Havenscourt Community ChurchHavenscourt Community Church1. We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative word of God.
2. We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
3. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ: in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to heaven as our intercessor seated at the right hand of God the Father, and in His personal return to earth in power and glory.
4. We believe that an absolute necessity for individuals to have salvation from sin and its consequences is that each person must experience a new birth by the Holy Spirit.
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
6. We believe in the resurrection of both and saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
During the 1920’s families gathered around radios in their homes for various entertainment. Dr. Louis L. Sherman, inspired by the media of radio and its potential for reaching the masses, wanted to use radio broadcasts to help families stay healthy by teaching them how the human body functioned. In March 1925, Dr. Sherman found a place in East Oakland at 1444 Havenscourt Boulevard where he established a radio station and erected a transmitter tower at the rear of the property. The call letters of the radio station were KFUS. The tower later beamed its beautiful phrase “JESUS SAVES.”
Dr. Sherman observed that many children in the Havenscourt Neighborhood of East Oakland did not have a church available to them where they could attend Sunday School. Therefore, after the inaugural launch of the radio station, Dr. Sherman erected a small chapel where children and adults could learn about the Eternal Life that God gives.
In 1931, a small church community was formed. Reverend Irving Ford and Reverend Baldwin Sherman served as Co-Pastors of the new church–sharing the responsibility for the ministry with a vision that its message should reach to the ends of the earth. Frequently, on Sunday afternoons, the Pastors and congregation went door-to-door inviting neighbors to join in worshipping the Lord. Boys and girls clubs were formed as a means to strengthen youth in the Christian way of life.
The 1950’s brought a period of transition. The Havenscourt Colonial Church had been located in a Caucasian community; however, during this time many families migrated to the suburbs leaving numerous vacancies in the church. New residents consisting of African Americans moved into the area. Pastor Baldwin Sherman’s philosophy was that “as long as there are people in the community we will stay and minister to them.” A committee was formed to welcome the new residents, within a short time, vacancies were filled, and the congregation was working together for the love of Christ. The church was renamed “Havenscourt Community Church” –all were welcome.
On January 1, 1964, Pastor Baldwin Sherman was called to the presence of the Lord. In 1969, Reverend Claude Wilson, accompanied by his wife Marion and their son Esteban came to Havenscourt. With humility and grace, Pastor Wilson served the congregation of Havenscourt Community Church and the entire Oakland community for forty-five (45) years.
Pastor Wilson was extremely dedicated to his congregation and actively committed to his civic leadership responsibilities. Under the ministry and direction of Pastor Wilson, the support of dedicated church leaders, and a strong member base and congregation, Havenscourt Community Church continued to grow and move forward.
Havenscourt Community Church is extremely proud of being actively involved and financially supportive in the effective ministries of several home and foreign missionaries and missionary organizations including: Missionaries Theodosia McKery, Mary Walker, Ray and Sophie de la Haye, Esther Matteson, Grace Sherman, Bud and Shirley Walker, Lenard McGee, Wycliff Bible Translators, Young Voice Mission, and Each Child Counts Foundation.
On May 9, 2014, the Lord called Pastor Claude E. Wilson, to his heavenly home. For the three years following his death, the members of Havenscourt Community Church remained steadfast in our Christian faith and our commitment to engaged participation in church activities.
On September 1, 2017, Rev. Gary T. Harris became the new Senior Pastor of Havenscourt Community Church. We, the members, look forward with continued support and participation, to achieving the vision that God has given Pastor Harris for Havenscourt Community Church.
Pastor Gary Harris was born and raised in Oakland, CA and achieved his formal education in local schools and universities. As an alumnus of Castlemont High School, Pastor Gary holds an Associate’s Degree in Social Sciences from Laney College; both a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Cultures and Spirituality from Holy Names University; as well as, a graduate-level Certificate of Non-Profit Management from California State University-Eastbay. In addition to his academic accomplishments, he is the proud father of two adult sons and an adult daughter; as well as the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren.
Pastor Gary became an ordained Minister of the Gospel in 1980. In his many years of church ministry, he has served as a Church Trustee, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Pastor, Bible Study Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Assistant to the Pastor, Director of Christian Education, Usher, and Senior Pastor. He has also served on the Board of Directors of several religious and community organizations.
In addition to fulfilling his spiritual commitments and responsibilities, Pastor Gary is a credentialed and experienced youth developer who has strived to utilize proven best-practices to empower socially-oppressed girls and boys to overcome the obstacles that might prevent them from achieving their fullest potential. He has been employed as Executive Director of Operation Opportunity and Camp Fire Boys & Girls Oakland/Eastbay Council; Associate Director of Youth Education and Support Services and Child Assault Prevention Training Center of California; as well as a Special Education Teacher for the Oakland Unified School District.
Pastor Gary is a devout Christian who believes in community outreach and community involvement. He takes to heart the prevailing divine commandment given by Our Lord Jesus Christ who admonishes his followers to love one another with a self-sacrificing love.
Pastor Gary Harris became the Senior Pastor of Havenscourt Community Church on September 1st, 2017.