The Brooklyn Tabernacle — Attraction in New York

Deep Concerns Regarding Conduct and Misrepresentation in New Hope Ministry

I visited The Brooklyn Tabernacle a few months ago, since returning to America after living abroad for almost a decade. My cousin was a member in the past and I've been visiting on/off throughout the years. I rededicated my life in March and attended services in person. Due to scheduling conflicts with weekend meetings, I have since been participating in virtual services.

I was raised in the church and, even as an adult, have continued to maintain my faith. However, I have chosen to keep my distance from churches, megachurches, and religious institutions because, too often, the behavior of individuals within them does not reflect the teachings of the Bible. Unfortunately, my recent experience has only reinforced this decision.

I was referred to a ministry where I was told I could receive help. Instead of receiving the support I urgently needed—as someone who is homeless and recently underwent surgery for fibroids—I was immediately asked if I had resources to help others. I want to emphasize that I am partially disabled, dealing with significant physical challenges, and should not have been treated as a source of support when I came seeking help myself.

Despite my health limitations and difficult circumstances, I attempted to coordinate a meeting with the person who was supposed to assist me—Phyllis. Due to transportation challenges and a prior, closed-door medical appointment that I clearly communicated in advance, we were unable to connect the first time. Rather than showing patience or understanding, she became angry and combative—behavior that is entirely inappropriate, especially for someone claiming to lead in a godly capacity.

She was allegedly supposed to help me obtain identification to retrieve my passport and mentioned a gift card—details about which were vague. But instead of following through on her responsibility, she became increasingly difficult, sending me messages at inappropriate times and expecting me to chase her around the city just to receive the help I was promised. When I asked why it was so difficult for her to stay at a designated meeting spot, she responded with hostility—behavior that is not just unprofessional, but deeply un-Christlike.

Let me be clear: if you are vulnerable, homeless, or disabled, I would strongly caution you against seeking help from this ministry or from Phyllis. This experience was not just disappointing—it was damaging. This is not the first time I’ve had to deal with someone in ministry who used their title as a shield while failing to live by the values they preach. And I pray it is the last.

I have documentation—emails, texts, and phone records—to support everything I’ve shared. This isn’t hearsay; it’s fact.

To those in leadership: if you are not genuinely prepared to serve the people you claim to help—especially those facing homelessness or disability—then step down. Stop exploiting vulnerable people and calling it “ministry.” The harm you cause is real.

To the community: you deserve better. Seek support from organizations that are transparent, accountable, and truly rooted in compassion—not just...

Decent church. Although, I have been attending this Church for years now, I don't believe I'll be returning due to the experience I had a couple a weeks ago. Here is what happened I invited someone to meet me there. I held the seat and told the usher someone was meeting me. When the person arrived. Maybe a 2-3 mins after they just let about a hundred people in, my friend was being denied after walking in. My friend text me and told me what was happening. So, I told the usher I was going to get my friend, he said ok. I get down there and the security (or whoever) are giving me a bunch of excuses as to why my friend couldn't enter. I explained to them that there are over a hundred seats unoccupied and I was specifically holding a seat right next to me. Then I was told the Pastor was preaching so my friend couldn't enter after the sermon starts. Meanwhile I just left the sanctuary and Pastor didn't begin preaching yet, he had just finished announcements and had just begun to tell a funny story. The silly part about that is they were willing to let me go back to my seat. Which I did, but just to get my stuff and leave. Which means she could've went back with me when I went there and we could've just Sat down and enjoyed the service. Smh So, you can't saying was to avoid distractions (as they like to claim), because now I went down, up, and the back down to leave and never come back. Meanwhile all they had to do was let my friend up once. Pure ridiculousness. This isn't the first time I've had issues with them claiming they were full when they weren't. Trying to force people to line up in a line to wait an entire hour for the next service. Smh What if my friend had to go to work afterwards and that was the only service they could make??

Four crucial points that I want to point out:

We live in a day and age when people don't want to go to church, so the last thing you want to do is deny someone access to God's message. For whatever reason!

I was already inside holding the invited friend's seat (in an almost empty aisle) from among over 100 empty seats not being occupied.

As a church who needs to reach people, no one should be turned away. Period. If Christ himself was there in physical form and knew someone wanted to get in and I was already holding a seat for that person, He wouldn't have denied anyone. (See Luke 5:17-39)

You don't know what people are going through or what people go through to get to Church. If there's still enough time for an alter call, they should let people in. What if that person I was meeting was lost and wanted to give their life to God after the sermon?? The denial of people entering the Church after a certain time (when there's still over 100 seats available) is not Kingdom business, it's new age politics. Shame on anyone who plays a part in it.

My Father has been preaching for over 40yrs and my mother has preached at one point in her life. Never have I known someone to be denied access into a church if they were just trying to attend and...

I grew up in this church. I was 15 yrs old (I am 65 now) when I joined membership at 543 Atlantic Avenue back in 1977. Pastor Cymbala and Carol have been pastoring and still Pastor this church. It is a non-denomiation multi-nationality diverse age group of believers with a social posted church around the world All are welcome. They were founded on prayer, worship, and the word of God. (Bible) They moved to Flatbush Avenue and are now located 17 Smith Street, Downtown Brooklyn.

I highly reccomend this church. Their services are 9:00 & 12:00 and recently opened a service in spanish at 3:00.

When you enter this building you can feel a sense of God's presense. You are immediately warnly greeted and ushered to a seat. The services are vibrant and begin with Congregational worship. There's a live band and the choir sings under an annointing. There is a great sense of fellowship as the congregation are instructed to meet and greet one another.

The Pastors and Deacons are all so aproachable and kind. The Senoir Pastor Jim Cymbala and Co-Pastors share passages of scripture from the bible on a screen and rightly applys the word of God to the people regarding their heart's condition and on their daily living. The gospel is preached here. There is a collection an offering mostly done on line or in baskets as you exit if you prefer. Communion is served about once a month, and baptism in water as well. There is an annex building where Sunday school is conducted and many programs for teens and young adults. There are bible studies avaiable for men and women This church also support various missionaries.

They are founded on Prayer. This their most important service. They meet at every Tuesdays at 12:00 noon for an hour of quiet meditative prayer. Also at 7:00 pm for a time of worship, and intercession. at 5:30 the doors open and at 6:00 -7:00 you can have someone pray with you one on one.

We Thank God for this place. Especially when it reopened after the CoVid epidemic. I am greatful to be able to hug and be together with my brothers and sisters once again.

Parisoner, Mr. & Mrs. Edward and...