April 26, 2024
Emory D. Berry, Jr., senior pastor of Greenforest Community Baptist Church, stands with health care workers in April as the church prepared to offer free COVID-19 testing. EMORY BERRY/Special
DECATUR — Free testing for COVID-19 at Greenforest Community Baptist Church has been extended through August, Senior Pastor Emory D. Berry, Jr., announced Aug. 6.
Greenforest began offering the testing shortly after the shutdown began, recently passing the 7,000 mark in the number of tests given. That joined the redoubling of efforts to its already-extensive food distribution ministry as hunger needs have been exasperated by the coronavirus pandemic. With more than 1,000 fed Aug. 6, that total number has surpassed 6,000.
Berry thanked community partners in the effort such as the DeKalb County Health Department and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond.
Rosalind Hill, Health Promotion Prevention coordinator for the DeKalb County Board of Health, expressed her appreciation to the church.
"We are just excited to partner along with Greenforest Community to help us flatten the curve. The whole purpose of getting tested is to protect yourself and your community," she said.
Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, District Health director for DeKalb County and CEO of the DeKalb County Board of Health, also thanked Greenforest when the number of COVID-19 tests administered at the church exceeded 5,000.
"I cannot thank you enough for your support, which has truly helped us save lives in this community," she said.
Testing at the church, located at 3250 Rainbow Drive in Decatur, will take place Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon. Appointments are encouraged and can be made through the DeKalb Health Department.
"Know your status, and let's do our part to help flatten the curve," encouraged Berry.
