Tennessee is very rich in history. The recent visit to Murfreesboro by former Tennessee State Representative John DeBerry of Memphis at both World Outreach Church and East Main Church of Christ were refreshing during the current times we live in.

DeBerry’s discussion is titled “Troubles and Trials in America.” His speech reminded me of Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing” and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speeches.

Being a fan of local history, DeBerry’s visit to East Main Church of Christ was unashamedly nostalgic and very enjoyable. I didn’t realize how much history the church held until Rutherford County Commissioner Pettus Read had shared a story with me about the history of East Main Church of Christ.

Democrats oust state Rep. John DeBerry

According to an article written by local historian Susan Harber, “An enlightening chapter in East Main’s history includes Federal troops worshipping at East Main, including James Garfield, the future president, who attended every time services convened. He sat at the front and actively participated by rendering several sermons and leading singing.”

Harber continued, “He would leave his gun and sword on the pew when he was in front of the congregation, and this caused a sensational interest among members, especially children. As a gift, Garfield later sent the church a communion set of a silver decanter and four silver goblets.”

John DeBerry, who once marched with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was in the audience at the famous Mountaintop speech, is no doubt a man of strong conviction for the Gospel, his country and caring for his fellow man. One would be hard pressed to argue that John DeBerry was one of the strongest voices for Blacks and all Americans during his 26-year tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Unfortunately, the Tennessee Democratic Party disagreed and orchestrated a scheme to remove DeBerry from the ballot. The Tennessee Democratic Party voted to remove the Memphis lawmaker from their party’s Aug. 6, 2020 primary ballot. According to a Tennessean article, the legislator hit back at the party, saying it no longer valued a diversity of ideas.

“The so-called party of inclusion is everything but inclusive. It’s all about thinking with one brain, marching in step and following the company line, sitting there like a brainless idiot and letting them tell you what to do,” DeBerry said in an interview.

Harris defeats DeBerry in state House District 90 race

DeBerry, who represented Shelby County’s District 90, came under fire from Tennessee Democrats for voting with Republicans on issues such as education choice and life of the unborn.

What the Tennessee Democratic Party meant for evil, God meant for good. After the party’s unprecedented suppression of Memphis voters’ ability to elect their representative, Governor Bill Lee hired DeBerry as one of his senior advisers. Ironically, John DeBerry’s voice is now stronger than ever.

I was honored to have John DeBerry and Pettus Read as guests on the Rutherford Magazine Show on WGNS last Sunday evening. To listen to the podcast click here.

DeBerry to be adviser to governor

I would like to thank both Pastor Allen Jackson of World Outreach Church and Jon Mitchell of East Main Church of Christ and their staffs for inviting John to speak. With America’s current crises and the troubles and trials of a 40-year-record of inflation, soaring gas and food prices, and even a potential nuclear Armageddon — which President Joe Biden said is at the highest risk since 1962 — Americans could use more straight talk from men like John DeBerry.