Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, to West African parents, Berlyn Best brings a rich cultural background and a deeply rooted passion for kingdom work. Her faith journey began in middle school and was drastically transformed during her time at Brooklyn College (CUNY) when she served as a global missionary to the Uyghur people in Xinjiang, China. Being away from home in a life-altering environment solidified her walk with Christ and ultimately called her to earn a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University.
Throughout her ministry, she has been defined by compassionate service to others, having served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate with the Newport News Domestic Relations Court and being the founder of What About HER (Heal. Empower. Restore.), a non-profit dedicated to mentoring middle and high school girls in schools, community spaces, and juvenile detention centers. Her extensive background also includes serving as Pastor of Youth and Families at The Mount Global Fellowship Ministries (Yorktown, VA) and partnering with YoungLives to mentor young mothers.
Berlyn’s primary ministry and proudest joy is her 16-year-old daughter, Jaeda, a junior at Bard Early College High School. Honored to step into the role of Director of Youth, she looks forward to trusting the Holy Spirit to lead Grace Youth Ministry with compassion, sensitivity, and deep community connections.