Pastor James E. Alberts II This is Me

Education

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1. 1. www.lookwhatgodisdoing.com

   www.lookwhatgodisdoing.com/New - [Cached]

   Published on: 7/1/2005   Last Visited: 10/1/2005

   Rev. James Alberts II founded Higher Ground Church, a predominantly African American church, in 2001. Higher Ground Church is part of the Church of God in Christ denomination, one of the largest African American denominations in the country. He said his parishioners have unique challenges. "When you have a group of people who deal with the same challenges, then that becomes a challenge of the church itself." He said housing, employment and education are the major challenges his parishioners face. "Anything that gets in the way of a goal becomes a challenge. Their goal is to be alive and be happy; be successful, and to be able to have nice things and be able to enjoy life." Alberts said his parishioners often feel trapped in their lifestyle or situation. He encourages them to take control of their surroundings, to have a sense of empowerment to achieve their goals, and to redirect prejudice by loving people. "If you don't start loving them they're not going to start loving you," he said. The African American population in St. Cloud is like a "drift without an anchor," moving in and out,
   
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   but a church like Higher Ground provides a place to gather and connect people. "There's a lot that has to change, not only on the side of those that don't like you, but on themselves," Alberts said. He said about 50 adults attend his church, largely single women with children. Alberts trained under Rev. Michael Jackson at Abundant Life Church, which has since closed.
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   Alberts said churches may appear racially segregated, but they are actually culturally segregated.

2. 2. Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder - LOCAL NEWS

   www.spokesman-recorder.com/new - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/29/2005   Last Visited: 8/30/2005

   "St. Cloud is right on the edge," said Pastor James Alberts of Higher Ground Church of God In Christ in St. Cloud. "It's not quite a suburb, but it's not really a rural city, either - it's in between there. It brings in different people from different cultures. There are misunderstandings that can take place."
   
   Pastor Alberts founded Higher Ground Church in 2001. He leads a predominantly African American congregation of 80 members.
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   Collectively, Reverends Lehman, Alberts and McAfee form the Coalition of Black Churches.
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   If we have got little things we may not agree on necessarily, we always talk to one another, confer with one another, and come to a consensus first," said Alberts. The group has participated in a major effort combating racial profiling with the GRIP (Greater River Interfaith Partnership) Diversity Task Force.
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   "I have experienced racism here in St. Cloud, the blatant kind that people tell stories about," said Alberts, who came to St. Cloud in 1995 from Texas to attend St. Cloud State University.
   
   "Being called the ‘n' word numerous times here in St Cloud, I have been pulled over by police, handcuffed, pulled out at gun point. And there was absolutely nothing wrong, and they turn around, let me go, and say, ‘We're sorry.' Those types of things have happened without having to make anything up and without having to go off of what anybody else said." With a wife and two daughters, Alberts is always on the move to make St. Cloud a better place to live for his family and others.
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   Rev. Alberts considers it no small task to want change, act on change, and to see the results. "Boldness and persistence.

3. 3. Jones Valley Community COGIC

   www.jonesvalleycogic.org/direc - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/7/2007   Last Visited: 12/7/2007

   Higher Ground COGIC, St. Cloud, MN, Pastor James E. Alberts, II