Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center

DECLARATION OF FAITH

Over the years, the church flourished under the leadership of several pastors, including Rev. Peter Gayle and Rev. Lindsay Arscott, who played pivotal roles in advancing the church’s mission of discipleship, education, and service to the community. In 2003, Bishop Dr. R.C. Hugh Nelson assumed leadership, further extending the church's influence through leadership development, and setting up the Hope Center Development Corporation, the church's community outreach arm.

As the congregation continued to grow, the church outgrew its facilities at 409 East 95th Street. By the grace of God and the faithfulness of its members, Bishop Nelson led the purchase of two city blocks, where a state-of-the-art, 40,000-square-foot ministry center was built. This new center is part of Ebenezer Plaza, which includes 530 affordable housing units, reflecting the church’s deep commitment to both spiritual and social empowerment in the Brownsville community.

This transformative development has enabled the church to expand its reach, offering round-the-clock ministry services, educational programs, re-entry services, and leadership training. Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center remains a beacon of hope, empowerment, and spiritual growth, continuing its mission of "Making Disciples to Impact Our World," serving both the Brooklyn community and beyond.

Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center

Core Values

At EUMC, our core values are built on RESPECT:

• Relationship: Fostering Christ-centered connections that uplift and support.
• Evangelism: Sharing the Good News and embracing cultural diversity.
• Scripture: Grounding our lives in the truth of God’s Word.
• Prayer: Seeking God’s guidance in all aspects of life.
• Empathy: Demonstrating Christ-like compassion and understanding.
• Cultural Diversity: Celebrating unity in our rich differences.
• Trust: Placing unwavering faith in God’s promises.
  

These values guide us as we Liberate, Inspire, Empower, and nurture a Family-oriented community.

• In the verbal inspiration of the Bible
• In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
• That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
• That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
• That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
• In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.
• Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people.
• In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.
• In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost.
• In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
• Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.
• In the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet.
• In the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
• In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked
  
  

Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center

MISSION

I am Bishop Dr. R. C. Hugh Nelson, a man of God deeply committed to a ministry of restoration that extends beyond the sanctuary, reaching those most in need. Born on the beautiful island of Jamaica, I am the third of five children to the late Rev. Vernon N. Nelson and Eva Nelson. In 1982, I migrated to London, England, and shortly after, pursued my undergraduate studies in Theology at the European Bible Seminary in Rudersburg, Germany, along with Biblical Archaeological studies in Jerusalem, Israel. I later earned a Master of Divinity degree at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee. I completed advanced certifications in Community Service Chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Education at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. I also hold a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from Fordham University, NY, and earned my Doctor of Ministry degree from the New York Theological Seminary.

I serve as the Visionary Lead Pastor for Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center, formerly Church of God of East Flatbush, and as District Administrative Bishop for District #2, New York State Care Ministry Coordinator, and President of Hope Center Development Corporation Inc. I also serve on the Board of Trustees for One Brooklyn Health System Inc. and as 2nd Vice President of the NYPD 67th Precinct Clergy Council. Additionally, I serve on several international boards, including the Church of God Spirit Care Board, People For Care & Learning, Freedom Outreach International Ministries, and the European Theological Seminary Board of Directors in Kniebis, Germany.  In 2022, I was honored to be elected to the Church of God Council of 18 at the 78th International General Assembly in San Antonio, Texas.

In recognition of my contributions to community development, I have received numerous awards, including the New York United Hospital Fund Distinguished Trustee Award in 2009, The Brookdale Hospital Medal and Plaque in 2011, and the New York State Council of Churches Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing and Sustainable Community Development in 2021, among others.

I have been happily married to Rev. Diana Nelson for 37 years, and we are proud parents to our three children: Raphael Nelson Jr. (Janissia), Andrae (Ayisha), and Sigourney