By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus.com

Posted 07-13-09

 

 

When members of the city's oldest black congregation decide to visit Bermuda, they often look in-house for travel tips.

 

The person who often serves as their tour guide also leads their spiritual journey, the Rev. Michael R. Bean Sr.

 

His knowledge on the islands is so extensive because Hamilton Parish, Bermuda, is his native land.

 

Bean trained as a journalist for two years with the Royal Gazette and served two years as a United Nations volunteer in England, where he worked with community service organizations and troubled youths before answering the call to ministry.

 

He served his home church, Bethel A.M.E. Church, then attended Clark Atlanta University, where he received a bachelor's in psychology. He later received a master of divinity, master of religion education and doctor of ministry, all from United Theological Seminary in Dayton.

 

Bean served churches in Belpre and Cleveland before accepting the call in 1989 to lead St. Paul A.M.E. Church on E. Long Street. Even if you add up all of his time in those various pulpits, the total is but a fraction of the time that St. Paul has maintained a presence in the city.

 

In 1823, Moses Freeman and 12 followers separated from Town Street Church to form an independent society, Others joined them and the congregation formed on Straight Alley, now Lazelle Street, as Bethel Church. They built their present church circa 1840.

 

Churches aren't exempt from the economic challenges that face society at large, but Bean doesn't want that to be the focus of ministry at St. Paul.

 

"In the coming year, the No. 1 commitment is a focus on God's spiritual stimulus plan for our lives, for these times, which are truly testing us as a people and as a country," he said.

 

For St. Paul, such a plan embraces all of its building space, including a wing that houses a medical center and social services. The church's efforts also connect with the rest of the King-Lincoln-Bronzeville District and the larger community.

 

The neighborhood used to boast of a dozen primary care physicians and a handful dentists in addition to the city's first black hospital, which was started by Dr. Charles Method, a member of St. Paul. For many years, however, those medical care providers were no longer found in the neighborhood until the church sought to fill the void.

 

"We have been successful in bringing in a primary care physican and nurse practitioner," Bean said. "We look forward to bringing other health professionals to the wellnes center as we move closer to 100 percent occupancy of the wellness center."

 

The center houses a program dealing with juvenile obesity, which is overseen by Nationwide Children's Hospital, as well as a computer technology program for young people and a caterer that provides food service for outside groups as well as church events.

 

Leap of Faith liturgical dance company splits its time between the church and the Lincoln Theatre, where it is among 10 resident arts groups.

 

One of its popular annual outreach events is Jam N Jefferson Park, a two-day block party with vendors, visual artists, crafts people and musical performers.The church also holds its Sunday worship service in the park during the jam.

 

Some of the parish's outreach stems from being part of the Third District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of Bishop C. Garnett Henning,

 

"He's an activist bishop," Bean said.

 

Last year, church leaders took out time for the annual district conference to canvas the Linden area in a campaign to get out the vote.

 

St. Paul's prison ministry, which has been active for 14 years, "has moved to another level by going into the federal prisons for the first time, Bean said.

 

"The Rev. Barbara Colvin, an ex-offender, has brought a sensitivity to this ministry that has now spread throughout the Third Episcopal District," he said.

 

Bean said he sees good things happening with other members of the city's faith community.

 

"There are many organizations out there, such as Faith Vote Columbus and such as B.R.E.A.D. that are nurturing the ecumenical spirit of cooperation among the various congregations," he said.

 

Nurturing the St. Paul family comes not only from the pastor, but also from Dr. Canise Y.Bean; first lady, who is an associate professor in the College of Dentistry at Ohio State University. They have two children, Michael Jr. and Yvette Floranita.