a time of devastating loss.
New Sanctuary & Growth
Moved to our current location at 130 River Street, expanding our capacity to serve a growing, multi-generational congregation from across New England.
Thriving Under Dr. Antoine's Leadership
Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Varnel Antoine, Berea continues to deepen its spiritual formation while expanding its compassionate outreach to the broader community.
Our Statement of Faith
The doctrinal convictions that shape our preaching, our worship, and our compassion for the community.
The Sufficiency of Scripture
We confess that the Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God — the sole rule for our faith, doctrine, and practice as a Haitian-American evangelical community.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, and ascension. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
The Church as a Worshiping Family
We affirm the unity of all believers in the body of Christ. The local church is the primary expression of God's family, where we worship, disciple, and bear one another's burdens in covenant community.
The Call to Holistic Ministry
We are committed to ministering to the whole person — spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Faith without compassionate works is incomplete; we must be doers of the Word, not hearers only.
The Transforming Power of the Spirit
We believe in the indwelling, sanctifying, and empowering work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit enables every believer to live a godly life, exercise spiritual gifts, and participate in the mission of the Church.
The Blessed Hope of His Return
We eagerly await the personal, bodily, and imminent return of Jesus Christ. He will judge the living and the dead, and we will dwell with Him forever in the new heavens and new earth.
Meet Our Leadership
Learn more about the dedicated team of leaders who serve our congregation with faith, passion, and a commitment to the Gospel.
View Our Team