Berkley First: Putting Families First Since 2017
By Sara E. Teller
BERKLEY FIRST: A UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS TECHNICALLY JUST OVER FOUR-YEARS-OLD, but its roots in Berkley date all the way back to 1929 when a group of Methodists began meeting in a local storefront.
After many decades of faithful ministry, that old church eventually closed its doors. Then, in January 2017, Berkley First launched in its place.
“We exist to gather, nurture, and equip disciples of Jesus Christ for ministry and mission in the world,” Rev. Zack Dunlap explained. He and his wife Rachael lead the ministry.
Dunlap added that the doors are open to any and everyone who is interested in sharing this mission. “Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, Black or white, Asian, or Hispanic, rich or poor, LGBTQ+ or straight, a hunter or a vegan, you are more than welcome here. In planting Berkley First, our hope was to reach people with the good news of Jesus who we never would have reached otherwise – people who might never have been reached at all.”
Berkley First has programs to address the needs of all of its congregation members. In fact, the church’s purpose is to unite everyone for the mutual purpose of serving the Lord, and there is strength in numbers. “We firmly believe that what unites us in Christ is greater than anything that divides us,” he said. “Even if you don’t yet believe in Jesus, we’d love the chance to get to know you.”
The church is community-driven and operates best when the community is willing to be just as passionate in helping each other and giving back. “We were created for community and designed for worship,” Dunlap said.
Worship services are held each Sunday morning at 10:00 A.M. Dunlap encourages Berkley residents and those in surrounding communities to “grab a cup of freshly brewed Great Lakes coffee, check the kids into our excellent children’s programs, and grab a seat to take in modern worship music with a message that’s both Biblically-sound and sure to apply to your life.”
ONE OF THE BEST PARTS ABOUT BERKLEY FIRST IS THAT IT’S LOCATED in an inclusive community that holds fun, ongoing events and activities. “Since its inception, Berkley First has sought to be a hub of community activity from our prominent location at 2820 12 Mile Road,” Dunlap said. “With great schools, a walkable downtown, and a unique atmosphere that’s simultaneously small town and suburban, Berkley is a wonderful community to live, work, pray, and play – and what is good for one of us in this little city is good for all of us.”
The church houses both the Tri-Community Coalition and the new Berkley Cares Food Pantry. It also partners with Micah 6 in Pontiac, Brightmoor and Cass in Detroit, and has international partners in Cuba and Honduras. Berkley First, itself, is a multi-site campus of Birmingham First, located on West Maple.
“We are also connected with Berkley’s only Boy Scout Troop, Troop 1085,” Dunlap said, adding, “We are proud to be the first church in Berkley to become a member of the Chamber of Commerce, because we truly believe that what is good for one of us as churches, businesses, residents, and restauranteurs is good for all of us. This empowers us to offer the programming and resources of a larger church, while still having the intimate community feel that Berkley is so well known for.”
BERKLEY FIRST HAS CONTINUED TO ENSURE ITS CONGREGATION HAS OPPORTUNITIES for engagement throughout the pandemic and has held outdoor summer gatherings to accommodate this. The church plans to continue to hold gatherings while upholding all statewide mandates. While safety has always been a top priority, Dunlap knows that togetherness is an important asset of a strong church family.
For more information on Berkley First, 2820 12 Mile Rd., please visit www.berkleyfirst.org or call 248.399.3698.
Worship services are currently held both online and in-person.
