Christian Cultural Center - Brooklyn Campus — Attraction in New York

Tried to set up pre-marital counseling. I've email the church, received no response. My GF's  crazy experience is below:

"My boyfriend and I have been attending CCC for about 5 yrs now and while the teaching by Dr. A.R. Bernard is absolutely amazing, we unfortunately may have to cut our losses. I reached out via email in 2020 to inquire about pre-marital counseling and received an email back from someone by the name of Alma Ricketts that the person needed to speak with me first. I provided my number, however I never received a call or an email back. Fast forward to 2024, we figured we'd give CCC another shot as we love the church and still had been attending. This time, on Monday, July 15th (approx 3:15pm) I called the church directly to get more information on the pre-marital counseling as it is not readily available on the website. The woman who answered was nice, and stated I could find the info on the website. Being that I already checked, I asked her to guide me through it while I had her on the phone. The instructions provided led me to a link that asked me to sign in, so it was not readily available. She then asked my name and searched their system to see if I had an account, which came up as my boyfriend and I paid tithes regularly. I was advised that my subscription wasn't activated and that she would need to resubscribe me as an alternative way to get the information. I told her I did not want to subscribe to emails and only wanted information on the pre-marital counseling. She began to tell me about the specifics of the course, however I wanted to see it in writing. I was confused as to why the information was not readily accessible on the website and why I have to be subscribed to emails, just to learn more about the course. She then reactivated my subscription which sent me an email to reset my password. After doing so, logging into my account and following the same instructions, the link and page to the information said the form expired. I was told that the Summer course had just passed, which is understandable but it still did not explain why no information was available. The woman then tried to access the information on her own account and received the same error. Ultimately, she had to search through previously sent emails on the pre-marital course and forward it to me. She also informed me that we must be official members of the church as a prerequisite to take the pre-marital course and when I asked when the next one was, she told me she didn't have a date and that I could call back to check or subscribe to their emails. Meaning if it didn't align before the dates of the marital course we may be stuck waiting another year before the next one. After reviewing the forwarded email, the other prerequisite to the pre-marital course is purchasing the pastor's book, which would be at a discounted rate. Why not just include the book in the price of the course or allow it to be rented out for people who are already paying for the course? Not to mention, the tithes we've paid all these yrs didn't benefit us when it came to this. Neither one of us had to be members in order for them to recieve tithes from us for over half a decade. Yet soon as we tried to access a beneficial resource we have to be members. This was all way too much of a hassle and a futile attempt at increasing book sales. While we would have loved to get our pre-marital counseling here, it will be easier for us to just get it elsewhere (and pay tithes elsewhere). We'll just catch their Sunday services for free online in the future."

My Update (the BF):

August 2024 they've finally sent out a random email blast to everyone that showed when all the courses are available (links provided) and once again was a hassle. Required way too much info just to get to the first page (of 5). Then when you get through it's a constant "page expired" page that you can't get passed. After reading a rundown they state that if they don't book enough couples they'll just cancel the class. After all the waiting you have to do just to get...

Allow me to capture & Share the true blessings I receive my 1st visit 6/9/24, 10-12.AM. Visiting pastor AR Bernard, as well as his magnificent choir, & staff of true Men & Woman of God@ Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. I Am in awe. I’ve been listening on you tube intermittently on & off for months. Today All those who greeted me as I entered, and walked to my seat, were kind, attentive, brother’s & sister’s embracing me, guiding me. To all those whom I shared this NEW DAY with me All I can say is in my 68 years of of living on this earth , and 51 years of church going, I have found myself in a true church of God. Tears of joy still rumble in my heart. My search is finally over that lasted 18 years of visiting many church’s thru friends acknowledging my thirst in my search, including my own family’s church’s I am finally where I’m supposed to be, knowing God has made a place for me to learn & Grow in enlightenment. Today AR Bernard taught me of the parables Jesus taught to the masses during his sojourn on this earth, focusing on Matthew Chapter 13:1- 20+. Pastor Bernard and his team of phenomenal faithful pastors opened my eyes, ears & heart I’ve longed for & search for! . I’m still pinching myself, for I am flabbergasted, by what I Saw, heard, & experienced in my heart. Trust me I have been begging God for so long for this gift. I have been disappointed by the fare that has been offered to me in the past , but now I am free due to Gods grace. I have found a place of sanctuary finally that truly offers the truth of Gods words, faithfulness, charity, caring for each other as Jesus did for us, thru his sacrifice for our sins. Explaining to me as well as us all God’s explanation, of the real truth behind his word’s. Words which requires the faithful to accept the sometimes 3-4 levels of knowledge depending upon our own embracement of God’s gift of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven thru parables of which we that are willing to accept this teaching & by of our acceptance in seeing with our eye’s, hearing with our ears, feeling with my heart, made me renew my past often times wobbly dedication to our father, to my new truly dedication As God promised in his parables He who awaits his children to abide with him. Thank you !!!! Soooooo much for doing Gods work, who’s knowledge, & teaching’s have changed my life. Pls forgive me for this long review but God has guided my word’s to share, & who knows this confession may enlighten, inspire, or draw others...

3/17/19 This is NOT my 1st time here but I couldn't let the day end without writing this review. Today we visited the Brooklyn Campus 1030 service which started at 1045. Upon walking into the North Side my 16yo son was walking in behind me before I could whisper remove your hat! I looked back at him and he did so. There was a Male Usher who was standing with a female Usher when he saw my son's hair. He said Ohhh God you might want to go to the bathroom to TIDY UP. They both started to laugh (Hysterically) but the female usher couldn't contain herself she laughed and laughed until she couldn't BREATHE. She could be heard laughing even as we walked to our seat. My son just smiled and even though I was furious I tried to smile & get back into the spirt, for about 20 mins my son was self conscious he tried fluffing his hair which he wears in a wild curly afro with the sides shaved. I told him. He looks fine. Your beautiful, God said come as you are. This only made me more Angry, I didn't want to sang and felt a pain in my heart because my son was hurt. This is why I'm writing the REVIEW: TEENS NOT TO MEANTION GROWN ADULTS DON'T WANT TO COME TO CHURCH BCUZ OF THEY HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR OR THEY ARE SELF CONSCIOUS ABT HAIR, LOOKS ETC. Adults go BROKE trying to impress others in the church and when those appearances can't be kept up members stop going. I had to apologize on behalf of two grown adults today and that should've never happened. I'm also proud of my son bcuz he was embarrassed but handled himself professionally. Unlike those two Ushers at Christian Cultural Center. Shame on both of them. (Side Comment there is way too much singing compared to the length of the service the word Is usually good but not enough time spent on the word) We prayed before going to bed tonight as we do most nights but I added to my prayer that outside people (no matter how holy they claim to be) don't turn him Away from God because of there...