Gospel Tabernacle Church, a longstanding pillar of faith and service on the west side of Detroit with 300 members and counting, with multiple locations, including Pontiac and soon Flint, is deepening its dedication to the local community by unveiling its soon-to-be-open food pantry this Saturday following its recent overhaul renovation. Revered for its dynamic and all-embracing faith community, the Gospel Tabernacle Church has stood as a shining light of optimism, consistently working to fulfill the spiritual and material requirements of its congregation and the broader Detroit area.
Bishop Michael T. Martin described the extensive scope of the construction and renovation project, emphasizing that practically every aspect of the building had to be addressed. This included the thorough refurbishment of all woodwork, the complete overhaul of the electrical system, the comprehensive renovation of the HVAC system, as well as the replacement of every single door and window in the building.
“This is a 100-year-old building. You can’t imagine it being deplorable, right? Everything was renovated; the pillars, the arches were eaten away down to the wood and the foundation. Animals were living here, and squatters were living here, too. The Lord has tremendously blessed us,” Bishop Martin said.
Bishop Martin was astounded to find that the building was up for grabs, especially considering its remarkable architectural features.
“We drove by to see it and took some pictures, not only this building, but several others. The brick, the stone, the wood, a walnut wood, unlike some of the others and the potential that we get, we could really serve the community that is in the heart and bedrock of the community, and that it is an area that needs some restoration, not just the building, but the surrounding areas,” Bishop Martin said.
Post Renovation, Sanctuary, Image courtesy of Gospel Tabernacle Church
The recent expansion of Gospel Tabernacle Church demonstrates its enduring commitment to nurturing spiritual development, advocating for social justice, and securing comprehensive well-being for all community members. It also includes the addition of residences on site. Currently, two homes are attached to the church, with plans to accommodate five families in the residences. This expansion reflects the church’s dedication to providing its members a supportive and inclusive community environment.
“It’s a community here, and we’re trying to become that Community Church where we can serve the people in this community. So not just the building, but the potential of the building and the surrounding areas, the acreage that we could acquire and do something but to help the community, we used to have more ministry than we had building. Now, we’ve got more building than we have ministry, and it’s causing us to expand,” Bishop Martin expressed.
A recently renovated church with land and extra space to fill with community resources also has a food pantry on site. It was created over twenty years ago by Pastor Yvette Harper, who has also been in the ministry for over twenty years. Since the church’s food pantry program was launched, close to 10,000 individuals have received support from this valuable service. The upcoming opening of the new pantry on the lower level represents a necessary expansion of Gospel Tabernacle Church.
“It’s just ironic that God placed us where the need is so great because it’s pretty much a food desert in this area. Although there’s a local grocery store nearby, there are no major chains in this area, for at least a four-mile radius, that offer quality food at a reasonable price,” Pastor Harper said.
Gospel Tabernacle also runs a Mobile Food Pantry at Noble Elementary, extending its reach even further. This initiative extends the church’s outreach efforts beyond its physical location, reaching people in their greatest time of need.
Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, the outreach programs can make a significant impact. They play a crucial role in supporting the operations of the food pantry. Their help goes beyond just distributing groceries; they assist in carrying heavy boxes of food to the cars, ensuring that older members can easily access their meals. Their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment genuinely make a difference in the community.
“We’re not this big institution. We have individuals who give their time, their effort, their energy, their sweat, blood, sweat, and tears, they put into it, and we’re thankful because we could not do it without them,” Bishop Martin said.
Gospel Tabernacle Church’s unwavering commitment to positively impacting the community through acts of service and the promotion of faith is a powerful example of the meaningful contributions that churches can make in addressing social needs. Through its expanding initiatives, the Gospel Tabernacle Church remains dedicated to fortifying the community by providing hope, guidance, and essential assistance throughout the vibrant city of Detroit.
The grand opening of the new food pantry will mark an important milestone in the church’s enduring dedication to supporting the residents of Detroit through its ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity in the community. These types of programs, deeply connected to the church’s mission, serve as a crucial support system for individuals and families facing challenges accessing healthy and nutritious food options.
Before Renovation, Sanctuary, Image courtesy of Gospel Tabernacle Church
The church partners with the local food bank, Forgotten Harvest, to ensure the pantry consistently supplies essential food items. This partnership is vital in addressing food insecurity in the community. While the contributions from the congregation and local residents are also pivotal in maintaining the pantry’s inventory, the collaboration with Forgotten Harvest amplifies the impact of these donations, enabling the pantry to serve more individuals and families in need.
“This is very rewarding because we’re a community-based church, and we get joy from reaching outside of the four walls. So, having this building and the residents being used to seeing it in shambles and seeing it now resurrected and looking beautiful, I think we’re doing a great service to the community,” Pastor Harper said.
The food pantry will operate twice a month, with distribution hours on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It will offer a wide range of fresh produce, canned goods, and non-perishables.
The food pantry will be open twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It will be located at Gospel Tabernacle Church at 12935 Buena Vista, Detroit, MI 48226. The distribution process will start at Meyers and travel west on Buena Vista to the church.
The pantry will provide a diverse selection of fresh produce, canned goods, and non-perishable items. Additionally, to assist seniors, the disabled, and families with young children, food boxes will be brought directly to their vehicles. This initiative demonstrates Gospel Tabernacle’s commitment to reaching out to individuals in need.
“We’ve been doing this for 35 years; when everyone was leaving, when there was a mass Egypt Exodus out of the city, we made a decision that we’re going to stay, and we’re going to fight for the people in the city because we have something to give,” Bishop Martin said.
For more information about the event or how to support the food pantry, visit www.gtministries.org
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