Rev. Dr. Jerry V. Burns, the seventh of ten siblings, was a native of Georgia. He was the beloved husband of Delores Burns, father to Voil Burns and Tynese Burns-Taylor, and a proud grandfather to Tyanda, and triplets Bryan, Bria, and Briana Taylor.

 

Dr. Burns received his formal education at the City University of New York and Cornell University, and his religious training at O.M. Kelly. He was the Founder and Pastor of Open Door Church of God in Christ, located at 999 Greene Avenue in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY, where he faithfully served for 36 years.

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A man of extraordinary vision and passion, Dr. Burns was also a gifted singer, musician, and songwriter. His music reached the top ten on WWRL radio station. As a pastor, he was deeply committed to outreach ministry. His vision for community service began with a simple fish fry on a Saturday afternoon, which blossomed into a thriving food distribution ministry.

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In January 1987, Open Door’s Soup Kitchen began serving the community, followed shortly by the opening of the Food Pantry. Today, the ministry serves approximately 3,000 men, women, and children weekly. Many of those served are struggling with substance abuse, homelessness, and other hardships. Through Dr. Burns’s leadership, approximately 60% of those individuals overcame their struggles and became regular church attendees and productive members of society.

 

Dr. Burns famously declared the aim of his ministry was “to aid our fellow man and to love the hurt away.” This commitment was expressed through Bible study, counseling, clothing and food distribution, and holistic care designed to uplift the whole person.

 

Dr. Burns was elevated to Chairman of the Home and Foreign Mission Department of the Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Eastern New York and served as Superintendent over seven churches within the Church of God in Christ. His leadership extended to a mission of engaging all churches in uplifting the homeless and destitute.

 

Throughout his life, Dr. Burns received numerous accolades for his outstanding service, including:

• The White House Outstanding Community Service Award

• The Communitarian Award for food ministry

• Recognition from Partnership for the Homeless

• A nomination for the Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award

• The Religious Award for Community Ministry

 

In 2000, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree, and in 2001, he received multiple citations from:

• Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden

• Councilman Peter Vallone

• Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the 81st Precinct

• The New York State Assembly

• The New York City Council

• Brooklyn Coalition Against Hunger

• Presiding Bishop’s Partner in Ministry Award

• City Harvest for feeding the hungry of New York City

 

On June 13, 2012, Rev. Dr. Jerry V. Burns was called home to be with the Lord.

To honor his legacy, on November 28, 2015, Greene Avenue between Patchen Avenue and Broadway was officially co-named Rev. Dr. Jerry V. Burns Way. Additionally, the church established a scholarship fund to help students achieve their goals and become “Leaders of Tomorrow.”

Dr. Burns’s future dreams included building a community center, daycare facility, and senior citizens’ home—visions that continue to inspire and guide those carrying his legacy forward.