About

Our Mission

Berean is a church that exists to Glorify God, to Make Disciples for Jesus Christ and to Empower them with the Holy Spirit to live the abundant life.

Our History

Berean Baptist of Raleigh held its first service on February 12, 2012.  However, our history goes back to 1850.

The Berean Baptist Church of the Ninth Ward of Brooklyn, New York, was incorporated on August 11, 1850 when the influence of the Abolitionist movement prompted frequent meetings of mixed racial groups in “Weeksville,” the first settlement of free blacks in the state of New York.  These men by their common commitment to the Christian faith, said they were attempting to effect spiritual and social change.  The visible expression if this commitment was the organizing of the church which later served as a “way station” on the Underground Railroad.

Berean Brooklyn affirmed the vision of Pastor Arkofa to expand its ministry by becoming one church in two locations and opening a second site in Raleigh, North Carolina.  With the purchase of property and The Garden on Millbrook Catering Company which is on the site, the fulfillment of the vision commenced with our first service on Sunday, February 12, 2012.  Dr. Arlee Arkofa, Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor,  Rev. Byron Benton lead the congregation for the remainder of 2012.

On January 1, 2013, Rev. Byron L Benton was called to be the first local pastor of Berean Baptist of Raleigh with Senior Pastor Arkofa.  Under their leadership, the church grew in diverse ways.  Pastor Byron served until November 2018 when he was called to another church.