Pastor Reginald Flynn of Foss Avenue Baptist Church teaches a message that challenges members to play a big role in the church and in the community

“We are a voice of Christ in the community by putting into action a holistic approach to ministry that rebuilds, and transforms lives spiritually, economically, politically and physically,” says Flynn.

Members of Foss Avenue Baptist Church take that message to heart. Leaders recite the vision statement every Sunday and Flynn says many in every generation in the church have learned and memorized it. Those who do not have it memorized certainly remember and understand they are a voice for Christ, he says.

To make certain the congregation’s voice is heard, Flynn routinely asks them for input as to what they should do in the community as a people of faith.

‘I am deeply concerned about the absence of healthy nutritional options for poor people on the North End of Flint, particularly for children.” – Pastor Reginald Flynn, Foss Avenue Baptist Church

Foss Avenue Baptist Church has a rich history of community engagement and bringing the vision to life. It provides food and clothing to more than 300 residents on a weekly basis through it clothing center and a food bank.

In the past, it has operated a credit union, an endowment fund, daycare, and an economic development corporation. This kind of involvement has long been a part of the church’s culture and also attracts residents to the church.

Flynn’s concepts of the role of the church in the community is partly inspired by such historical figures as Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, who founded the “Free African Society” in the 18^th century, which provided aide to emancipated or newly-freed African slaves in America.

The Free African Society taught the freed slaves leadership skills and provided a foundation for them to strengthen their local community and provided support for sick, widows and fatherless children. It also taught leadership skills and gave men and women a foundation where they could help to strengthen their community.

That’s precisely what Foss Avenue Baptist Church continues to do under Flynn’s leadership.

A native of Flint, Flynn left the city for many years in pursuit of higher education, later graduating from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. After graduating he stayed in Columbia for some time doing ministry, but always knew he would return home to Flint.

He came back in 2008. Based upon his own spirit of activism, Flynn says the historic Foss Avenue Baptist Church was the only church he applied for when seeking a pastoral position in Flint.

Still when he came home he felt like he had come back to a third world country and was flabbergasted by the disinvestment in the north end and the blight.

Determined to do something about it, he launched the North Flint Reinvestment Corporation to help spur economic development in the north side.  The goal was to inspire what he calls holistic neighborhood revitalization. That means revitalization would not solely focus upon quality housing, but also on health and wellness, economic development, and early childhood education.

Flynn started out with volunteers. Today, there are six people on the administrative team, 42 employees, a $500,000 budget, and the organization continues to expand to grow more jobs for residents.

The first phase of the Reinvestment Corporation’s efforts was to strengthen the early learning centers in North Flint.  Flynn helped found Eagle’s Nest Academy, a tuition- free public-school academy serving kindergarten through 5^th grade.

A Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is also administered at Eagle’s Nest. The GSRP is a preschool program for four-year-old children who are at a high risk of educational failures.

The North Flint Revitalization Corporation is also partnering with local law enforcement, Hamilton Community Health Network, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Byme Criminal Justice Innovation Program to help reduce crime and increase public safety in Flint’s 1^st and 3^rd Wards.

Hamilton Community Health Network recently received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Flynn hopes it will play a significant role in gradually increasing police presence in the North End, helping to make it safer for residents.

Flynn and the North End Reinvestment Center are also developing a community food investment campaign, which will allow residents to own a full-service grocery store in their own community.

‘I am deeply concerned about the absence of healthy nutritional options for poor people on the North End of Flint, particularly for children,” says Flynn.

The great abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, once said “if there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

And Flynn is confident that, regardless challenges, the struggle will provide Flint residents and future generations a brighter future.

Editor’s Note: To learn more about the North Flint Reinvestment Corporation visit northflintcorp.com

You can find more information about Eagles Nest Academy at: eaglesnestflint.org

You can learn more about the North Flint Food Market on their facebook page. Support the North Flint Food Market here.

See more of TheHUB’s coverage of Flint’s faithful:

Empowering the People: Bishop Urundi Knox is bringing change to Flint’s churches

Millennial Ministry: Pastor Patrick Wayne Sanders engages youth to ‘opt-in’ to faith

Help, Healing and Discovery: Pastor Jeff Hawkins shepherds a congregation of givers

City of Light: Pastor Phillip Thompson is optimistic about Flint’s future

Inspiring hope and healing: Flint Pastor moves congregants forward (Pastor Wayne Sanders)

Home Court Advantage: George Wilkinson helps lead sprint toward renewal

Monumental Movement: Ruth Mott Foundation supports north end renewal strategy (Pastor R. Sherman McCathern)

Flint’s food landscape shows signs of new life  (Pastor Patrick Wayne Sanders)

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