Marvin K. White, serving as the minister of celebration at Glide Memorial Church, greets everyone he encounters with a warm ‘Good morning,’ as he strolls down the streets of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood.
His morning greetings extend to all, from those wrapped in blankets on the sidewalk to church staff as he steps inside the storied non-denominational church.
‘Sometimes it’s as simple as saying good morning,’ White reflects on this daily ritual, emphasizing its importance in fostering community and connection.
He adds with a sense of humor, ‘And reminding people that we have dog food so you don’t have to go and steal.’
White’s deep affection for the Tenderloin embodies the church’s mission as a sanctuary for all, amidst a backdrop of criticism from media depicting the neighborhood’s struggles as emblematic of a larger issue in San Francisco.
‘I believe the Tenderloin is one of the most beautiful and vibrant places I’ve ever experienced,’ White asserts, clearly unphased by the negative stereotypes surrounding the area.
As an openly gay Black man raised in Oakland’s projects, White is a rarity in the pulpit, yet his identity empowers him in his ministry.
‘I’ve always been different and always been unique and always marched to the beat of my own drummer,’ he expresses confidently.
Stepping into Glide’s sanctuary, White admires the decor reflecting the spirit of Pride Month, including the Pride flags and jars filled with candy, which he likens to ‘communion wafers.’
The sound of candy being unwrapped throughout the sanctuary echoes his belief in creating an inviting atmosphere.
White addresses those in the religious community who may feel conflicted by a homosexual leader, asserting that scriptural interpretations condemning homosexuality are often misused to fit personal agendas.
‘If I can say that my blackness is in the name of the God and my queerness is also a name of God, then people can find the divinity in themselves,’ he passionately declares.
His spiritual journey began in childhood, as one of five raised by a single mother in public housing in Oakland.
‘That was the beginning of my ministry – seeing how these women took care of each other,’ he reflects on the communal support he witnessed.
Initially put off by his family’s casual Jehovah’s Witness beliefs, which instilled fear of an impending apocalypse, he later found solace in Oakland’s City of Refuge Church.
‘I was like, ‘Oh, this is the God I want to understand,” he recalls, highlighting his pivotal moment of faith discovery.
After seminary, White secured an internship at Glide under the guidance of its legendary pastor, Cecil Williams.
While most interns delivered a couple of sermons, White’s engagement resulted in him preaching 18 times.
Although he briefly departed from Glide, he was invited back as a guest preacher, ultimately becoming Williams’s successor in 2019 after Williams’s passing.
Flanked by large photographs of Williams and his wife, Janice Mirikitani, White feels the weight of the legacy he carries.
‘You’re not going to be me. You need to be the first you,’ was the advice Williams offered, a message that White found liberating.
Beyond his role at Glide, White is also an accomplished author with four poetry books and has recently opened an art gallery called TendeSF in the Tenderloin.
The gallery showcases black and white photographs of local residents and aims to celebrate Black and LGBTQ stories.
‘I wanted it to be a place where you can get magic for your art and creativity,’ he explains about his vision for the space.
As he navigates the triangle of his life—between Glide, the gallery, and his nearby apartment—White maintains his greeting ritual, which serves as an open invitation to the community.
‘I want people to be able to find me and I want people to be able to say, ‘You know, there’s this Black gay guy who’s the preacher at Glide. You should go by there and see him,’ he expresses, demonstrating his commitment to fostering connections and encouraging others to seek out the supportive environment at Glide Memorial Church.
image source from：https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/glide-pastor-queerness-tenderloin-gallery/3890216/
