For over 22 years, A.R. Bernard has run the largest church in New York City, the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. Starting as a preacher from his kitchen in Williamsburg, Bernard is now of of New York’s most powerful religious officials, running the center at its 10-acre campus in Brooklyn. Bernard has advised everyone from actor Denzel Washington to Mayor Michael Bloomberg to NBA star Jason Kidd to President Bill Clinton and, for a short time, President Donald Trump.

Bernard joined Errol Louis for a frank discussion about his journey to Christianity, his beginnings as a member of the Nation of Islam, and how his background as a banker helps him to offer financial advice to his congregation. They also talked about his role as one of the more prominent black Republicans in New York City, his plans for a “mini-city” within the Christian Cultural Center’s campus, and why many younger people are turning away from religion.

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