OPINION: Rutherford County and our state are very rich in history. The recent visits by former Tennessee State Representative John DeBerry of Memphis at both World Outreach Church and East Main Church of Christ were refreshing during the current times we live in. DeBerry’s discussion was titled “Troubles and Trials in America.” His speech reminded me of President Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing” and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speeches.

Being a fan of local history, DeBerry’s visit to East Main Church of Christ was unashamedly nostalgic and very enjoyable. I didn’t realize how much history the church held until Rutherford County Commissioner Pettus Read shared a story with me about it.

In an article about the church's past, local historian Susan Harbe wrote that “an enlightening chapter in East Main's history includes Federal troops worshipping at East Main, including James Garfield, the future president, who attended every time services convened. He sat at the front and actively participated by rendering several sermons and leading singing. He would leave his gun and sword on the pew when he was in front of the congregation, and this caused a sensational interest among members, especially children. As a gift, Garfield later sent the church a communion set of a silver decanter and four silver goblets.”

DeBerry, who once marched with the late Dr. King and was in the audience during his famous “Mountaintop” speech, is no doubt a man of strong conviction for the Gospel, his country and caring for his fellow man. One could argue that DeBerry was one of the strongest voices not just for African-Americans, but for all Americans during his 26-year tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly. Unfortunately, the Tennessee Democrat Party disagreed and orchestrated a scheme to remove him from the ballot. 

The Tennessee Democratic Party voted to remove the Memphis lawmaker from their primary ballot in August 2020.  As a result, the legislator hit back at the party, saying it no longer valued a diversity of ideas, according to an article from Tennessean.

DeBerry, who represented House District 90 in Shelby County, had come under fire from fellow Democrats for voting with Republicans on issues of education choice and life of the unborn. 

“The so-called party of inclusion is everything but inclusive,” DeBerry told the newspaper at the time. “It’s all about thinking with one brain, marching in step and following the company line, sitting there like a brainless idiot and letting them tell you what to do.”

What the Tennessee Democrat Party meant for evil, God meant for good. After the party’s unprecedented suppression of Memphis voters' ability to elect their representative, Governor Bill Lee hired him as one of his senior advisors. Ironically, DeBerry’s voice is now stronger than ever.

I was glad to have John DeBerry and Pettus Read on the Rutherford Magazine Show on WGNS last Sunday evening. To listen to the podcast visit: https://bit.ly/3yuhM5M.

I would like to thank Pastor Allen Jackson of World Outreach, Jon Mitchell of East Main Church of Christ and both of their staffs for inviting John to speak. With America’s current crises like 40-year record high inflation, soaring gas and food prices and even a potential nuclear “Armageddon,” which according to President Biden is at the “highest risk since 1962,” Americans could use more straight talk from men like John DeBerry.

Submitted by Rep. Mike Sparks. Rep. Sparks represents House District 49, which includes part of Rutherford County. He can be reached at 615-741-6829 or by emailing Rep.Mike.Sparks@capitol.tn.gov.