More than 100 guests attended the Berrien Springs All Nations Church Valentine’s Day banquet, which combined celebration and fundraising to support the church’s ministries and outreach efforts in Michigan. [Photographs by Jessica Felicio]
Church leaders say the February 14 event reflected a larger belief: when families are strengthened, communities are strengthened as well.
More than 100 guests attended the Valentine’s Day banquet, which combined celebration and fundraising to support the church’s ministries and outreach efforts. Beyond the formal décor, music and candlelit atmosphere, organizers intentionally centered the evening on love, unity and family life.
Senior Pastor Martin Hanna said the church views strong families as essential to both spiritual life and community wellbeing. Hanna emphasized “Healthy marriages, parent-child relationships, and supportive homes create a stronger foundation for the church and the broader community.”
That focus shaped the purpose of the evening. Timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, the banquet invited attendees to reflect on love not simply as romance, but as something expressed through commitment, faith, service and mutual care. The event also highlighted the connection between family ministry and community outreach.
Proceeds from the banquet will support ministries such as the church’s food pantry, which assists more than 600 individuals annually, along with health and wellness events aimed at promoting disease prevention and whole-person wellbeing. For church leaders, those ministries flow naturally from the same values that strengthen families: compassion, stability and intentional care for others.
Throughout the evening, organizers created opportunities for guests to celebrate relationships and shared experiences. Professional photographs, letter-writing activities, floral arrangements and music added warmth to the program, while tributes from couples and recognition for the longest-married couple pointed to the value of enduring commitment. Brigette Hinds, All Nations Church first elder and the banquet’s project director, said: “The banquet’s goal was to bring families together while supporting meaningful community impact.”
The banquet drew members from neighboring congregations, area schools, and the wider community, including local officials. A special highlight was a proclamation from Lake Region Conference President Abraham Henry, recognizing All Nations Church for its commitment to community welfare and its efforts to promote health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizers hope the banquet will become an annual event, serving as both a fundraiser and a reminder that strong families remain one of the strongest building blocks of a healthy community. To learn more about supporting the outreach efforts, visit: https://bit.ly/4l5fD7H
Joseth Howell is a member of the All Nations Church.
