Father Jayson Landeza, Oakland Fire and Police Department Chaplain

Father Jayson Landeza, Oakland Fire and Police Department Chaplain

I first heard Father Jayson's name the week 4 Oakland Police officers were violently killed last year. He presided over the funeral service, guiding a bewildered city in peaceful morning. It was a joy to meet him last week at one of Oakland's fire stations to discuss his work and set up this portrait shot in front of one of the trucks (which illustrated the hard-working nature of Oakland's public service by coming and going twice during our brief shoot...)

Father Jayson has a jovial warmth and quick access to empathy that many in the East Bay have found comforting in desperate times.

Thank you, Father Jayson!

Painter & Church Planter, David Nyquist

David Nyquist, Painter & Church Planter

More than most, my shoot with David was a collaboration. We both arrived to our location in station wagons, one full of photography gear, on with art. Serious art too, David's metal pieces, created with beefy recycled sheets, are heavy. I was excited to see the depiction of Jesus, the canvas piece shown hanging on the white wall, emerge from David's wagon. I first saw it on a social networking site described as being created as part of a live worship event..

I hoped to capture, with lighting and composition, a feel of radiance.... it would describe David perfectly!

Oakland Christian Hip Hop, Turf Ministries

Oakland's Turf Ministries

Gospel Musician Rob Collier

Gospel Musician Rob Collier

Rob is a joyful presence, and a passionate musician. I enjoyed setting up our shoot and spending time photographing. I wanted to include elements to describe Rob and his music. We used a Hammond B3 to communicate the tradition of gospel music and an outdoor brick wall to add roots of blues and urban music. I used lighting to suggest a blend of stage light and sunlight...

Thanks, Rob!

Terrance Kelly and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir

The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Director, Terrance Kelly

This was a really fun shoot. The choir, a rocking well-know group in Oakland, derives its joy, power, and funk from Mr. Kelly, a soulful and passionate leader. We set up to shoot and started with a relatively traditional look. It took very little prompting to get folks grooving out with the choir's pounding quartet of B3, Piano, Bass, and drums effortlessly taking up a beat. They are a powerful group and an undeniable presence in the city. Thanks for the shoot, OIGC!

Rev. Pedro Morataya, Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana

Rev. Pedro Morataya, Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana

Rev. Morataya is the lead pastor of a dynamic and international church that stands prominently on High Street in Oakland's Hispanic Fruitvale district. Just a block from International Blvd, the church is a peaceful place in a neighborhood that doesn't rest.

We had a chance to meet in his office before our shoot. He is a wise and soft-spoken leader, graciously uniting a close community of congregants from a half dozen countries. He radiates a calm contentment and draws strength from a life of hard work and the struggles of expatriot life. His matter of fact and deep-reasoned faith was familiar from my time with Christians in Central and South America and stands in contrast to the complicated religions of many in our town. It was a joy to meet him. Thank you, Pastor Pedro!

Rev. Emily Lin, Chinese Community United Methodist Church, Oakland, CA

Chris Williams, Director of Oakland's City Team

Chris Williams, City Team

I had a great time setting up and photographing Chris. In the past, my church has volunteered at the downtown shelter that serves the community with food, housing, and a variety of tools to improve and build up Oakland. He runs an organization that is optimistic, effective, and a true place of shelter. He is pictured in front of the organization's building.

The Rev. Harry Williams, Author, Preacher, & Street Evangelist

It was a very cool experience spending a morning with Rev. Harry. He's a pastor with Allen Temple Baptist Church in East Oakland, author of "Strait Outta East Oakland," and street evangelist working one of America's most infamous 'hoods. He is a humble, eloquent speaker with a love for his community.

If Jesus were walking the streets today, he said, he'd be somewhere like East Oakland.

East Oakland, to be certain, is fortunate to have people like Harry working the streets. Thanks, Rev. Harry!

The Project Abstract.

I've been working for a week or so on putting a finer point on the academic side of my thesis project, including a new title and accompanying written description. I'll be presenting the project at the Academy of Art in San Francisco in November and am beginning to line up Oakland churches that are interested in displaying the finished pieces in an informal gallery setting.

Being "on point" academically will be critically. Modern American academics tend not to trust Christianity and to not understand the language of religion that we take for granted. A big motivation for me is to present the Christian church as I see it, good people serving the surrounding community with heart, soul, and mind. Thanks for reading, please feel free to refer potential subjects to me.

In the meantime, here is the newly re-written abstract:

4b. Abstract

“The Faith; The Modern Face of Christianity in Today’s City” is a series of portraits of influential Christians in Oakland, CA. My photos, shot on location throughout the city, are intended to provide a visual for today’s church, by portraying church leaders; faith-driven community workers; Christian artists, writers, and musicians; and people motivated by faith to improve our East Bay community.

I am an Oakland-based commercial photographer and MFA student at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. This series is my masters thesis, which will be presented in San Francisco in November, 2010, and shared with churches in Oakland. Having served the church as a missionary in South America for a number of years, I have a deep interest in our portrayal to both congregants and the secular community. This project is both an exploration of my Oakland home and a tribute to my Christian faith.

“The Faith; The Modern Face of Christianity in Today’s City” can be followed online on a dedicated blog:

http://oaklandchristiancommunity.blogspot.com

And my commercial work can be seen on my Webpage:

http://mattbeardsleyphoto.com

Matt Beardsley

925-381-4196

mattbeardsleyphoto@gmail.com

Father Tom Zaferes, of Oakland's Greek Orthodox Ascension Catheral

Father Tom Zaferes,

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, Oakland, CA

I really enjoyed meeting Father Tom this morning in his office high above Oakland. It's a beautiful spot. The church is a significant presence in Oakland. Father Tom has only recently taken on the ministry, as an experienced and scholarly leader for the congregation. He provided valuable insight for my ongoing exploration of the East Bay church and its interaction with the secular community.

Rudy de Vos, Music Director at Christ Our Light Cathedral

Rudy de Vos, Music Director at Christ Our Light Cathedral, Oakland CA.

Rudy is relatively new to his position, and poised to become an influential force in Oakland. His ambitions for the city include a choir school open to all students and free concerts in the Cathedral. It is a master at the organ and is taking to his new role with enthusiasm. Says Rudy:

"Beauty is for everyone, regardless of social standing or level of education. I always remind myself of the quote of the composer Franz Liszt: 'The artist should not step upon the platform as the accused would appear before his judges, but as a true witness of beauty.'"

Nate Millheim, Shalom of Oakland

Nate Millheim with Shalom of Oakland, ministering in the flats of East Oakland,

http://www.shalomofoakland.com

Josh Harper, Intervarsity, Fruitvale

Faith Gong, Project Peace

Faith Gong, of the East Bay's Project Peace

Albert Lee, Oakland Pastor/Taekwondo Master

Earlier this week, I was invited to photograph a taekwondo test on East 15th Street in downtown Oakland.  I arrived to a warmly-lit gym with a blue padded floor covered with a grid of kids powering through kicks and punches, dressed in white uniforms and white, yellow, green, blue, and purple belts.  I watched as the class lined up to spar, demonstrate routines, and hammer wood boards with their feet.  It was pretty cool.

What drew me to the event, though, wasn't the anxious promotion trials, or even the bold motivational speech of a real Taekwondo Grand Master, but the class's teacher, Albert Lee.  Albert is a firm and compassionate leader, who motivates the kids in his program to powerful finesse.  He's also the pastor of Oakland's Re:Generation Church, a hip congregation with a unique ministry.

I look forward to sharing more words and photos from Pastor Albert and his church in the months to come....

Ron Nuñez, The Urban Church

Ron is a hardcore church planter working in the intimidating setting of urban East Oakland.  He's made an awesome effort to bring faith to the streets.  We had a fun photoshoot along the train tracks near his original church plant.

Q)  What verse of scripture does Oakland most need to hear?

RN)  "Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.'"

Q)  What sings of hope do you see happening in Oakland?

RN)  "From a political point of view, it seems that the city of Oakland is trying to engage more in after school programs, moms clubs, as well as health classes.  However, it does appear that finances are a challenge.

From a Christian world view, I think there is a lot to be hopeful for.  God is concerned with our great cities and especially the ones with high crime.  God is for social justice ministry.  He just needs to right people to lead.  So our church feels very hopeful, people respond to the Gospel and there seems to be a hunger for a change."

Q)  How is God at work in Oakland?

RN)  "I think that he is at work especially in the quiet places of people's hearts.  I can speak for many members of our church who, due to efforts to expand God's kingdom, have overcome drug problems.  Many of them would tell us that God was at work in them long before we arrived, they just needed some leadership to get proactive about their recovery.  So I think that this is the best way that God is working in people's hearts, and when Christian leadership comes into their lives, it seems that they are ready because God has already been stirring the waters."

Ron told me his favorite passage from the Bible is Psalm 1:

Psalm 1, ESV

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."

David Nyquist in front of the house in Oakland where his new home church meets every Sunday.  David is also a Christian counselor with In The Potter's Hands and expecting a new baby any day.

Q: What is your favorite verse of scripture?

DN: "I love Hebrews 11. 'Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.'  Another portion of scripture reveals that 'faith is the only way we can please God.'  There are so many things in my heart to accomplish in this life, and it is only by faith that any of them will have any real value to God.  Faith is when I determine that what God says matters more than my problems, challenges, doubts, fears, or my own understanding, and I respond to what he says with action."

Q: What verse of scripture does your community most need to hear?

DN: "Romans 8 pronounces our total freedom in Christ, not based on our own works or personal righteousness, but on Jesus having eliminated our deserved punishment forever and given us access to experience the glories of heaven from now unto eternity.  Without a deep acceptance of the grace of God for our own lives, we never truly know His love for us, and could waste our days in fear and punishment that comes from the law.  Acceptance of grace is foundational for living the life Jesus calls us to live."

Q: What signs of hope are occurring in Oakland?

DN: "We celebrate what God is doing - big and small.  There's plenty of bad stuff that could get our attention if we let it, but God is bigger than all of that.  People are getting saved, healed and delivered - which is what Jesus told us would happen as the Kingdom of heaven goes forth.  There is transformation on many levels of society.  It is small but it will continue to grow."

Q: How is God at work in Oakland?

DN: "God has given me faith that we will see people miraculously healed of sickness and disease.  I also believe that God is at work restoring His church to its original format.  You will begin to see the emergence of a Kingdom culture within the larger church community in Oakland.  I'd define this as relationships based on honor, a respect of true authority, a lifestyle of faith for the impossible, and the emergence of leadership that will empower their communities to pursue the dreams of their hearts."

Randy Roth, The Faith Network of the East Bay

Last week, I had a chance to spend an early morning with Mr. Randy Roth, president of the Faith Network of the East Bay.  A former pastor, Mr. Roth has now turned his attention to the partnering of church groups, schools, and communities.  From the Faith Network Website:

"Through its Urban School Adoption program Faith Network, in response to needs expressed by school principals and teachers, provides tutors, mentors, classroom assistants, library helpers, teachers appreciation events, family support, summer camp for city kids and more.

Faith Network offers a significant example of a local faith-based organization willing to tackle a community issue and seems to be doing so with great effect.

Also from the Faith Network Website:  "As people of faith we are called by God to pray and work for the SHALOM of the city -- its health, welfare and prosperity (Jeremiah 29:7).  Mr. Roth says, "In June 2001, I got out of the boat, i.e., the familiar role of local church pastor, and waded into the uncharted waters of collaborative ministry to urban public schools."

For further reading from Faith Network and Randy Roth, Here is a Link to an article he's written describing his call to ministry.

Sunrise Mass, St. Elizabeth

Early morning might be the only time Fruitvale is quiet.  A few people gather at the building that serves as the center of Hispanic Catholicism in the San Francisco Bay Area for prayer.  In a small chapel, the waxy warmth from hundreds of candles fogs the front of my camera.  These are a few photos from the experience.