Genesis Worship Center: In the News

In the News

Published stories about housing, community partnerships, and the work of creating new beginnings. Explore reporting and partner perspectives on Genesis Worship Center and Bishop George Matthews.

Featured Quote

“The way I show my love is to help them. I fulfill my mission by being a servant.”

Bishop George Matthews, quoted in Local News Matters, June 17, 2021.

New Components in Housing Equation

Publication: East Bay Express
Date: March 21, 2024

Coverage of Genesis’s transitional housing and the partnerships supporting housing on church property and a renovated home across the street. (East Bay Express)

“This type of partnership is one of the models for the future.”

Bishop George Matthews, quoted in East Bay Express.

New Way of Developing Affordable Housing Through Partnerships with Churches

Publication: GreenMoney
Date: March 2, 2024

A feature presenting Genesis as an early example of a church partnership model, including Bishop Matthews’s account of building with private financing. (GreenMoney)

“New Way Homes lent the funding to get the project approved and found a construction lender so we could build with private money.”

Bishop George Matthews, quoted in GreenMoney.

‘This is how you serve your community’: Oakland churches get grant to put housing on their land

Publication: Oakland North
Date: September 30, 2022

Reporting on faith-based housing that identifies Genesis’s completed development as transitional housing for 20 adults at the time of publication. (Oakland North)

East Oakland church part of national trend in making cities more affordable

Publication: Local News Matters
Date: June 17, 2021

A profile connecting Bishop Matthews’s ministry and business background with Genesis’s development of housing on church grounds. (Local News Matters)

From Our Partners

A New Way to Begin at Genesis

Organization: UCC Church Building & Loan Fund
Author: The Rev. Dr. Patrick Duggan

The Rev. Dr. Patrick Duggan identifies Genesis as the Fund’s first loan used to transform an existing church fellowship hall into affordable housing. The account documents the $3.6 million joint financing with the UCC Cornerstone Fund and describes Bishop Matthews as “a gifted church leader.” (UCC Church Building & Loan Fund)

Genesis Worship Center

Organization: New Way Homes

A project profile documenting the 12-unit development, its completion in late 2021, and the organizations that helped bring it to life. (New Way Homes)

Publication Note

Articles remain on their publishers’ websites. Historical figures reflect the date of each publication, not current program capacity.