A. R. Bernard

On Sunday afternoon, I was honored to offer the invocation at the swearing-in ceremony for the Honorable Dagmar Plaza-Gonzalez, Brooklyn’s newest judge serving in the Civil Court of New York City’s Kings County. This moment reflects her longstanding commitment to service and the community's trust in her leadership. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!

On Sunday April 19th, NYPD’s largest and oldest religious fraternal organization held its 106th annual communion breakfast. As NYPD Chief Chaplain, I shared the dais with Chaplains Romano, Limongi and Franco while Police Commissioner Jessica Tish addressed the gathering. (@nypdnews @nypdpc)

Earlier this week, I stood alongside community leaders in support of @GovKathyHochul’s new initiative Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes. This effort will provide up to $70 million of grant funding to help strengthen in-person and cyber security of community-based organizations. Additionally, she proposed legislation for a 25-foot buffer zone around New York houses of worship, which would prohibit protestors from entering or interrupting services. Security grants are not optional, they’re a moral necessity. If we’re serious about confronting hate and protecting religious freedom, then we must be just as serious about safeguarding the spaces where that freedom is lived out. To learn more about this program, visit governor.ny.gov/apply-securing….

Why we support the City Council’s Safe Access plan nydailynews.com/2026/02/26/why… (via @nydailynews)

I look forward to further serving my community while supporting our officers in this dual role alongside Cardinal Timothy Dolan (@cardinaldolan). We have shared nearly 20 years of friendship and partnership, including our leadership through the New York Commission of Religious Leaders, and previously stood together to support the department and the city through times of crisis in 2014. As Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch (@nypdpc) said, “It was very clear to me and, of course, no surprise that both understood instinctively the tremendous weight of serving in law enforcement. I have long seen the role of the chaplains’ unit at the N.Y.P.D. — one of the major roles — is to make sure that our officers never have to bear that weight alone.” It is an honor to help cast vision for the spiritual and moral life of nearly 50,000 NYPD employees — both law enforcement and civilian personnel. Read the full @nytimes feature: nytimes.com/2026/02/09/nyr… @nypdnews

Barack Obama: former President of the United States, constitutional scholar, Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Michelle Obama: Princeton and Harvard Law graduate, former First Lady, global advocate for health, education, and families. These are Americans whose lives reflect intellect, discipline, and decades of public service. To depict them as apes is not satire or politics, it is racial dehumanization, drawing from one of history’s ugliest traditions. Every human being bears the image of God. When that truth is mocked, justice itself is sacrificed on the altar of racial ideology. Disagree fiercely. Debate freely. Never dehumanize.

Continuing my fantstic and fulfilling Jakarta trip. Meeting with 2,000 leaders, three Sunday services, television interview with Pastor Jeffrey Rachment, and indigenous food of course. Thank you Jakarta Praise Community Church @jpcchurch! What a Blessing!!

Does God Want Us Rich? Food for thought. What do you think?

Happy 70th Birthday Pastor A.R. Bernard!

Thank you for the opportunity during the past days to share moments from my life with you. Your presence and connection have added joy and meaning to my journey.   With a heart full of thankfulness, I look forward to the future with hope and anticipation. Onward we go. Let’s continue this journey together, dear friends.

Today I celebrate my 70th Birthday. I had a conversation with my 91 year old Mom who is still living and in good health. My wife of 51 years told me she loves me. I held our two month old, 26th grandchild in my arms. As I reflect on 70 years of God’s love, life and light, I recognize that sometimes the odds are irrelevant!

Reflecting on my 50s, I’m filled with immense gratitude for the incredible path we've walked together at Christian Cultural Center. In these transformative years, we've not only established @CCCinfoorg as a beacon of spiritual strength in NYC and beyond but also crafted a vibrant community that touches hearts worldwide. Through each step, we've been driven by a collective mission – to uplift, support, and stand together. From lending a helping hand during Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy to raising our voices for justice in the wake of Sean Bell's tragic shooting, we've been united in purpose. But our journey didn't stop there. We stood proud, hosting the President of the Council of Churches of NY's inauguration, extending a warm welcome to the President of Israel on his inaugural US visit, and countless more remarkable moments that etch memories in our hearts.

On July 2, 1989, we sowed the seeds of faith at Christian Life Center (which has blossomed into the vibrant Christian Cultural Center we cherish today). This building was the first piece of property we owned. From 625 members to 11,000 strong, God's grace has truly prevailed. Another cherished moment that has shaped the tapestry of my own journey was my 25th wedding anniversary to the love of my life, Karen, and the joy of renewing our vows surrounded by love and family. The journey of 25 years, from humble beginnings to this beautiful milestone, reminds us all that life is a canvas painted with moments of joy, challenges, and unwavering love.

Next week I will embark on the seventh decade of my life! In celebration of this blessed milestone, I’d like to invite you to peek into some of the most pivotal moments throughout my journey. I’m calling this celebration through memories and photos, “Seven Days, Seven Decades”. I intend on highlighting as much as I can incapsulate into these seven monumental reflections. My hope is that through these seven days I will be able to draw you closer to me and in turn together we can evolve in our connectivity. 🧵

Orlando! Are you ready? Join us for the opening of Christian Cultural Center - Orlando location THIS Sunday, August 6th at 10am. I am excited and hope you are too. For more info go to cccinfo.org/events @CCCinfoorg

Here’s a little about the term “Occupy.” I am excited to invest the lessons of my own experiences and knowledge into our community as we learn what it truly means to OCCUPY. Make sure you follow along + tag a friend who may benefit as well!