In 1988, the Lord Jesus Christ began the miracle of change in the life of Bishop Vernon Berry. For it was at that time that the Lord transitioned Bishop Berry from White Plains, New York to Atlanta, Georgia. Unsaved and unsure of his earthly path, he began to look for a church home. He remembered that his sister, Mother Linda Jones of Greater Refuge Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had instructed him to visit Bibleway Church in Atlanta where Bishop Matthew Norwood served as pastor.
After visiting Bibleway Church a few times he was struck with the lightning bolt of salvation. On August 26, 1990 he was baptized in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the Greater Refuge COOLJC (Church Of Our Lord Jesus Christ) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where District Elder Mark Jones served as pastor.
Under the anointed preaching of Bishop Matthew Norwood at Bibleway Church, the Lord Jesus Christ matured, established, and secured Bishop Berry to receive a sure spiritual foundation. For the next 10 years Bishop Berry fulfilled his obligation to the Lord by working in almost every auxiliary in the church. He wanted to learn all that God wanted him to learn for this specific time in his life. He worked on the usher board, sang in the choir, worked with the willing workers and became an ordained deacon. In 1995, Bishop Berry was called into the ministry. He spent the next 3 years studying under and along side some of the finest ministers in Atlanta. In 1998, Bishop Berry was ordained in New Jersey.
In May of 2000 Bishop Berry and his family moved on to New Covenant Christian Ministries where he served under the anointed teaching of Elder David L. Stroman. It was here that the Lord used Elder Stroman and his church family to show Bishop Berry how to flow in the spirit.
Bishop Berry ever the one to believe in education resumed his. After 8 years of night school, Bishop Berry received a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling. One year later, he received his Master’s degree in Theology from the American University of Biblical Studies. Bishop Berry continues to diligently seek the word of God as he is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program of the Johnathan Edwards Institute of Theology at Princeton University in New Jersey.
Not only is Bishop Berry a dedicated Pastor but he’s also a loving husband and devoted father. He and his wife Toni Berry have been married for over 20 years and have 3 fine children, Kenyatta, Devonn, and Corina, who are all baptized in Jesus’ Name. He spends much time helping and loving his family. Bishop Berry is truly committed to the building up of the family. Spending quality time, he believes, is the way to do it. For these reasons, he expressed to his congregation that there would not be many evening services because that is the only time families have to spend quality time together.
One principle remains constant with Bishop Berry. He loves the Lord, he loves life and he genuinely loves people. Affectionately given the nickname the “love preacher” by Elder Robert Powell years ago, he endeavors to try to walk by this name forever. Bishop Berry truly believes that if you’re going to do anything for Christ it will have to be in love.
May True Love Christian Ministries church always be a church where you will find True Love.