“We have parenting classes, an annual free clothing give-away, school supply giveaway. It’s a good thing to see the kids walk away with a smile on their face with a new backpack. And that’s why we bought the gymnasium — for the kids and for the community.
“If there was one message that I would like to send to the entire community about our church, that message would be inclusion. Everyone is welcome, but when you come over, you’ve got to come to work. We need everyone’s tools to make a strong church and a strong community. We’re all a family.”
In addition to Guyton and Reeves, during the past decade, a host of Comerica executives and officers have become acquainted with New Providence, including Elaine McMahon, Craig Dumo, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Tom Parnell, Karen Strehlke, Mark Vincent, Gloria Davenport, Anita Addington and Nancy Brower.
The services and expertise they provide to New Providence varied, but they all shared a belief in the church’s vision.
“In today’s difficult economic environment, it’s wonderful to see a large construction project completed in Detroit, which will benefit the community,” said Fitzpatrick, who represents Comerica’s Small Business Specialty Loan Group. “In addition, the New Providence building is an architectural model for other churches to follow in successfully converting an abandoned retail center to a vital church community center.”
Strehlke, who worked closely with the church at the beginning of the relationship, said, “The construction of New Providence was one of the most rewarding lending relationships I have been involved in. From the first time I met Pastor Jennings and his faith-based community in 1999, I believed in his vision, leadership, and prophecy to build a house of worship which reaches beyond its own walls and brings its many ministries to the community. It has truly been an honor and privilege to have been a part of this project.”
For Davenport, a Comerica banking center manager and 17-year New Providence member, the ultimate success of the church will be determined by how much is given.
“You name it, we do it, in terms of community programming,” said Davenport, a native of Atlanta, who came to Detroit in 1971. “But we still need to do a lot more giving for our community. We have to be committed to what we do and how we do it in terms of family, our community and our church.”
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