43 minute read
Church News Greater Zion Expands into the Inland Empire with Corona Satellite; UCLA Labor Center to be Renamed for Rev. James Lawson Jr.
Saturday, July 31 marked the expansion of Greater Zion into the Inland Empire with the inaugural services of a Corona location with services continuing every second and fourth Saturday at 10 am through the end of the year. “A lot of people are leaving the L.A. vicinity and moving to the Inland Empire in droves–to Riverside, Eastvale, which is just north of Corona, Murrieta, which is just south of Corona,” said Greater Zion Church Family Pastor Michael J.T. Fisher. “We found out that we had at least 150 members who lived in that area. This was something that was always in the plans to expand Greater Zion and create satellite locations. It’s a module that white congregations have done for years and we knew eventually it would be needed as Black people began to move out of the inner city and now we’re here.” Fisher is are too aware of the challenges the move could mean. “It will be moderately difficult because we are still in the middle of a pandemic,” Fisher said. “Church attendance has fallen even in churches that are stable and there’s the question of whether or not we will continue to stay open with this new Delta variant. Then, of course, it’s taxing on the body with me not just preaching only on Sundays, but on Saturdays as well. “We have a lot of people who work on Sundays and I found out through polling people in the Inland Empire that many congregants prefer Saturday so that they can have Sunday to rest and get ready for Monday.” At present, Greater Zion will be sharing space with another church with hopes of eventually purchasing facilities of their own after a six to nine month trial period to determine the viability of a more permanent location. “Our goal is to establish a strong, viable and consistent location in Corona and then eventually from Corona, open up other satellite locations.”
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UCLA Labor Center to be Renamed for Rev. James Lawson Jr.
The historic building that houses the UCLA Labor Center will be named in honor the Rev. James Lawson Jr., who served for 25 years as the senior pastor of Holman United Methodist Church and was a leading tactician of non-violence in for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during the Civil Rights Movement. Among the students he trained was John Lewis. Lawson has taught a labor studies course on nonviolence at UCLA for the past twenty years and in 2018, received the UCLA Medal, the campus’ highest honor. The UCLA Labor Center was established in 1964 as the Center for Labor Research and Education within the UCLA Institute of Industrial Relations, now the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, through a statewide joint labor-university committee. Since its inception, the center has been dedicated to research, education, and service in the interest of California’s workers. “Our research and programs have moved the needle on labor policy in ways that have impacted the labor and social justice movement nationwide,” said Kent Wong, director at the UCLA Labor Center. “And as we envision the future of this historic building, we will be guided by the teachings and the spirit of
Rev. Lawson to promote racial and economic justice for all working people.”
L.A. Baptist Community Celebrates the Life of Marvin Dean
The L.A. Baptist community bid a fond farewell to Rev. Marvin E. Dean during services held last month at the Southern Missionary Baptist Church, where Xavier L. Thompson served as the host pastor and Dr. Lovely Haynes of the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church officiated. Among those taking part in the services were Pastors Bobby L. Newman, George Hurtt, Charles Lee Johnson, Sonja Dawson, L.A. Kessee, K.W. Tulloss, E. Wayne Gaddis, Rodney Howard, Sylvester Washington and Apostle Ron Hill. A gifted preacher and speaker, Dean served as a former president of Providence Baptist Congress of Christian Education and as a former Dean of the Congress of Christian Education for the Tri-County Baptist Association. He presently served as the Correspondence Secretary and Ministerial Ethics Advisor for the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California, a position he’d held for nearly 20 years.
L.A. Focus/ August 2021 16
Hybrid Model of In-Person and Online Services Preferred by 41% of Black Churchgoers, According to New Study
According to a new study–conducted by Barna Research– of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the African American faith community–41 percent of Black churchgoers prefer a hybrid model of in-person and online worship going forward. Just seven percent preferred that church services remain digital. The data also showed that as of September 2020, three in five black adults had watched services online during the pandemic. Additionally, some 47% of black adults who participated in church during the pandemic said the experience made them more open to digital church, while an equal percentage who attended church online in the past six months said they favored in-person gatherings going forward. The study, Trends in the Black Church, was conducted in partnership with the Rev. Brianna K. Parker of Black Millennial Cafe, Gloo, Urban Ministries, Inc., the American Bible Study and Compassion. “Data show that the pandemic pushed black church pastors to innovate and challenged their ability to disciple people digitally during the pandemic. Even now, as churches emerge from COVID-era regulations, pastors and their people wonder if or how these shifts will continue to shape the trajectory of their ministry strategy,” Barna Research noted. The vast majority of Black Church churchgoers felt their church responded well to the pandemic. However, 35 percent agree strongly that they’re concerned about the long-term effects on their church. Across the board, larger churches were more likely to be ready and resourced to embrace the digital and hybrid space, compared to smaller churches.
In National Church News, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Sean "Diddy" Combs have announced they are teaming up to bring exclusive sermons to Revolt, the hip hop mogul’s multimedia platform. The two are collaborating on a show titled “Kingdom Culture with T.D. Jakes” which will feature sermons and conversations broadcasted from Jakes' Dallas-based church, The Potter’s House. “Kingdom Culture's weekly Sunday service will feature topics such as vision, leadership, growth, power, love and more. "This partnership is monumental for REVOLT, expanding into the faith space to create a program that will inspire millions around the world to have hope and walk in their power," Combs stated. "Bishop Jakes is one of the most transformational leaders of our time who has made a profound impact on my life, so we're honored for him to join the REVOLT family and use his gift to empower the culture.”.
Agape Church of Los Angeles Worship Center: Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center 4305 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 Corprate Office: 4602 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 2A, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 295-5571 www.agapela.org
Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Founder & Senior Pastor
Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Loving, Lifting & Liberating Humanity Through The Word
Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of South L.A. 10905 S. Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 566.5286
Pastor Alvin Stafford Jr.
Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 10:30am Book by Book Bible Study (Wed.): 6:30pm Sunday service broadcast on Facebook live Sunday school and Book by Book Bible Study services are conducted on Zoom For more information, visit www.bethelsola.com
Grace Temple Baptist Church 7017 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 971-8192
Pastor Dwaine Jackson
Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:15 am Bible Study (Tues): Noon Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 6:00pm
Calvary Baptist Church 4911 W. 59th Street,Los Angeles, CA,90056 (323)298-1605•F: (310) 568-8430 • calvarybaptistla.org Rev. Dr. Virgil V. Jones Sunday Prayer: 8:30am Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study: 12:00pm & 7:00pm
We are the Church on the Hill where the Light Shines Bright!
Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 www.christianfellowshipla.org
Pastor James K. McKnight
Sunday LiveStream: 10:00am (facebook.com/christianfellowshipla) Sunday Conference Call: 10:00am (310-372-7549 / code: 342408) Tue/Thurs Morning Word & Prayer: 7:00am Wed. Bible Study w/ Elder Stephen Brown (701-802-5001 / code: 825252#
Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org
Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr.
Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:30pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:30pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:30pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:30pm
God’s Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ / Prayer Clinic & Deliverance Ministry P.O. Box 561368, Los Angeles,CA 90056 (323)293-7566 • www.gfdjc.org• gfdjc@att.net Ruby Cottle, Ph.D., Pastor & Teacher
Prophetess June Morgan / Assistant Pastor Services Every Friday: 7:00pm-9:30pm
We meet at: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3901 West Adams Blvd, LA, CA 90018
Watch Dr. Cottle on HBN TV on Wed’s 7:30am Starting May 2nd: Channel 886 Dish, Smart TV 35.2
Rev. Rodney Howard
Sunday L.I.F.E Group: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:30am Wednesday Intercessory Prayer: 6:30pm Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm
Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, Senior Pastor
Reappointed to Grant AME Church Los Angeles Rev. Dr. James A. Rumph
Sunday School: 8am Worship: 9:30am Wed. Bible Study: 11:30am •6pm Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103 • F: (323) 235-3177 • www.mtzionla.org
Dr. Edward V. Hill, II, Pastor
Sunday Intercessory Prayer: 9:15am Morning Worship: 9:30am Children’s Church: 9:30am Sunday School: 11:30am Baptism: 2nd Sun. & Lord’s Supper:
1st Sunday
Tues. Pastor’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Wed. Noon-day Prayer: Noon
Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996
Rev. DeNon Porter
Early Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11am Radio-KALI 900AM: Sun. 11-Noon, 7-8pm KTYM 1460AM Sundays: 5:30pm Bible Study (Tues, Wed & Thurs): 7pm
Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 703-5868 • www.holmanumc.com Email: holman@holmanumc.com
Rev. Dr. Ken Walden, Senior Pastor
Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday Radio: KJLH 102.3FM at 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am (Children/Youth) &
9:45am (Adults)
Bible Study: Every Thursday @ Noon We Gather,Grow,Go and Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Macedonia LA 1751 East 114th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 569-9561 • www.macedonia-la-org
Senior Pastor Shane B. Scott
Sunday Worship Service: 7:30am|10:00am Live MondayBible Study: 7:00pm (Log-in to Zoom Meeting ID: 377-818-648 or Dial In: 346-248-7799)
Life Of Faith Church 8216 S. Hover Street, Los Angeles,CA 90044 Office: (562) 375-1668 Website: www.lofnation.org • Youtube:LifeOfFaithChurchLive • Facebook: LifeOfFaithChurch•IG: LifeOfFaithC
Pastor Anthony Pigee, Jr.
Morning Worship: 10:00am Bible Study: 7:00pm
McCarty Memorial Christian Church 4103 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-4131 • www.mccartychurch.org
Senior Pastor Edward Anderson
Sunday Worship: 10:45am Bible Study: Tues @ 12:30pm/ Wed @6:00pm Zoom Call Into: (605) 472-5454/Access:188857
Online Services Stream Live: Sundays@10:45am to www.mccartychurch.org Give: Text 77977 Instagram@mccartyconnect
Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Inc. 4269 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 •Fax: (323) 846-1964
Reverend Johnteris Tate-Pastor
Sunday Church School: 8:00am Worship Service: 9:15am Baptist Training Union: 7:00am Tues. Bible Study/Prayer:Noon & 7:00pm
FIRST LADY FILES
KAREN A. BROWN
Contributor
Stacy Hubbard
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church
Moving to Los Angeles from Dallas, Texas, and leaving her entire family, friends and church fellowship was a huge change and challenge for First Lady Stacy Hubbard, who grew up in a closeknit and religious family. She came to Los Angeles after marrying the love of her life, Rev. Greg Hubbard, senior pastor of the Jerusalem Baptist Church of South Los Angeles, California. “It was so easy to marry Pastor Hubbard because we were already friends. We were already family”, she said. Lady Stacy and Rev. Hubbard both grew up in the Hopewell Baptist Church, of Dallas where Rev. Hubbard’s brother, Rev. Michael Hubbard currently serves as pastor. “I didn’t have to introduce him to anybody nor did he have to introduce me to anybody. His family liked me and my family liked him. It is a perfect match!”, said Lady Hubbard. The eldest sibling of two, Lady Stacy has one “baby sister” who she is extremely close to, so she had great reservations when it came to leaving her sister behind. “My mom and dad always taught us: ‘As long as you have each other you have everything. So, we have a very special relationship.” A natural lover of people, Lady Hubbard, has a fond affection for the members of the Jerusalem church where she and her husband have been serving for six-plus years, and recently celebrated their 6th Pastoral Anniversary. “The Lord placed people there that were so welcoming and so encouraging”, she said. Standing firm on the Word of God and the love for family, the Hubbards have a blended family of three sons. Lady Stacy is tremendously gifted and brings with her a plethora of church experiences not the least of which ushering, singing, directing, teaching, and administrative skills. “My husband has a great mission that God has given him, and I know I’m here to help him with that.” Her favorite scripture is “I sought the Lord and he delivered me.” Psalm 34:4
New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 • www.newantiochcogic.org
Superintendent Jeffrey M. Lewis
Sunday Early Worship: 8am Sunday Morning Worship: 11am Sunday School: 9:30am Tuesday Bible Study: 11am Wednesday In The Word: 7pm All services streamed on Facebook and You Tube @New Antioch Church of God In Christ
Park Windsor Baptist Church 1842 W. 108th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 756-3966 • RevTerrellTaylor@sbcglobal.net
Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121 F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church
George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher
Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 11:30am Discipleship Groups (Sun): 9:45am Noonday Bible Study(Tue): 12:00pm Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Radio: KKLA 99.5 FM (Sat): 9:00pm Our Goal: To glorify God by winning more Christians and developing better Christians (Matt. 28:18-20)
Rev. Terrell Taylor
Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Bible Study Wednesday: Noon & 7:00pm Communion: 1st Sunday at 8:00am &
11:00am
Pastor Roshod Sundays: Morning Worship:
8:00am & 11:00am
Wednesday Bible Study & Mid Week Worship:
Noon & 7:00pm
Prayer Meeting: 6:30pm
St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org
Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor
Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed Corporate Prayer: 6:00 - 6:55 pm Monday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Noon Prayer: 12 Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson:
7:00pm
The Potter’s House at One LA 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • www.tphla.org
Sr. Pastor Toure’ Roberts
Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 11:15am & 1:00pm Thursday Midweek Service: 8pm
Watch Live: http://tphla.org/watch-live/
Trinity Baptist Church 2040 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-0044 • F: (323) 735-0219
Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr
Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am YouTube channel: tv.trinitybaptist.cloud Facebook/Website:trinitybaptistchurchofla.org SundayRadio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9:00am Zoom Wed. Night Virtual Bible Study: 7:00pm Sign in to zoom.us click on “join in a meeting” enter meeting ID: 480-271-5449. By phone call 1-699-900-6833 give zoom ID. Sign-in at 6:55pmrchofla.org Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 • F: (323)264-6601 • www.wellerstreetlive.com
Pastor K.W. Tulloss
Sunday School: 8:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm
www.wellerstreetlive.com
“We have not walked this way before” Joshua 3:1-6
West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 733-8300
Bishop Charles E. Blake
Sunday School: 8:00am & 10:30am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship (North Campus): 7:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm Sun. Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10am www.westa.tv
Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church 12930 No. Lime Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-0536 • F: (323) 636-2080 • www.citizensofzion.org
In Compton
Rev. Bobby Newman, Jr., Senior Pastor; Rev. B.T. Newman, Pastor (Pastor Emeritus)
Service Time: 10:45 Virtual Worship: Youtube
Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • (Tues - Thurs 10am -4pm)
Dr. Michael J. Fisher, Senior Pastor
Sunday Worship: 9:00am Online Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm
FB: GreaterZionChurchFamily IG: GZCFamily
www.gzcfamily.com
Rev. Dr. George L. Thomas Sunday School: 9:45am & 10:15am Early Morning Worship: 7:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11:15am New Members’ Class: 9:45am Holy-Communion (1st Sunday): 7:30 & 11:15am Mid-Week Prayer & Bible Study (Wed)- 7:00pm Broadcast (KALI 900AM - Sunday): 2:00pm-
3:00pm
Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, (P.O. Box 5449), Compton 90224 (310) 604-5900, www.loveandunity.org • info@loveandunity.org
Apostle Ronald C. Hill, Sr. Founder and Pastor
Live Stream Sunday Worship:10am & 6:30pm Live Stream Bible Studies:Wed.7:30pm&Sat 9am Live Stream Prayer w Apostle: Fri: 9am
Food For Your Soul TV Ministry Impact Televison Network: Mon-Fri @6:30amPST KJLH 102.3 Sundays 9:00pm
Pastor Larry Weaver
Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00
am
Sunday Bible Enrichment Class: 9:45am Mon.-Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12:30pm & 7:00pm
Bible Enrichment Fellowship International 400 E. Kelso, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-4700 • www.bamcm.org
Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford
In Inglewood
Morning Worship: 9:30am Tues. Bible Study: 7:30pm Wed. Mid-Week Prayer:
5am, Noon & 7:00pm
Wednesday Pathway: 7:00pm Thurs Bible Study: 10:00am
Sat Marriage & Family Prayer: 7:30am
Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wed. Mid-Week Service: Noon Wed. Teaching Ministry: 7:00pm 1st Sunday Communion 5th Sunday Baptism
Faithful Central Bible Church 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8000 • F: (310) 330-8035
Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D. Senior Pastor/Teacher
Sunday Services: 7:00am, 9:30am & 11:45am Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7:00pm The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood www.faithfulcentral.com
The City of Refuge 14527 S. San Pedro Street, Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 516-1433
Bishop Noel Jones
In Gardena
Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:00pm Bible Study (Wed): Noon & 7:00pm BET/Fresh Oil (Wed): 7:00am Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303 • blessedfamilycovenant.org
Pastor Wendy Howlett
Sunday Morning Worship & Word: 9:30am Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm View Sunday Worship: www.youtube.com (Under Blessed Family Covenant Church)
Pastor Profile: Ruby Cottle
Church: God’s Faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ How Long at Church: Founded the church in 1999 Hometown: Belize Family: Widowed, one daugher, two granddaughters
How is it to be a female pastor in a hugely diverse and progressive city like Los Angeles?
Well, in the kingdom today, if you are going to be who God has called you to be, you're going to have to first know what your assignment is. I really have no worries about what other people think and feel about me because they did not call me into the ministry. When I realized I was called, I had to go for what I know, so I've never really had a problem about this gender thing because if God has given me a word, I am going to speak that word. I know what God has called me to do.
When I was in the world, I used to work the system and now I'm in the kingdom and I am going to work this word to the max because I am blessed God has given me a platform. We talk about the radical Muslims, well I'm a radical follower of Jesus Christ.
In terms of congegants, where do you find the most resistance–with men or women? I know there are some women who aren’t ready for female pastors just as well as men?
I know there's a lot of women that still have resistance, but last year we had a gentleman who ended up going and joining another church. He was telling one of my associates how women were not supposed to be pastors. But praise God, we had trained this young woman very well and she was able to bring him to scripture. He had to back down because he didn't read the word and didn't see all the women [the Apostle] Paul lifted up in his letters. He was like, ‘Well, I didn't know they had so many women ministers in the kingdom.’ Because they don't read, they take a couple of scriptures and they use it for their excuse and because one of the reasons.
What was your journey to ministry like?
Well, I used to own a store in the Baldwin Hills Mall–the Radiance Boutique. I was the first female and black that opened up a store in the Baldwin Hills Mall in 2021 1988. I used to go to church every Sunday and jump up and carry on. I was religious, but I didn't know Jesus.
So, you were doing it out of a sense of tradition?
Exactly. Every day I read Psalm 31 so that God could bless my business. Early one morning a man was waiting for the May Company (now Macy’s) to open and I invited him into my shop to look around?” I told him we didn’t have anything for men, but I knew he had a wife, mother, sister or daughter.’
He started to look around and all of a sudden, he said to me, “Are you saved?” I said, ‘Saved from what?”
Then he said, ‘Well, let me ask you a question. If you die right now, do you think you're going to heaven?’ I said, no. Now, mind you, I'm going to church every Sunday. And right there in my business, he prayed and laid hands on me. Then he gave me a bunch of scriptures. That's how I got saved.
All of a sudden, I began to feel this hunger for something. I was going to the Catholic Church and I told a friend, there’s got to be more than this. Something is missing. I started to read the Bible and this time when I looked at Psalm 31, I saw where I’d been asking God for 10 years, every day, to save me. There's a scripture in there that says, “Save me, Oh God. Save me for your mercy sake.” 18
Did you have any idea you’d become a preacher?
No. but God was giving me these dreams and there was a woman that used to come to my shop and I would tell her my dreams. ‘Oh my God,’ she said. ‘God has called you into the ministry.’ Well, ministry was a foreign word to me coming from a Catholic background.
Why didn't you just dismiss it?
Only because I had a vision one morning and I heard a word in my dream or vision, that I have ordained you to be a prophet. That's when I realized.
How do you go from being a clothing store owner to a preacher?
When I was in the world, I used to do these big fashion shows I would produce and direct –the whole nine yards and I came to the conclusion, this gift came from God. It's time for me to use it for the kingdom.
Seems you've always been somewhat of a risk taker?
Yes. I believe that God has given me the gift of faith, because everything I've ever said I'm going to do, I've done it.
What did you have to change about yourself to accept God's assignment? I had to begin to be more of a listener and not a talker. James 1:19, “Be quick to hear and slow to speak.”
What would you say is your biggest strength in ministry and your assignment?
To birth other ministries. I am an intercessor. My job is to pray and see things happen. If God gives it to me and I'm praying, I guarantee you we’re going to get an answer. I know it with the depths of my heart. I try to raise up women and men with prayer warrior mentality.
How does your church serve the community?
By interceding. We have a prayer line where anyone and we also help whoever we can, whether it be with food whatever.
Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc. 1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760
Watchman/Shepherd Dr. Robert T. Douglas Sr.
Sunday Fresh Start & Prayer 9:00am Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Services: 11:45am Evening Service: 7:00pm Wed. Lock & Load Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:30pm 3rd Friday Youth Night: 7:30pm www.jacobladderschurch.com
The death of my husband. He was my person that really helped me. Whenever something goes wrong, I used to talk to him.
The other challenge that I have is finding people who are sold out for Christ and then we don't have a lot of men in our ministry. Why? Because for the same reason we spoke of earlier, they have issues.
There's so much going on with COVID, social justice and politics–where do you stand?
I keep my eyes straight ahead. I try not to lean towards the Republicans or Democrats, because when you really come to know the people personally…and I have known them. I used to rub elbows with a lot of people whose names you would know when I was in the world and I know how they think.
I was heavy in politics at one time. Since I got born again, I had to remove myself from the political scene. When I went into the mall, they gave the black people such a rough time that I had to become an advocate.
Today, I want to empower our people or anybody that's willing to receive. We're not supposed to just give you the scripture. We are supposed to help you to be a better product for society and what I find is that many churches are not doing that. I spoke to a man the other day and I said, sir, I don't want to give you a fish. I want to give you the fishing line and teach you how to catch as many fish as you need.
There are so many people who are impoverished in the church, but nobody is telling them how and what to do. We’re giving them scriptures and it's okay, but I want you to not just be so heave n l y minded u n t i l you’re no earthly g o o d , because Jesus said occupy until I come.
Though David–the eighth son of Jesse who was anointed by Samuel under God’s direction to become the king of Israel– had learned to put his trust in God, he had many conflicts, transgressions and distresses. In his songs, he shows us the very heart of a man after God’s own heart. David writes this psalm because it is a song of prayer, because it was in troubled times that David knew how to get some help. He realized it’s time to pray.
It's bad when you get in trouble or things are going wrong and you don't know where to get help from.
Psalms 121 says, “My help comes from the Lord, which made the heavens and the earth. The Lord is my shepherd. The Lord is my shade upon the right hand. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time and forevermore.”
David knew that in order for God to answer his prayer, he must learn to confess and repent from his sins.
Ladies and gentlemen, stop talking about you have not sinned. All of us have sinned. David says, I learned that I have to confess that I have sinned; and I have to repent from sins.
David had written seven Psalms of repentance. He wrote Psalms 6, Psalms 32, Psalms 8, Psalms 51, Psalms 102, Psalms 130 and Psalms 143.
In Psalms 23, he learned God's divine ownership. In Psalms 27, he learned God's power to sustain him and keep his faith in troubled times. He learned to thank God in Psalms 118 for His mercy that endures forever. And in all the psalms David wrote, he learned to give God praise.
David is telling us the first thing we must do if we want to have God answer our prayers is to wait on the Lord. In the midst of your problems, fears, success, and in the midst of a lack of faith, wait upon the Lord.
Psalms 47, 13 and 14 said, “I had faith because I had to believe to see the goodness of God.”
Some people out here get themselves in trouble and are always in a hurry to get out of trouble. You expect God to show up right away to get you out of trouble. But God has a way of letting you stay in trouble and wait on Him until He’s able to deliver you. And sometimes when we get in trouble, God wants us to learn a lesson because when you learn something, you think twice about getting yourself in trouble again. So, David says wait on the Lord, – the Lord of blessings.
The next thing he says after you wait on the Lord, is that you need to witness God's goodness. How many of you can really say I’ve witnessed the goodness of God in my life…I know where I came from and I’ve witnessed what God has done in my life?
I won’t get on the “Amens”, but I’m going to tell you that you ought to be a witness to God's goodness. The Lord is good and upright. Witness the goodness of the Lord in the guiding.
Psalms 31: 19 says, “Oh, how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men.
As a servant, he said, I believe in your secret, Lord.
You ought to believe in the secret of the Lord. What is that? That means that if God has a blessing for you. You just wait on Him and He will show you His goodness and no one else will even know how you got blessed because God’s goodness is forever.
David says my eyes are ever toward the Lord for He shall pluck my feet out of the net and He will deliver me out of all my temptations and tribulations.
What a great God!
Psalms 52 says, “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, Oh mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually.” Galatians 5:22 says, “The fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith.” And then the Psalms 100:4-5, he said, if you want to understand the goodness of God. He says, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name for the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting. His truth endureth to all generations.”
Think about where God brought you from and how God has blessed you. Think about how God has provided for and taken care of you. Just think about what God has done to your mind, with what your mind used to be.
We’re talking about the goodness of God. Don't forget how bad you were, and God looked beyond your faults and saw your needs.
Young people, don’t forget that you may be young, but you need to see the goodness of God. Satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy you, but because of His goodness, God is always around to protect you from the hand of Satan which comes in many forms. Could be the form of a man or a woman. It can even come in the form of a child, so you can’t see it coming to distract you, and destroy you.
Now, not only will you see the goodness of God, but you want to witness the work of God. How many of you can say God has worked on me? How many of you can say be patient with me for God is still not through with me yet. He's not through with any of us yet.
Some people will say I’m finished–that the Lord has done what he needed to do with me. No, he’s not through with you yet, because you still got some you in you– some me, myself and I. God has to wait on you to find out that it ain’t about you. It's about God Himself.
So, David, the king of Israel, invites us to watch God's work and His will. David has so much confidence in God. He has put all his faith and trust in the work of God. David is waiting and watching to see how God will deliver him from all his trouble. He says, “God, I'm overwhelmed and distressed and helpless and sorrowed. I’m in pain, I'm in a sinful mood right now. Come Lord and show me thy mercy.”
David is asking for mercy because of the sin he committed with Bathsheba where he had her husband Uriah killed on the frontlines of the battle so he could be with her.
In the 51st Psalms, David asks God to create within him a clean heart and renew the right spirit within him. He asked God to curse him not away from His presence and take not His Holy Spirit from him. He asked God to restore unto him the joy of salvation and uphold him with God’s free spirit.
Because of that prayer, God did deliver David from the hand of Saul, from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of Absalom, the son who tried to kill him and ran him out of town.
I stopped by to tell somebody you ought to think before you mess with God's anointed [people] for God is watching and wants us to watch how He works. You don't have to do anything. Watch and pray because God is able to handle the situations without your help.
You see if it was left up to you, you will handle your business and not be blessed. I stopped by to tell somebody that God is looking out for us.
So, do this for me: look back for your life. You should be able to testify about how to wait on God, – how He answered your prayer. You should be able to testify how you’re a witness of God’s goodness and the miracles God worked in your life. God bless you.
Pastor Alex Toussaint
True Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 7901 South Van Ness Ave. Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 750-7304
Rev. James A. Perkins
Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:45am Bible Adventure Hour (Tues): 6pm Bible Study (Tues): 7pm Bible Study (Thurs): Noon
Antioch Church of Long Beach 350 Pine Ave. ,Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 591-8778 •www.antiochlb.com In Long Beach
Senior Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr. Online Services
Stream live: Sunday 10:00 am at antiochlb.com Give: text antiochib to 77977
Social Media:
facebook.com/antiochlb instagram.com/antiochlb youtube.com/antiochlongbeach Christian’s Community Center of Los Angeles 3960 E. Gilman Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 (562) 597-3252
Senior Pastor Thom Washington
Live Stream Sunday Service: 11:00am Wednesday Night Prayer: 6:00pm Sunday Bible Class: 9:30am Sunday Afternoon Services: 4:00pm (2nd & 4th Sunday) Wednesday Prayer: 6:00pm Bible Study Wednesday 7pm
Gospel Memorial Church of God In Christ 1480 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-7389 • F: 562-599-5779 • gospelmemorial@aol.com
Bishop Joe L. Ealy
Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Intercessory Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Pastoral teaching adults: 7:30pm Wed. Youth Ministry Boot-Camp; Youth Bible Study: 7:00pm & Choir Rehearsal: 7:30pm
Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com • www.grantamelb.org Greater Emmanuel Temple 3740 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood, CA 90262 (424) 296-0400 •www.greateremmanuel.org In Lynwood
Pastor Nissan Stewart Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00am Wednesday Prayer: 6:30pm Mid-Week Refuel/Bible Study: 7:00pm (Wednesday) Follow us: @GETFamilyNow
The Greater Emmanuel Temple App Available in App Store
Walking In The Spirit Ministries Double Tree (Sonoma Grill) 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk CA 90650 (213) 248-6343 P.O Box 1597 Norwalk CA,90651 In Norwalk
Tim & Leshia Brooks
Morning Worship: 11:00am Services Held Every 2nd & 4th Sunday and Free Breakfast Is Served Bible Study: 8:30am (Every 5th Friday)
Christ Second Baptist Church 1471 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-3421 • Fax: (562) 599-6175 • www.csbclb.org
Rev. Welton Pleasant II, Senior Pastor
Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service : 9:40am Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7:00pm
Rev. Dr. Michael W. Eagle, Sr.
Sun. Worship Experience: 10:45am 3rd Sun. Healing & Anointing: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 6pm Mothers of Murdered Youth & Children
Where all receive a little attention, affection and love.
Arise Christian Center 6949 La Tijera Blvd. Suite C,Westchester, CA,90045 (310)568-8445•F: (310) 568-8430 • Arisechristiancenter.com In Westchester
Pastor Ron Taylor Morning Worship: 9:00am & 11:15am Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer Tuesday : 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer Sunday: 8am - 8:45am Thursday:11:30am-12:30pm
Weber continued from page 6 tion) is coming fast and that it has been an extremely unusual year of election after election. Weber also provided details to media outlets needed to inform voters: from when to expect mail-in ballots, to the number of candidates, to when the polls will open and close, and the impact of voter turnout. The budget for the Office of Secretary of State in the 2020-2021 fiscal year was $252,722,000. But the recall election has a hefty price tag. “We are not really sure the total amount,” Weber said. “In the end, it could be close to 400 million and some people say $500 million. Yes, it is an expensive enterprise. It’s a serious one not only in terms of financing.” Whatever the recall election outcome is in September, Weber said that Californians will have a chance to elect another governor in two years. “No question. The regular elections move on,” Weber said. “We’ll have the primary election in June (2022) and the general election in November (2022).” Evictions continued from page 6 activists called on elected officials to oppose the deal. “We oppose this deal today and will continue to oppose this deal because it is bad for our community,” Smart stated. “It is time for Black people with the knowledge and ability to build in our community and purchase the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall. Even if the sale were to go through, the group says the fight is far from over. “We do have a Plan B,” Goodmon said.
the spread of the virus,” Pelosi wrote. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki stated that the administration had taken further action to prevent Americans from experiencing eviction. Psaki said nearly 33 percent of the country wouldn’t face eviction through August. “Thanks to the bipartisan COVID relief act Congress passed in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan the Biden administration enacted in March, state and local governments long ago received emergency rental assistance — a $46.5 billion plan to protect millions of Americans facing deep rental debt and potential eviction during the pandemic,” Psaki continued. Some cities and states have “demonstrated their ability to release these funds efficiently to tenants and landlords in need,” Psaki further insisted. “But even though funds began to be distributed in February by the Biden administration, too many states and cities have been too slow to act,” she determined. Psaki continued: “There is no excuse for any state or locality not to promptly deploy the resources that Congress appropriated to meet the critical need of so many Americans. “This assistance provides the funding to pay landlords current and back rent so tenants can remain in their homes or apartments, not be evicted. “No one in America should be evicted when federal funds are available, in the hands of state and local government, to pay back rent due.” While Congresswoman Pelosi has asked President Biden to act, Psaki said he would have strongly supported a decision by the CDC to extend the eviction moratorium. “Unfortunately, the Supreme Court declared on June 29 that the CDC could not grant such an extension without clear and specific congressional authorization via new legislation,” Psaki said. Because of the spread of the Delta variant, President Biden asked the CDC to consider executive action. The White House said he raised the prospect of a new, 30-day eviction moratorium focused on counties with high or substantial case rates. Psaki said the temporary measure would spur states and localities to ramp up emergency rental assistance programs to full spend — allowing every landlord to collect the rent they are owed and ensuring no eligible family gets evicted. “To date, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and her team Crenshaw Mall continued from page 7
Star Parker continued from page 8 heed other voices.
Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show "Cure America with Star Parker." To find out more about Star Parker, visit www.creators.com.
If you’re a cooking connoisseur than you might know Rashad Armstead from the Food Network reality-based competition, Chopped, where four chefs vy for $10,000. In 2019, he was crowned the winner thanks to his fried catfish, BBQ mini brisket biscuit sandwiches and Jambalaya mac and cheese. At 33, the Bay Area native has been cooking for more than two decades, having cooked his first meal–fried chicken–when he was about ten. “It was so good that my mom started letting me cook it for dinner. Everybody was coming over to try my food and when my parents would leave town, I would make all these experimental dishes and test them all out on my little sister. That's how the creative part of me started to flow.” Ironically, as he was appearing on “Chopped”, his life was falling apart. “I went through a divorce, losing my businesses and being flat out broke, even homelessness.” What held him together was his faith. “I know about the power of prayer and faith–knowing God loves you enough to get you through whatever you're going through.” Today, aside from his Food Network appearances, Chef Rashad operates the Black Food Collective in Oakland, a takeout spot that serves as an affordable rotating pop up for localvendors. The secret to his success? Passion. “Anybody can cook, but when you have someone that is putting their heart into that meal and they love what they do, it tastes different. It's almost like grandma's cooking.”
Jambalaya Mac n’ Cheese
Ingredients:
1 celery stalk 1/2 cup diced bell peppers 1/2 cup diced onion 2 tbsp chopped garlic olive oil 1/2 cup, chopped Andouille sausages 1/2 cup, shrimp 1/4 cup, crab meat 2 2oz, lobster tails 8 crawfish 2 tbsp creole seasoning salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Sauce: 1/2 lb butter 1/2 cup flour 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (more or less for desired texture) 1/2 cup mild cheddar 1/4 cup sharp cheddar 1/2 cup Monterey Jack 1/4 cup Colby Jack 1/2 cup of Asiago (2/3 cups of all 5 cheeses set aside for the top) Salt and Pepper 1/2 pound Rotin pasta or pasta of your choice
Directions: 1. Melt butter in a sauce pot, add flour and whisk together until cream, add heavy cream until flour and butter mixer are blended in. Allow the mixer to cook for about 7 minutes, then add all the cheese and season with salt and pepper. 2. Boil Rotini pasta until al dente. 3. Saute the Onion, Celery, and Bell-pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, add sausages and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add shrimp and lobster meat. Cook for 5 minutes, then add garlic and crawfish. Season with creole seasoning, salt and pepper.
SavingGrace
Jennifer Hudson
With Jennifer Hudson’s performance in “Respect”, the forthcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, it’s easy to see why she was handpicked by the Queen of Soul to portray her, and while the 39-year old Oscar-winning actress has prepped for the part for more than 15 years, it’s just as clear that it is a role she was born to play.
“When I look back throughout my career thus far - many times I got to tribute Aretha, meet her, sing her songs, admire her. Thinking back to Dreamgirls, people mentioned that I was reminiscent of a young version of Aretha Franklin.” Hudson explains. “Now it seems that it was destined in a way,”
“I had a dream for myself after Dreamgirls - coming off something as big as that? And I said the only thing that could top that would be to play Aretha Franklin, and I don't know if she heard me or if she had that same thing in mind,” reveals Hudson, who admitted to being terrified just to be sitting at the table with her childhood idol. “But right after I won my Oscar for Dreamgirls, she wanted to meet me, and it was in New York over 15 years ago. We sat down, and we talked about me playing her. And she told me I was very shy, asking me “'What–are you shy or something?” I remember telling her “well I am sitting here talking to Ms. Aretha Franklin.”
In theaters August 13, the film also stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, and Mary J. Blige. Thus far, reviews have been stellar for the two-time Grammy® Award-winning recording artistturned-actress whose career highlights include performing at President Obama’s Inauguration, the Super Bowl XLVII, and the Academy Awards® and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Franklin’s family–who publicly blasted Genius, the 2020 National Geographic series starring Cynthia Erivo–has embraced the movie. Son Kecalf Franklin thanked MGM for its professional treatment, while characterizing Hudson’s portrayal of his mother as “phenomenal”.
Some would credit that to the many parallels between Franklin and Hudson, –perhaps none more profound than the essence of what their vocal gift meant to them. “Her singing, her knowing her calling, her anointing is what we would call,” Hudson said of Franklin. “It was her saving grace. That was her comfort, which you will see in this film. You'll get to learn that [music] became her healer. The stage became her home, and that was her comfort zone. And that was something that belonged to her that she could always go to – anytime she would sing she would go into that place. That was her safe haven, her comfort zone, her shelter, her expression.”
Hudson continues: “She got to minister to the people and became a voice and an advocate for social justice, and the music supported that [overlap] and vice versa and the people, which I think helped make her as impactful as she is still to this day.”
Hudson sees a lot of herself in Franklin and like her idol, she has had to overcome early disappointment and trauma.
Says Hudson, “That's why the songs had so much depth as a teenager because look at how much life experience she had by the time she was 10 and 12 and 14. She sang from a different place because she experienced so much, and the death of her mother, oh my God, my heart hurts – still hurts for that.”
For Hudson, unimaginable tragedy struck on October 24, 2008 when her mother and brother were found murdered. The nation mourned with her and for the next three days, they would pray with her as police searched for her 7-year-old nephew, who was also killed by the estranged husband of her sister, Julia.
It was a heartbreak that only her faith was able to pull her through. "There would be no point in faith if it wasn't tested," she has said looking back. "My mother always told me no matter how negative your life seems to be, you must always look for a positive." Yet, most importantly, like Franklin, Hudson found her voice in the church. “I started singing in church,” Hudson states. “I was a lap baby on my grandmother's knee in the choir. They wanted a note hit, and I hit the note. Well, when you grow up in church singing the way Aretha and I did, you know, you learn to sing with a purpose with substance to a higher calling such as God – it's a completely different thing than just a simple song, it creates a sacred connection and comfort, which again I can, it's my life. “The church is everything, which is why it was so crucial in this. I'm like it would not be an Aretha Franklin film if it does not begin and end with the church in everything, even in “Respect” or “Think” or “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman,” Hudson explains. “I was always there to remind them the base is the church for she and I. And I feel as though that is the biggest connection.”
Stifled growing up by her shyness, the Chicago native was encouraged by her mother to pursue a professional singing career, and after a stint singing on a cruise ship, Hudson auditioned for American Idol in 2004.
She would make the live finals as a wildcard entry, only to be eliminated in seventh place having been told by Idol judge, Simon Cowell, that she was out of her depth in the competition. But as fate would have it, Hollywood had taken notice and after beating out 800 actresses for the role of Effie, she was cast opposite Eddie Murphy, Beyonce, and Jamie Foxx in Dreamgirls. The success of the 2006 box office smash and the Academy Award it earned her (along with a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award) would thrust her into the spotlight in 2007, leading to a threealbum recording contract and major roles in movies like “Sex In The City” and “The Secret Life of Bees”.
Hudson’s 2008 self-titled debut won a Grammy® Award entering Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 2 and marked the biggest first week sales for an R&B female entry since 2004 and has since sold over 1.1 million albums worldwide to date. Two albums followed.
Hudson added author to her list of accomplishments in 2012 with the release of her New York Times bestselling memoir, “I Got This: How I Changed My Ways, Found Myself and Lost Everything that Weighed Me Down,” after losing over 80 pounds on a Weight Watcher’s diet.
In the years since, she has appeared in numerous movies–including Winnie Mandela and Spike Lee’s ChiRaq – and has served as a judge on NBC’s Emmy-winning series, The Voice as well as The Voice UK.
Most recently, she was seen in the Anthony Mandler film, Monster on Netflix alongside Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jeffrey Wright, and A$AP Rocky. Hudson is also an executive producer of the short VR film, Baba Yaga, which had its world premiere at the 2020 Venice Film Festival.
For the moment, however, Hudson’s attention is on “Respect” and the legacy of Aretha Franklin.
“We all have a respect for Aretha Franklin but by the time you get to the end of the movie, I would like for everyone to have a newfound respect for her, but I feel like it’s so many takeaways.
“There’s takeaways for people just being human trying to achieve goals and dreams. For women, trying to find their own way and having a voice. It’s so many things to have as a takeaway but it’s a matter of perspective and that’s up to the viewer at the end of the day.”
