Berea stands on the shoulders of two great patriarchal leaders: Bishop Rosezell Rutley and Dr. Darafela Rutley. They have inspired, counseled, reared thousands of marriages, families, and leaders over the span of their 20+ years of pastoring and almost 40 years of ministry. Bishop Rutley began his television ministry in the late 1980's called "Jesus Is The Answer". Dr. Darafela Rutley authored her first book "The Secret To Successful Relationships" in 2015. They have made national television appearances on T.C.T, The Word Network, and RBN Network. They are most known for their genuine love for people.
BISHOP ROSEZELL RUTLEY
AND DR. DARAFELA RUTLEY
FOLLOW DR. DARA RUTLEY
FOLLOW BISHOP RUTLEY
The year was 1991when eight spirit filled believers united under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, along with Pastor Rosezell & Sis. Dara Rutley. During this initial meeting, our foundational scriptures became Acts 17:10-12
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea, who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, and that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore, many of them believed; also of honorable women, which were Greeks and men, not a few.”
The name for this church was Berea taken from these scriptures.
The outreach scripture was 1 Samuel 22:2
“And everyone that was in distress, and everyone that was in debt, and everyone that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him (David) and he became a captain over them and there were with him about four hundred men.”
Pastor Rosezell Rutley stated, “These will be the scriptures on which this church will be founded. This was the condition they were in when sent by God to David; but not the condition they were to remain in.”
By the end of December 1991 the Lord blessed us and the ministry was growing.With the help of the Lord, the old Jehovah’s Witness building at 600 East Pike was purchased by a member. Amazingly, just 9 weeks afterwards we moved into that building on the 2nd Sunday of January 1992. By March 1996 the building was paid off in full.
On March 15, 1992, Elder Joseph Morris of Gethsemane Apostolic church of Detroit, Michigan officially installed Bishop Rutley as Pastor of Berea Family Tabernacle of Faith Church. Having out-grown 600 E. Pike, and prior to our 9th Anniversary, we moved into our present edifice at 68 West Walton Blvd in Pontiac, MI on November 26, 2000. Bishop William Abney dedicated the church on April 29, 2001.
Under Bishop Rutley’s leadership many ministries and building projects have been organized : Jesus is the Answer (on local cable), Wednesday noon bible class, Thursday Night Prayer & Saints Class, Christian Education Department, Outreach Ministry, Single’s Ministry, Sisterhood and Brotherhood Ministries, Youth Department, Marriage Ministry, Leadership and Development Ministry, the Usher’s Board, Nurses Guild, Choirs, Media Ministry, Bishop’s Arms,
Hospitality Ministry, Mime and Praise Dancers, and the Drug & Alcohol recovery support group.
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In late 2014, Bishop Rosezell Rutley decided it was time to step down as the senior Pastor of Berea after 23 years of faithful service. Sunday, December 28th 2014, Pastor Darick L. Rutley, Sr. was installed as the second Pastor of Berea Family Tabernacle of Faith church before hundreds of friends and family by Bishop Ira Combs, Jr.
After 6 years of service, God called Pastor Darick to minister abroad and, in September of 2020, Bishop Rutley resumed the role of senior pastor. The Lord is still making Himself known in miraculous ways. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. What a mighty God we serve!