Trinity Evangelical Free Church

lori anderson

thank you God,this place saves lives and true honest people are hard to find. save your soul ,get closer to God/Jesus I've learned my faith is the powerful. I also believe in foot work ,actions over words . my son needs a bit of real help and he is loving learning that kind of love we had as a child,for God.Joseph loves his father Jesus again and always have love him. please if you wish to give to a worthy cause give Thrinity church. Maine 12 Mc Lellan st zip.04976

David Dennison

I was fortunate to land in Trinity EFC homeless shelter some years ago after losing everything. After a year of watching the abusive nature of Mr. Berry and his cult of career homeless men, I walked away from the shelter with just the clothes on my back. Mr. Berry seems not to understand the difference between enabling people and empowering people. For providing food and shelter, Mr. Berry is all too eager and willing to take credit. He does not, nor do his flock of fawning sycophants, truly realize that these gifts come from the Lord. I did not go to the shelter to hear how good Mr. Berry is for doing the right thing. I did not go to the shelter to be oppressed, silenced, and manipulated by an autocratic Mr. Berry and his abusive staff. After leaving the shelter, I have been rapidly regaining what I lost. After moving into the VA homeless shelter in Augusta, I have a stable income and healthcare from my in-service disability. I am renting a 4 bedroom house and am making plans to purchase a home. I own my own car. None of this would have been possible had I stayed in the shelter with their do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do mentality. I would still be in the company of thieves, drunks, drug-users and drug-dealers that enjoy a dissolute homeless life. I thank God that I was there. And I praise God that He led me out of there.

Jessica Fleetwood

This is a place that people can go to find warmth , food, and fellowship. I believe that life is what u make it and every day there is praise and prayer to help lift the spirits of the homeless . The team here works very hard to keep the place going. I admire the faith from this home.

crystal morningstar

The Trinity Shelter experience is an experience of contrasts. Core staff members are lovingly devoted and go above and beyond. They do everything in their power to fulfill any need. The same can be said for many of the shelter's supporters. The shelter's existence is important as shelters are diminishing while need is increasing. Trinity does not turn anyone away and is available in an emergency in an age of waiting lists, strict limitations on shelter entrance, etc. The story of how it began speaks of a man with great passion for the homeless and is quite moving, heart touching and inspiring. In that respect, the world could use more such 'men' (people). it is not an exaggeration that it can also be a very unpleasant and even abusive experience. The relentless bedbug infestation is true. The pastor's daily personality is beyond abrasive. His morning 'jesting' is emasculating to the men. At best, his attitude toward women is condescending. "If you have a complaint, write it on toilet paper because all it's going to be worth to me is to wipe my ass with it. This is Berry Island and I don't care what the state says, I run this place MY way and if you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the ass." This creates a state of duress in residents as those occupying it can't just walk out the door in the middle of winter to freeze to death. If they had anywhere else to go, they would not have arrived there to begin with. The complete disregard for the right to religious freedom is appalling. Attendance at services is required unless you're going to attend a different Pastor Berry approved church, which is always only his brand of 'Christianity' and usually only a church attended or run by shelter financial supporters. The number of spirits in existence are legions upon legions and one can be anointed with any one of them. In the case of Trinity, the spirit anointing it is one of spiritual rape, abusive emotional and intellectual emasculation of men and degradation of women. At least two cases of violent assault on children by parents/parental figures reported to staff went unreported to child welfare and were not dealt with meaningfully. While a necessary facility with some sincerely devoted staff, Trinity shelter is spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically unsafe; further damaging a population already oppressed and traumatized by financial deprivation.