BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS

For most people, 2020 was an unforgettable year. From the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing financial devastation, to ongoing racial unrest, political division and environmental disasters, few have managed to remain unscathed. With solace, encouragement and spiritual upliftment becoming harder to come by in a new age of social distancing and widespread closures and shutdowns, spiritual leaders have been challenged to  “reinvent” the one place most often cited as a source of comfort in times of trouble: Church. 

One might say that Pastor De'Shawn Hardy has it in his blood to be such a source of comfort.  Born in San Diego, California, his Father, the late Dr. W.G. Hardy was enlisted in the Navy at the time and eventually moved his family to SE Portland. "It wasn't 'normal' when I was growing up, to live in SE Portland as a Black family. I think we were the only Black family in the neighborhood of several blocks," he shared.

Hailing from a family of Church pastors that included his father and grandfather, the late W.G. Hardy settled into the role of spiritual leader in the community. He eventually became the senior pastor of the Highland Christian Center in Northeast Portland, a position he held for more than 2 decades. Revered as one who inspired many others with his spirited sermons and lifelong service to his Church and community, De'Shawn remembered, 

"I had a loving family. My Dad was a dynamic person in the community and in Churches, so growing up around him inspired me to do things in the community as well as look for ways to help people." 

The path was not always an easy one for a young Black man growing up in an urban neighborhood. "Like anyone else in the inner-city, I got drawn to things that weren't the best, but I learned to navigate life, turned around and went to college," he said.

Moved and encouraged by his late father's example, De'Shawn initially chose a path uplifting and inspiring others as an inspirational and motivational public speaker.

"Speaking came natural. I was that kid who could talk my way into or out of anything," he laughed. "When I  got to an age that I thought I could do something with it, I started doing leadership trainings and mentorship. I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree though and as I started doing trainings across the country, that led to speaking, which led to churches calling and asking me to speak to youth groups and such. It took off from there."

Hardy eventually followed in his father's footsteps and began a career in Ministry. Seeking to carve out his own niche and legacy apart from that left by his luminous Father, De'Shawn Hardy seeks to leave a lasting impression on all whose lives he touches. "I am not my Father. There are still pieces of him, but I became comfortable being De'Shawn," he shared. "He had gifts that I don't have and I have gifts he didn't have. When people first meet me and recognize me as my Fathers' son, I make it a point that the next time they meet me, they remember me as De'Shawn. I want his legacy to live on, but I also want to leave my own legacy."

His approach to ministry is multi-faceted and seeks to take into account the importance of being relatable and understanding to those seeking his spiritual guidance. "I grew up in an era where the Pastor was on a pedestal, and was unreachable," he said sadly. "I believe you have to share your time with people so they know you genuinely care about them. I meet people on their level and do my best to make them feel welcome in order to better to show the compassion and love of Jesus." 

Since COVID, De'Shawn has risen to the challenge of being reachable and available.  

"It's been a good and bad time," he said with a sigh. "The pandemic shut everything down. How do you reach people who need Church more than anything right now?" he asked. "I was already familiar with creating a social media livestream service. What we are now doing is a weekly bible study on facebook and live recorded service on Sunday. People are still leery and so the Church is doing a lot of Zoom meetings and breakout groups to keep people connected."

He has also been actively engaged and proactive in helping congregants access resources and funding to help lessen the financial blow. "I know a lot of people who benefitted from The Oregon Cares Fund," he acknowledged. "People were taking huge hits and with African-Americans having a higher chance of getting COVID and losing everything, we were able to give out visa cards for families and utilize programs to help the community." 

Individually and collectively, Hardy also encourages members to lean in and be a part of the solution to the shared woes that many face.  "I always tell people that everyone has a role," he encouraged. "Some people can march all day long. I march and I sit at big tables to tell people what the community really needs. For it's part, the Church, more than ever, needs to be vocal and stay vocal, on the front line of COVID and social stressors. If the Church remains silent, people feel abandoned."

In the end, it's the connection and loving guidance that Minister De'Shawn Hardy seeks to share with people struggling to navigate through hard times. "We have survived so much. We survived slavery, we are surviving oppression. The answer is togetherness, loving on each other and knowing that we were built for much greater than this. When we Love, motivate and care for each other and shake hands with people on the other side, we will be in a better place."

To contact Minister Hardy, call or visit: 

Phone:(503)209-4496

Email :Dh@deshawnhardyspeaks.com

IG: de.shawn_hardy