Life & Work with Vermon Pierre

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vermon Pierre.

Hi Vermon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in New York City, grew up in northern New Jersey right outside NYC. I came to Phoenix at the end of 2002 to do what I thought would be only a two-year pastoral residency at a church in Paradise Valley.

They asked me to help get a new church started in downtown Phoenix. Downtown Phoenix was pretty empty and dead at the point, but I saw great potential for it to become a vibrant and diverse community. This desire eventually led to me and others starting Roosevelt Community Church in 2005.

We soon learned about other groups with a similar desire to invest in downtown Phoenix, like the Roosevelt Row CDC. And so early on we partnered with them and many others and were fortunate over the years to be part of helping a unique community grow and develop in our area.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We as a church have certainly had struggles. One year, we almost ran out of money. In recent years, we like many others have had to work through the different racial and political tensions that our country is going through.

Downtown Phoenix has also weathered different economic downturns and social tensions. And of course, all of us have had to navigate through this pandemic.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m most proud of helping to start and leading a diverse community that is outward-facing and involved in the community, and regularly gives thought to those in the community who are on the margins.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m the son of Haitian immigrants. I did my undergraduate degree at Princeton University, and also was a sprinter on my school’s track team throughout my time there.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@rooseveltchurch.org
• Website: rooseveltchurch.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/rooseveltchurch/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/rooseveltchurch
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/RooseveltCommunityChurch

Image Credits
James Nwobu and Tara Chatterton