Through Jeroslyn JoVonn
October 28, 2025
Pastor Jamal Bryant declined donations for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday and urged the congregation to instead support those at risk of losing SNAP benefits.
Pastor Jamal Bryant, who attended BLACK BUSINESS‘S Men’s XCEL top October 15-17, is asked his congregation to pause church donations and instead support members at risk of losing their SNAP benefits.
Bryant’s Oct. 26 sermon at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church was intended as a $1 million fundraising day for the Stonecrest congregation. 11 Alive reports. Instead, he urged attendees not to donate to the church support members who could lose SNAP benefits if the federal government shutdown continues beyond November 1.
“I didn’t feel like it would be right to ask people to march down $5,000, $2,000, $3,000 and $1,000 when people don’t know how they’re going to pay their rent,” Bryant said in a clip. shared online.
Bryant, known for leading boycotts against Target for rolling back DEI initiatives, highlighted some of the challenges the Black community could face under a second Trump administration.
“Since March, 300,000 Black women have lost their jobs, knowing that this is the highest unemployment rate for Black people in more than 15 years,” Bryant said.
“Knowing that government workers and government contractors have been furloughed and not receiving checks, even while senators and congressmen are receiving theirs. Knowing that 43 million people are not receiving food benefits. The Holy Spirit arrested me in prayer.”
Citing the church’s “greater responsibility” during critical times, Bryant acknowledged those facing hardships and urged his congregation to provide support.
“The council is supposed to be sensitive to the needs of the community, knowing that people are literally just trying to stay afloat,” he added. “We open our arms and open our hearts at the same time.”
Sharing the moment on Instagram, New Birth provided resources for people at risk of losing SNAP benefits — used by 40 million Americans, including children, families and seniors — if the shutdown continues. Viewers of the clip expressed their support and shared personal stories about how the ongoing government shutdown has affected their families.
“This is the spirit of NewBirth!! We have always been a church that takes care of the people,” one member wrote.
“My son works for the government and he doesn’t get paid very well and he has two three year old twin boys. We are having such a hard time,” said another user. “Continue to lift us up in your prayers. We really need it.”
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