On October 10, 2021, this couple celebrated 56 years of marriage. Together they have 2 married adult
children and 4 grandchildren in other states. Their daughter, April Garcy is married and works as a
nurse, and their son Benjamin Bernard recently retired from the police force. The Cummings have been
members at Berean since 2005 after Pastor Cummings retired from the Northeastern Conference, and
they relocated back to GA.
MRS. LERINE CUMMINGS
Mrs. Cummings is a Licensed Practical Nurse and a Piano Instructor (she’s taught in schools and private
lessons). She plans to resume organ studies at Spellman with Dr. Joyce Johnson.
* My Happiest Moment: “When I decided to give my life to Jesus Christ while attending the Baptist
Church I was a member of. One Sunday when the pastor was giving his appeal, and the choir was singing
“All to Jesus I Surrender”, I decided then to fully surrender my life to the Lord at age 18. The following
year, I learned about the SDA Church in Youngstown, OH and took Bible Studies from Pastor Aaron
Brogden (deceased) who baptized me. Truly I can say that falling in love with’ Jesus brought me
abundant happiness, and is the best thing that I have ever done in my life.
* What’s My Favorite Thing to do on Sabbath?
“Each person I’m aware of that’s sick, are listed in my prayer journal, and I pray for them at my prayer alter.
In addition to them, I also pray for our church leaders, the family of God, and that God’s word will reach people
worldwide so that he can come back again and take us home to the mansions he’s prepared for his children.
PASTOR BENJAMIN CUMMINGS
Pastor Cummings was born to his parents, William & Margaret Cummings (both deceased) in St.
Petersburg, FL. He is the 2nd of 10 children (3 are deceased).
* When Did You Join the SDA Church?
“I heard of the SDA message at the age of 16, while attending a
tent meeting 1 block from our home. My parents would sit on our porch and hear all of the messages. At
the conclusion of those meetings which lasted about 2 months, I made a commitment to unite with the
SDA church. Even before I heard about the SDA church, I had a burden to become a minister while
growing up in the AME church where our parents required us to attend Sunday School every week. After
graduating from High School, I learned about Oakwood College. I told my parents that God would
provide as far as my tuition goes. So in addition to working on campus, I entered the Colporteur ministry
where I sold books every summer for 6 years to make money to help with my tuition. I graduated from
Oakwood College with a theology degree; then completed graduate school at Andrews University with a
Masters in Religion.
* How long have you been serving in ministry: I started my ministry in the Fall of 1960, and it lasted for
45 years.
These are some of the locations where I pastored or we where we served in the ministry:
1. Athens, GA which was my first job pastoring that paid $50/month. I built a church while there which
was the first SDA church for blacks (1960-1962).
2. LAKELAND DISTRICT: Lakeland, FL; Bartow, FL; Plant City, FL and Winter Haven, FL.
3. COLUMBIA/SOUTH CAROLINA DISTRICT: Columbia SC, Sumter SC, Johnston, SC, Augusta, GA
4. FT LAUDERDALE, FL DISTRICT: Ft. Lauderdale, Dania, Hollywood, Pompano Beach – built 2nd
church/Salem SDA Church.
5. NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE (served 28 years):
a. Berean in Boston, MA;
b. Linden SDA Church in Queens, NY (where we purchased a very spacious Jewish Synagogue).
c. Ebenezer SDA in Freeport Long Island, NY.
d. City Tabernacle SDA in NYC
e. Goshen SDA in Brooklyn, NY
f. Appointed the First Field Secretary for the Northeastern Conference
g. Appointed Ministerial Secretary for the Northeastern Conference
6. South Atlantic Conference (after retiring June 2004 and moving to Atlanta, GA):
Voice of Hope SDA Church in Toccoa, GA/ South Atlantic Conference where I served nearly 7 years as an
interim Pastor until March 2020.