The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York gathered to honor religious leader, Rev. AR Bernard.
The New York Latter-day Saint Professional Association (NYLDSPA) gave its annual visionary leadership award to Reverend A. R. Bernard, founder and pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, the largest evangelical church in New York City.
The leadership award was given during the group's annual scholarship banquet, which raises funds to assist New York area youth in attending college. The banquet also promotes interfaith fellowship.
Latter Day Saints Elder, David L. Buckner, worked with Rev. Bernard on New York City’s Commission of Religious Leaders. Rev. Bernard is also Chair of the executive committee of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s statewide interfaith advisory council.
Elder Quentin Cook of the LDS explained “His [Rev. Bernard's] exemplary service in building faith and reducing suffering needs to be celebrated."
Rev. Bernard thanked the Latter Day Saints for providing supplies to the Christian Cultural Center’s food pantry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership with the LDS helped his church extend its reach of feeding 25,000 people to 135,000 people.
The banquet was held on June 8, 2024.
Previous honorees of NY-LDSPA’s leadership award include former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and former United States Senator Joseph Lieberman.