Dr. A.R. Bernard, founder of the Christian Cultural Center, one of the largest churches in the nation, will be honored at the upcoming Jerusalem Banquet sponsored by Eagles’ Wings.
The Jerusalem Banquet, to be held at the historic Essex House Hotel in New York City on May 23, 2013 is a strategic gathering of Jewish and Christian leadership from across the nation. Robert Stearns, executive director of Eagles’ Wings stated, “The purpose of this gathering is to celebrate Jerusalem and the shared values of the Jewish and Christian communities. Eagles’ Wings has strived over the past two decades to defend and support Israel and the Jewish people, and work for the common good of all in the region. We also have brought thousands of people to Israel, including top Christian college students for 30-day intensive study. This gala event will serve to strengthen that mission.”
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Dr. Bernard, 59, grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. In 1979 he and his wife, Karen, started a Bible study in the kitchen of their Brooklyn apartment. The following year he left his ten-year banking career and, with their savings, started a full-time ministry in a rented storefront. Today, Dr. Bernard’s church, the Christian Cultural Center, draws tens of thousands of worshipers each week, and he is an internationally known teacher, speaker and community leader. In addition to his pastoral duties, he has been very influential in education and civic life serving on several community development boards for the city of New York. The New York Daily News also recently reported that Dr. Bernard is considering running for mayor of New York.
“We consider it a great honor to be able to celebrate the life and contribution of Dr. Bernard to New York City and to faith communities.” Stearns said. Dr. Bernard will join a growing list of Christian and Jewish leaders of influence who have been honored including the late Gen. Shimon Erem, Dr. Jack Hayford, Mr. Irwin Hochberg, Dr. Pat Robertson, Mr. Ron Plotkin, Drs. Frederick K.C. and Betty Price, and Mr. Harvey Krueger.
