56 minute read
Hollywood Buzz
HOLLYWOOD SPOT LIGHT
Chez Hadley
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They say a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s apparently the case with Will Smith, whose forthcoming film, Emancipation, was inspired by a photo of the scarred back of a real life slave dubbed "Whipped Peter," taken during a Union Army medical examination, and served to magnify the brutal reality of slavery for the world to see when it was published in Harper’s Weekly in 1863. One image, known as “The Scourged Back,” helped to fuel growing public opposition to slavery.
“Emancipation” tells the triumphant story of an escaped slave, Peter (Will Smith), who relies on his wits, unwavering faith and deep love of his family to evade cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana in making his way north where he joins the Union Army to fight in the Civil War.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the powerful action thriller features disturbing images and strong racial violence in its depictions of the horrors of slavery.
“Throughout my career, I’ve turned down many films that were set in slavery. I never wanted to show us like that. And then this picture came along. And this is not a film about slavery. This is a film about freedom. This is a film about resilience. This is a film about faith.”
Will Smith is masterful in the lead role with a standout cast that includes Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Steven Ogg, Jayson Warner Smith, Imani Pullum, Mastafa Shakir and Aaron Moten.
The film is set to bow in theaters on December 2 and on Apple TV+ December 9.
OUT THIS MONTH
Avatar: The Way of Water December 16
Mindcage December 16 I Wanna Dance With Somebody • December 21 White Noise December 30
Viola Davis Goes For EGOT Status
She’s earned two Tony awards, a lead actor Emmy for her work in “How to Get Away With Murder”, an Oscar for her role in “Fences” and last month Viola Davis scored a spoken word Grammy nomination for 2022 memoir, “Finding Me”. If she wins, she will become only the third Black woman (behind Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Hudson) to achieve EGOT status having earned awards on TV (Emmy), record (Grammy), film (Oscar), stage (Tony). But it may not be that easy given the stiff competition she’s up against, including Jamie Foxx for his audiobook “Act Like You Got Some Sense”, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Questlove’s “Music Is History.” G u e s s we’ll all just have to wait until Feb ruary 5 to see. In the mean time, Davis has five proj ects
HOLLYWOOD BUZZ on tap including the films, “Air Jordan” and “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. L.A. Focus/ December 2022 12
Will Smith Hopes Angered Fans Won’t Take Out Their Wrath by Not Support-
ing His New Film (But understands if they don’t’ want to see it) Will Smith is understandably concerned about the December 2 release of “Emancipation”, his first film since the Oscars slap felt around the world, and while he has taken responsibility for his actions , he is not all that sure of where he stands with America’s filmgoing public. “I completely understand – if someone is not ready, I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready,” Smith told Fox 5’s Good Day DC journalist Kevin McCarthy. “My deepest concern is my team — Antoine [Fuqua] has done what I think is the greatest work of his entire career. The people on this team have done some of the best work of their entire careers, and my deepest hope is that my actions don’t penalize my team. At this point, that’s what I’m working for.” Emancipation tells the story of a runaway slave –whose photographs were circulated to illustrate the brutality of slavery–and his harrowing escape through the Louisiana swamps to the north.
Meeting of the Mindless
You’ve probably heard Kanye West is running for president, even tapping Milo Yiannopoulos who’s believed to be a white supremacist as his campaign manager. But that not the craziest part of it. Instead, who wouldn’t have wanted to be a fly on the wall when “Ye” asked Trump to be his vicepresident. “When Trump started basically screaming at me at the table telling me I was going to lose – I mean has that ever worked for anyone in history,” West said, recounting Trump’s response. “I’m like hold on, hold on, hold on, Trump, you’re talking to Ye.” Trump’s view of the conversation was just as crazy, stating: “So I help a seriously troubled man, who just happens to be black, Ye (Kanye West), who has been decimated in his business and virtually everything else, and who has always been good to me, by allowing his request for a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, alone, so that I can give him much needed “advice,” he begins. “He shows up with three people, two of which I didn’t know, the other a political person who I haven’t seen in years. I told him don’t run for office, a total waste of time, can’t win!”
Snoop Biopic in The Works
It has been a long time coming but Snoop will finally have his day as his life story is set for the big screen. The forthcoming biopic will be co-produced by Universal Pictures and his newly formed company, Death Row Pictures. “I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind. It was the perfect marriage,” said the Grammynominated rapper. And of course, the film is going to feature some of his top hits.
Footnotes
OctaviaSpencer
Hometown: Montgomery, Alabama Age: 52 Breakout Role: “The Help” Current Projects: “Truth Be Told”, “Spirited” Upcoming: “The Bobby Love Story”; “Feds” Born with Dyslexia, Octavia Spencer graduated from Auburn University as an English major with a double minor in journalism and theater. Though she made her film debut in 1996 with a bit part in “A Time To Kill”, 15 years would pass before her breakout role in “The Help”. Critically acclaimed roles in “Fruitvale Station”, “Hidden Figures”, “Get On Up” and “Self-Made” followed along with a recurring role in the CBS sitcom, Mom. To her credit are three SAG Awards, a Golden Globe award and an Oscar. In 2019, she got the role she wanted the most as producer when she launched her own production company, Orit Entertainment. On her Apple TV series,"Truth Be Told”: I like that Poppy is a journalist and skates between the criminal element that is her job and the criminal element her father sort of foments. I've been so used to my character’s lives not being fully realized. Being able to show all aspects of Poppy and make this woman a whole person has been amazing.
On how she chooses her roles: Every character has a set of skills, and if you, the actor, don’t have them already, you have to do your research. I’m guided by roles that resonate with me personally. If I take on projects based on the social impact that I think they’ll have and it backfires, I lose my sense of self.
On being a producer: I always wanted to produce but acting happened first. I’m dyslexic, so every morning the first thing I have to do is wake up my brain with puzzles and brain teasers. I see producers as the people who fit all the pieces together. I always felt that if I relied on other people to get me work, then I’d be out of work rather quickly, because people only see you in these archetypal roles. By producing, I get to hold the reins a bit tighter while providing opportunities for other marginalized storytellers.
On what her mother taught her: I had a very strong mom who made me and my sisters understand that there were no limitations on our lives except what we placed on ourselves. I think she gave me the necessary foundation to be able to do what I do. You have to have blind faith in yourself and your ability–to not know that there’s a wall there because if you’re constantly looking for barriers, then they will be there.
On her 6-part docuseries about the FBI for ID: “As viewers, we have never been as inside the case as we are in this series. Being a true crime follower myself, speaking to active special agents with the FBI has been a thrill, and I could not be more excited to share Feds with the ID audience.”
On her self-care philosophy: Don’t be in such a hurry; it’s important to have a strong work ethic, but enjoy the little moments in between. Take vacations, take staycations.
RedCarpet Style
KELLY ROWLAND turned up the heat at the American Music Awards in this animal print creation from Nicolas Jebran
GABRIELLE UNION was daring in this sheer black floral lace gown from Prada
ANGELA BASSETT was fierce in this white showstopper from Giambattista Valli VIOLA DAVIS was striking in this multicolored Christopher John Rogers halter gown
JANELLE MONAE was a standout in this black pleated gown by Giambattista Valli
Eye OnGospel
Doug Williams Launches New Label
Doug Williams of the Williams Brothers has announced the launch of his new label, DLW Music Group, and its first release will be a new holiday single featuring Gerald Albright.
“I started to feel a tug in my spirit in 2020 during the pandemic that it was time to start my own label,” says Willams. “I had recently retired from Blackberry Records, so I was reluctant at first, but the Holy Spirit kept prompting me to move and I was obedient.”
Williams’ also began writing songs and eventually enlisted long-time co-producer Stan Jones to help bring them to life. Their unmistakable musical alchemy resulted in an album that will be released on DLW Music Group in 2023, as well as “An Unusual Child” - the new single available for the 2022 holiday season.
“I want people to be uplifted and encouraged during this Holiday season just knowing that we have a Savior who’s continuously working on our behalf,” says Williams. “I heard a preacher speaking about ‘an unusual child’ and that sparked the whole concept inside of me. He was an unusual child with an unusual assignment, and we are blessed that God gave us a Savior through His son Jesus Christ.”
Pastor Mike’s Winning Season
“Wel come to winn i n g season”, Pastor Mike Jr., recently posted on Instagram and winning season it is for the 11x Stellar Award Winner, affectionately known as PMJ. Dubbed “The New King of Urban Inspiration,” Pastor Mike has scored three consecutive number-one singles (“B!G,” “I Got It,” and “Amazing”) on Billboard’s National Gospel Airplay chart. His breakout single “B!G” was recognized as Billboard’s #1 Gospel Airplay Song of 2020. He serves as the Senior Pastor of Rock City Church in Birmingham, AL.
His brand-new EP, Winning, features 8 stand-out tracks of encouragement with Pastor Mike’s signature sound, trap music cadences, and lyrical mastery. The title track, “WINNING,” is a declaration of positive affirmations, while the EP’s lead single, “impossible”–featuring James Fortune–has captured the hearts of so many over the last three years during moments of spontaneous worship.
“In my life, I’ve always wrestled with anxiety and sometimes depression, so I overthink and don’t know how to live in the moment. Now, for the first time in my life, I am living in the moment and I’m grateful for all God is doing - it’s winning season!” Pastor Mike shared.
Lecrae Releases Church Clothes 4
In the ten years since Reach Records' president & cofounder, Lecrae, initially released Church Clothes, he has evolved from an artist into a New York Times bestselling author, investor, thought leader, entrepreneur, activist, financial educator, and philanthropist. Yet, his mission remains the same, to represent faith and hiphop with an unashamed edge! On November 4th, he released “Church Clothes 4”, the last in the mixtape series with 13 songs. In the final chapter of Church Clothes, Lecrae reveals that he's "righteous but ratchet," explaining, "I'm a child of hip-hop. I grew up with rap music, and God transitioned and transformed me when I became a believer! After that, people felt I didn't belong in hip-hop anymore. The Church Clothes mixtape series helped them understand there's a place for artists like me.
In the first single from the final installment of Church Clothes, "Spread the Opps," Lecrae isasking God to spread the opposition out. "There's always going to be opposition when you bring truth and reality. The Church Clothes series brings both, so I expect to face opposition. But I'm standing on what I believe in and letting God do the rest.” "I'm at a place now where I'm building the framework for the future of CHH and hopefully expanding faith in hip-hop globally. I'm also putting some skin on my faith. Martin Luther King Jr. put skin on his faith. He didn't just say I love God; he got out in the streets and ensured people were eating and protected their rights. In this post-George Floyd era, I can talk about the realities that affect Black and Brown people inside and outside the church and challenge my white brothers and sisters to pay attention to our voices. It's me putting skin on my faith. When you listen to Church Clothes 4, no side has it all figured out. It begins with listening. For us to work together, we gotta listen to each other! Church Clothes is just me challenging people to listen."
The 2023 Class of Gospel’s Grammy Nominees
Congratulations to Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell, Doe, Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin, PJ Morton, Tye Tribbett, Maranda Curtis, Ricky Dillard and TobyMac, all of whom earned Grammy nominations for their latest projects…Finally, Grammy®-winning artist Regina Belle is getting into the holiday spirit with the release of My Colorful Christmas, her first holiday album. Belle’s refreshing take on Christmas includes beloved favorites like “The First Noel,” “Silent Night,” and songs of remembrance like “Auld Lang Syne” and a duet with her daughter Sydni Battle on “A Baby Changes Everything.”
hen Afro Unicorn creator and CEO April Showers came up with her now multimillion dollar lifestyle brand, she did it with the intention to remind women and children of color how unique, divine and magical they truly are— and though the outspoken and savvy businesswoman always embraced her own personal magic, the irony is that at the time she wasn’t familiar with unicorns.
Before Afro Unicorn was conceived in May of 2019, Showers— an L.A. native— was a busy entrepreneur and single mother, running her insurance agency and real estate business while raising two young boys— which prompted her close friend to start calling her a unicorn.
“I had to ask him, ‘why do you keep calling me a unicorn?’, and he said it was because I can manage it all. And I was like, ‘well that’s just what women do’. And he said, ‘No, April you do it at an extraordinary level’,” Showers tells L.A. Focus.
But before Showers could embrace the compliment, she had to first really understand it.
“I really didn’t know what unicorns were, I didn’t grow up with that kind of stuff,” says Showers. “So, I Googled it. I saw that they were magical, they were unique. I'm like, okay, I'm black girl magic and definitely unique. I'm going to identify as this unicorn.”
From there Showers ran with it and began using the unicorn emoji on her phone as a sign-off on her texts, until it dawned on her that every unicorn that she had ever seen depicted was white.
“One day it hit me, I said, ‘why is it that the image that's supposed to represent who I am, is white? Who determined that unicorns were supposed to be white?,” recalls Showers. “At that moment it no longer resonated with me. I went to find one that looked like me and I couldn't, so instead of complaining about it, I just decided to be the change I wanted to see. That's why I created Afro Unicorn.”
With the desire to create an icon that would represent the black girl magic she embodies and make something that can inspire young girls to embrace their power, Showers began working on a t-shirt design. She would come up with a unicorn logo with three distinct skin tones— mocha, caramel and vanilla to reflect the different complexions of her customer base— with flowing curly afro manes above her tagline: Unique. Divine. Magical.
“My goal from the beginning was to normalize black beauty, to give our black and brown girls a unicorn that represents them and also encourages them to love the skin of theirs and embrace the crowns on their head,” says Showers.
Showers began building Afro Unicorn from the ground up, collaborating with other entrepreneurs and finding success in establishing a grass roots customer base of young girls and mothers who were glad to find a brand that allowed them to project self-confidence and power in their identity.
Fate would strike in the form of a viral video which made all of Showers’ hard work pay off in the biggest way. The video was of a little girl wearing her Afro Unicorn shirt out in public taking pictures, when a passerby commented that they liked her hair. Without missing a beat, she responded with the most enthusiastic smile, “Thank you! It’s an Afro!” The adorableness
Wof the video caused it to get millions of views as well as shares from celebrities such as Viola Davis, Tina Knowles— and then the biggest celebrity of them all— Oprah.
After Oprah’s share, Showers would receive an email from Walmart asking if she would be interested in doing a line of Afro Unicorn party supplies for their stores.
Showers struck a deal with Walmart, making Afro Unicorn the first black woman owned brand to be licensed in a major retail store. They currently have 44 individual products on Walmart shelves, 22 party supply products and 22 other assorted products from their signature apparel to makeup and beauty items and everything in between— now even Afro Unicorn birthday cakes.
And according to Showers, from the very beginning
it would seem that Walmart had a big vision for her brand.
“Going into the Walmart deal I reached out for advice from an old mentor who had a brand at Walmart, and she told me to ask them for the door count, or how many different stores they would be testing the product in,” said Showers. “She said 50 to 200 would be great. But when it came up in the meeting they said a minimum of 1,000! I ended up in nearly 4,000 which is almost all of the Walmarts in the country.”
And because Afro Unicorn is licensed through Walmart they have access to all of Walmart’s partner brands, as well as manufacturing and distribution powers so quantity is never a problem. Showers says that most of her orders are now in the millions of units in each category.
Along with Walmart, Afro Unicorn products are now in Target, Kohls, and soon to be in JCPenny and Macy’s as well. The Afro Unicorn brand, which Showers says is modeled after Hello Kitty, has “four quadrant” appeal, or markets in demographics from babies to grandmothers, and has seen a rise in popularity thanks to endorsements from celebrities such as Tiffany Haddish, Alicia Keys, and Sherri Shepherd.
While the brand has seen sky-rocketing success, Showers says one of the biggest challenges she’s facing in continuing the growth of the brand is having content attached to her brand that people can consume and relate to.
“I have no content,” says Showers. “We’re competing in the same aisles as Disney princesses and Star Wars which all have stories being told and sold about them while Afro Unicorn is just the property itself. Traditionally you have content, you have a story, and then merchandise comes from that story— we’re definitely doing it the opposite way.”
To satisfy this issue, Afro Unicorn recently signed a production deal to create an animated episodic TV series as well as a future feature film.
While much of Showers’ success comes from the determined grit it takes to carry her vision, she is a strong believer in the power of lifting up those around her.
“If you’re helping enough people get to where you want to be, you’ll get to where you need to be,” says Showers. “I spend a lot of my time investing in other people and pushing them in whatever they have going on at Afro Unicorn. As a result of that hard work and those seeds we planted, the growth happens naturally.” And even though her big break— the viral video of the little girl— may on the outside seem like pure luck, it speaks to the power of creating networks of opportunity and empowerment through her work.
“It’s interesting that a year before that video was made, the mother of that little girl sent me a birthday card that read, ‘I hope that one day we can impact your life as much as you’ve impacted ours,’ and then a year later they impacted my life in a way I can’t even put into words,” says Showers. “I really believe that investing in people is how you create opportunities for yourself. I know that if I can get you into a place where you become the gatekeeper, it makes it easier for me to access those doors.”
Beyond that, Showers says it’s her faith that guides her and has a daily routine of prayer and gratitude is one of her secrets to success.
“Every day I write down ten things that I’m grateful for because there is something powerful when you release gratitude— you are telling God what gifts you are thankful for. So, I write down my master goals and I write ten things I am grateful for currently. When you write it down and go back through it, it becomes your bible. Every quarter I go back through what I’ve written and check what I’ve done— and in the long run I almost always get them all done.”
With little more than three weeks to pull an administration together and her swearing in set for December 12, the top priority of Mayor Elect Karen Bass assembling a team focused on bringing unhoused individuals indoors and making L.A. safer and more affordable.
“My number one priority is assembling a team that will be ready on day one to move our city forward. With his vast leadership experience and shared vision for our city, Chris is the right person to serve as my chief of staff and work with me to lead our agenda for Los Angeles’ future,” Bass said in a statement. “Though this is an unprecedented three-week transition, make no mistake — change is coming, and we will hit the ground running.”
With the announcement this week of Chris Thompson as her Chief of Staff, a key part of that job is now behind her. “The people of this city spoke loud and clear when they delivered a decisive victory for Mayor-elect Bass," said Thompson. "She has laid out a clear vision and plan to confront the crisis of homelessness and to make our city safer and more affordable for all. I look forward to helping her execute that vision.”
A seasoned leader in both the private and public sectors, Thompson–who currently serves as Senior Vice President of Government Relations for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games working with local, state and federal officials and agencies to ensure a successful 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles– will bring a fresh perspective and new direction to the mayor’s office and City Hall.
Chris Thompson Named Chief of Staff to Mayor- Elect Karen Bass
Is Carson the Next Home for the City of Refuge? L.A. Baptist Community Mourns Pastor Kelly Taylor
Bishop Noel Jones is not saying for sure, but it seems as if Carson could possibly serve as the next home for the City of Refuge, which finalized the sale of its Gardena property earlier this year and has until June of next year to move.
Compton had been discussed as a potential choice, but it now looks as though Jones is setting his sights on Carson.
Jones’ sweetheart sale has put the church in a great position financially, though the sum of the sale has not officially been disclosed.
“We came in at minimal and we n moved it out to ten times the amount of money,” is all Jones would say.
“What we would like to do now is to acquire at least 15-17 acres–no less than 10 acres–and build out a boxing gym, basketball gym for our community. Make it a no-gun zone. Do church because we’re only doing church live two hours a week.
“We want to focus every night on something,” he continues. “Right now, we’re doing real estate classes. We want to teach truck driving because transportation becomes critical in a time like now. We want to do a commercial kitchen and teach people how to cook properly–the right kind of food. We want to partner with people who develop low income housing. We want to be able to feed people who are hungry…to put porta potties and showers on our parking lot and have guards so people who are living in their cars can be on a piece of property and be safe throughout the night and be able to refresh themselves and get back to wherever they work. That’s the kind of thing we want to do. At the same time continue to do the spiritual work God has called us to do.”
Faith Leaders Reiterate Calls for Councilmembers DeLeon and Cedillo to Resign
In the wake of L.A.’s newly elected leadership and in an effort to move past the city council scandal sparked by leaked racist tapes, a coalition of faith and community leaders gathered this week to echo the call for the resignations of Councilmembers Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon. They say the resignations of past council president, Nury Martinez and L.A. County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera,are not enough given the chaos created by their actions.
“We have joined the voices of unity, in unity, in a call for clarity, demanding that Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon resign from the office and resign immediately,”
Pastor J. Edgar Boyd of First AME Church stated.
“Mr. Cedillo, Mr. DeLeon, both of you have irreparably destroyed and betrayed the trust between you and your voters, the voters who are constituents in your district. You have shamed your constituents.
You have disgraced the City of Los Angeles. You have outrightly attached a colleague, a fellow member, with the racist references that you made against him and his minor child. Your actions have created racial and ethnic rifts across communities, across Los Angeles. Your actions have made you unfit for public office... Do the right thing and resign your office and allow the City to begin to heal.”
Latricia Mitchell, president of the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP, directed her comments specifically to DeLeon.
“Everyone in the United States knows your name, Mr. de Leon. The mask you were wearing has now come off,” Mitchell said. “We know who you really are. You are not helping the people in Council District 14 because you are not at the Council meeting. You said, ‘No, I will not resign because there is a lot of work ahead.’ Yes, there is work, but you are no longer the person to do that as an elected official. If there is work to do, you can do it as a community member. It is time for you to resign.”
SCLC Los Angeles chapter president, Rev. William Smart was among those who are concerned about the negativity “brewing in the community” following the fallout from the closed-door meeting.
“It is very important that as we establish and move forward in a beloved community, that we have people that understand unequivocally that you have and say the right words, even behind closed doors,” Smart observed. “Even though Kevin de Leon has two more years, we cannot afford to move forward with him on the City Council. “Resign Kevin, resign.” L.A. Focus/December 2022 16
L.A. Baptist Community Bids Fond Farewell to Pastor Kelly Taylor
No one expected his death at just 51 years old, but on October 28, Pastor Kelly Taylor, who pastored the New Congregational Missionary Baptist Church where he founded Xpand CDC, passed away after suffering a stroke while on the freeway.
And last month, over 500 of his colleagues, family, friends and parishioners packed into the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church to honor Kelly, who served in Christian ministry over four decades in Los Angeles.
The program was officiated by Pastors Henry Brown, Terry Brooks and Eric Phillips, with Dr. R.A. Williams delivering the eulogy.
“Every time I think about Kelly, I think about the name that I gave him–I called him “Mini Me”, said Williams. “How God used him in a tremendous way to preach the gospel. We loved him dearly.”
Said Pastor E. Wayne Gaddis, “He made everyone feel like they were his best friend.”
As a youth who played piano while growing up at Friendly Friendship Baptist Church where the Pastor told him, ‘When you grow up, you’re going to play for the adult choir, to which Kelly replied, “no, when I grow up, I’m going to have your job.”
Taylor’s wife of 28 years, First Lady Myesha Taylor, spoke of the sacrifices he made in ministry.
“Some of you appreciated it. Some of you didn’t, but ultimately, I know God used him to make a difference. Everything we went through was for a reason and a purpose and for somebody else’s life to be changed.
“I decided…our church decided…our friends and family decided that his legacy will continue, not because it is about a building. Not because it’s about what things you can accomplish, but he gave his blood [for this].”
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
Bethesda Temple Apostolic Faith 4909 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 299-2591 • thevoice4904@att.net
Pastor Kyron S. Shorter Sunday Morning Prayer: 9:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Children’s Church: 11:00am Sunday Evening Service: 6:00pm
Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church 3719 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-5610 • www.bkcamechurchla.org Rev. Mary S. Minor, DMin,Pastor Worship virtually: Facebook Live at Brookins-KirklandCommunity AME Church For prayer: Call or email to be added to the prayer list Bible Study Thursdays: 6pm Via Zoom call or email office:bkcamechurchla@gmail.com
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 Dr.Ruby I. Cottle, Ph.D., Pastor/Teacher
Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082 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!
Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org Dr. Frederick K. Price LiveWorship Service:Sun 10:30am,Tues 11:00am and 7:30pm at faithdome.org, Facebook, Roku, YouTube and the EIFM app (Download in Apple Store and Google Play)Website: faithdome.org Giving Options: Text to 28950, type EIFMO and amount you wish to give (ex.,EIFMO 50) or mail to: P.O. Box 90000, Los Angeles, CA 90009 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#
Services every Friday: 7:00pm We meeet at: St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 3901 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, Ca 90018 Watch Dr. Cottle on HBN TV Wed’s 7:30am Channel 886 Dish,Smart TV Local Channel 35.2 Listen to Dr. Cottle Sundays on KJLH at 5:00am
Grant AME Church 10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027 Sunday School: 8am Worship: 9:30am Wed. Bible Study: 11:30am •6pm
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 Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday Radio: KJLH 102.3FM at 11am 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
Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Inc. 4269 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 •Fax: (323) 846-1964
Rev. Johnteris Tate-Pastor Sunday Church School: 8:00am Worship Service: 9:15am Baptist Training Union: 7:00am Tues. Bible Study/Prayer: Noon & 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 @6pm Zoom Call: (605) 472-5454 Access:188857 Online Stream Live: Sundays@10:45am to www.mccartychurch.org Give: Text 77977 Instagram@mccartyconnect
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: 8am,10am,Noon Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Radio: KKLA 99.5 FM (Sun): 6:00pm All services stream live on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. During the pandemic, pre-registration is requested to attend in-person services.
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103 •
Rev. Joshua Daniels, Pastor Morning Worship: 10am (In Service and Online Live Stream Worship) Sunday School: 8:45am
Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm www.mtzionla.org
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: Facebook and YouTube @New Antioch Church of God In Christ ONE LA Potter’s House Church 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • hello@one.online Pastor Touré and Sarah Roberts The ONE Experience Online: Sundays: 7A |9A |11A |1P |6P Thursdays: 5P |8P (PST) @toureroberts @sarahjakesroberts @one.online ONE.ONLINE
FIRST LADY FILES
KAREN A. BROWN
Contributor
Michelle Clease
New Life Christian Center
Her husband–Pastor Todd Clease– can remember what she was wearing the first time he saw her and it is that kind of adoration that has fueled their 31+ year marriage and the couples ministry he and First Lady Michelle Clease foster as the lead pastors of the New Life Christian Center.
It was Michelle’s early commitment to Christianity that first drew her husband to God while also marking the start to a much deeper relationship between the two, who at the time were just friends.
Recalls Michelle, “I shared with him what I had learned about the holy spirit and he was seeking and hungry and he ended up getting filled and to thank me, he was like, let's go out to dinner. That's how we started.”
The L.A. native credits the success of their marriage to them both wanting to be pleasing to God together.
“I knew I was going to be married to a pastor in my heart, but I think making the commitment was really hard when I saw it starting to come into vision,” said the mother of two adult children. She, however, wasn’t quite as sure being a First Lady when they took of the pastorate at New Life LA a decade ago.
Like her husband, she has a passion to see the lost won for Christ and to see marital relationships restored.
Says Michelle, “I know that I don't have to have that traditional role of the first ladies I saw sitting on the front pew. Instead, I know how to just be me and to care about people.
Park Windsor Baptist Church 1842 W. 108th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 756-3966 • RevTerrellTaylor@sbcglobal.net Rev. Terrell Taylor
Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Bible Study Wednesday: Noon & 7:00pm Communion: 1st Sunday at 8:00am & 11:00am
Phillips Temple CME Church 973 East 43rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 233-4783
Rev. Dr. Darrell Wesley, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10am Bible Study: Wednesdays at Noon Online: Facebook.com/ PhillipsTempleCME.LosAngeles St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:30am Sunday classes follow morning service Tues Eve Family Prayer Line: 6:30pm Wednesday Noon: Hour of Power Prayer line Wednesday Bible Study: 6:00pm (Zoom & Facebook) Sunday Exposition of Sunday School Lesson:10am Trinity Baptist Church 2040 W. Jefferson Blvd., L.A., CA 90018 • (323) 735-0044 F: (323) 735-0219• trinitybaptistchurchofla.org Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship Services: 10:30am YouTube: tv.trinitybaptist.cloud Sunday Radio Broadcast KJLH-FM: 9am Wed. Night Virtual Bible Study: 7pm (Meeting ID: 480-271-5449. Or 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
West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3600 W. Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 733-8300 • www.westa.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., Senior Pastor Charles E. Blake II Co-Pastor Sunday Service: 10:00am Sunday Radio Broadcast: KJLH 102.3 FM: 10:00am
Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 12930 No. Lime Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-0536 • F: (323) 636-2080 • www.citizensofzion.org
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
Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 1016 E. Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 • F: (310) 537-3149 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 Communion/1st Sunday: 7:30am/11:15am Mid-Week Prayer/Bible Study (Wed)- 7pm Broadcast (KALI 900AM - Sun:2-3:00pm
Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, Compton 90220 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5449, Compton, CA 90224
Apostle Ronald C. Hill Sr., Founder/Pastor
Live Stream Sunday Worship:10am/6:30pm Live Stream Bible Studies: Wed 7:30am & 9:00am Live Stream Prayer w /Apostle Hill: Fri: 9am Food For Your Soul TV Ministry Impact TV Network: Mon-Fri PST 6:30am The Word Network Fridays @ 12:30pm
Church: Grant AME Church How Long at church: 2 months Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Family: Wife Karen of 24 years, five children
You were recently appointed to lead Grant AME, one of the most storied churches in Watts–why do you think you were the right fit for Grant AME? I'm just speculating, but my wife and I have been very active in the conference when it comes to the young people. We have given of ourselves and our resources so that the young people can be ministered to and I think what the bishop may have seen is that we are willing to give of ourselves and our resources unselfishly when we see a cause we believe in. Grant for me is a cause I believe in.
All you up for the challenge of restoring Grant to its former glory? The first week I was in the office, I realized Grant is where I'm supposed to be. I love a challenge and we're in a challenging mode right now and we're going to be all right. I have a five-hour commute round trip every day, and it's okay. When I look at it, God has been preparing me for Grant since day one. Everything I've been through–including the military has designed me for this moment right here at Grant. I believe the bishop saw that. I think the presiding elder saw it, and that's why I'm there. I understand you preached your first sermon at 12 years old? Yes, first sermon at 12 years old, but I think the first thing I ever did in the church where I was portraying a preacher was a Tom Thumb wedding to raise money for some organization. But I never imagined I'd be a preacher or a pastor. What did you grow up wanting to be, if not a pastor? I wanted to be a doctor but I must have changed my mind a million times. I received the call at 18, but I ended up joining the military and stayed 20 years in the Marine Corps–a veteran of the Desert Storm War. Wait a minute, you receive your call at 18, but decide to go into the military first? Well, I was a little bit indecisive there for a couple of years. I went to Japan and that kind of took me out of the loop for a while. But when I came back, I made up my mind that I was going to complete my ministerial classes and finish up my ministry. And so, I started back heavily with my ministerial classes, and I was stationed in 29 Palms. I got my first church in 1999, and I retired from the military in 2004. So, the last five years of my military service, I was also pastor. So, you're thinking about ministry and in a war zone, what is that like? I looked at it like this: that God was with me there, just like He was with me stateside when I was and wasn't in an actual conflict. I think it increased my faith. I remember going to an Easter Sunrise service in Saudi Arabia just sitting out there in the open. So, my faith didn't shake, and I didn't have any reservations about what I was doing or why I was there. I understood what my mission was on the military side, but I also thought about all of those persons in the Bible that God was with in battle.
Did you learn anything about yourself in the military that has helped you in ministry? Yes. A lot of what I’ve done as a pastor comes from my military training. The self-discipline to get a job done, the ability to lead people and be the example in leadership and to be at the forefront whenever anybody gets ready to do something. Also, I was a computer technician in the military, so a lot of that transitioned over into my ministry as far as practical application when it came to teaching and administrative tasks. And I had to learn how to deal with all different types of people from all over and to accept everybody and understand that everybody brings something a little different, but it doesn't mean we can't all be on the same team and still accomplish the mission. I imagine Dessert Storm was tough, was that your most challenging time? No, I think struggling with my call was probably one of my biggest challenges more so because I was young. It was while I was in the military that I got focused and realized my calling to the ministry was what I was supposed to do, and I haven't looked back. What was the deciding factor in your going all in? When my first marriage didn't work, that was one of my biggest trying moments, probably the biggest. That made me think about who I was as a person, who I was as a father, and about the calling that I had. How was I fulfilling it? So, I started getting serious about finishing up my classes and completing my ministry. I didn't have the slightest idea I was going to be assigned as a pastor at the same conference I got ordained at. Normally that doesn't happen, but as soon as I got ordained, I got sent to a church. What are your strengths and how do you think you've evolved as a pastor? My work ethic, my leadership skills when it comes to leading people trying to do what's right, I always want to do what's right and fair by the people and by anyone. And I think I have grown by leaps and bounds when it comes to interacting with people. I used to kind of shy away from any type of conflict, but I’ve learned that conflict doesn't always mean aggression. That took me a while to figure out and to understand it’s okay to disagree with somebody. That it doesn't mean that it's going to escalate. Because of that, I'm able to listen and not take things personal and be able to say, okay, what would you like to see? I have a master's degree in marriage and family therapy, and I’ve learned how to listen to people when they talk. What is the biggest mistake you’ve made? One of them was taking people at their word and then finding that maybe they didn't have my best interest or the church's best interest at heart. Now, as a pastor, I really look to that shepherd mentality God has placed in me. The church is full of awesome folks but one of my pet peeves is when people try to come and take advantage of their trust and faith. So, I believe God has placed me at Grant for this particular season in my life and for the season at Grant, to be able to protect them and to help them to get back to that former glory. I look forward to being the pastor of everybody at Grant, and learning from them, working for them. And I don't say I'm going to the church; I just tell myself I'm getting up and going to work. Why is that? Because I'm there to do a job and I believe in that job and I'm thankful that the job is to help people, to bring people to Christ, to help edify the church and to help the community. I believe I can and will do that. If you had a philosophy or scripture you live by, what would it be? Psalm 121:1, “I will look to the hills from when's coming into my help. My help is coming from the Lord.” Every morning I stand out in my backyard and God has blessed me to have a beautiful view where I see nothing but rolling hills and I look at those hills every morning and say, Psalm 121:1. Also I Corinthians 2: 45, “My message and my preaching was not with wise or persuasive words work, but with the demonstration of the spirit's power that your faith might not rest in human wisdom, but in God's power.” That speaks to what I say every time I get up there on Sunday morning. It's not about Tim. It's not about how theatrical or impressive Tim can be, it's all about God and giving God glory.
Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:00pm Bible Study (Wed): Noon & 7:00pm BET/Fresh Oil (Wed): 7:00am
The Liberty Church 4725 S. Gramercy Place, Gardena, CA 90249 (310) 715-8400
Pastor David W. Cross
Morning Worship/Livestream:10:00 am Hispanic Ministry Worship/Livestream:12Noon Word Power Wednesday/Livestream: 7:00pm The CROSSWORD with Pastor Cross: YouTube
Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc. 1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760
Atherton Baptist Church In Hawthorne 2627 W. 116th Street Hawthorne,CA 90250 (323) 757-3113 • www.athertonbc.org F: 323-757-8772 • athertonbaptist@sbcglobal.net Pastor Larry Weaver
Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00 & 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
Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303
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)
www.blessedfamilycovenant.org
Center of Hope LA 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 #centerofhope•#cohla•Info@GO2HOPE.com Give: Text COHLA to (833) 246-7144
Pastor Geremy L. Dixon
Service Times: 8:00am & 10:00am Watch Via: Facebook|YouTube|Live Stream Closer To People...Closer To God! www.GO2Hope.com
Faithful Central Bible Church 333 W. Florence Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8000 • F: (310) 330-8035
Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D. Senior Pastor/Teacher
Sunday Services: 7:00 am & 9:30am Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7:00pm The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood www.faithfulcentral.com
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
Sometimes in our effort to make the gospel simple we have taken away crucial and pivotal elements of the gospel truth. We have, in other words, dumbed it down. Some call it easy-believism.
This is how it plays out in some of our churches. After the preacher finishes [his sermon], he says something like this, ‘Every head bow and every eye closed. If you're here and not sure you're going to heaven, I want you to slip that hand up right where you are. ‘I see you, sir. I see you, ma'am. Okay, I want you to repeat after me. And if you pray this prayer and you mean it, you're saved.’
There is no mention of holiness, no mention of sin or the need for repentance. No mention of denying yourself and picking up your cross daily, which Jesus declares is necessary if you want to be his disciple. No cost counting at all.
I was in a meeting where when it was over, the preacher declared, “You're saved now and don't let anybody tell you different.”
So, we got folks getting saved, but they don't know what they're saved from or for. And a lot of times what we have is people who want to be saved from hell, but not sin. And if you can make a deal where they can avoid hell but keep their sin, they're all in.
So, we got folks getting saved, but they don't understand anything about the true nature of salvation. We tell them just sign on the dotted line and get your ticket to heaven.
We tell these non-converted unregenerated, unsaved Christians–with no follow up, no investigation to see if they even really understand what they claim to believe. We don't connect them to a church or a community of believers who can instruct them, encourage them and confirm that they truly are born again.
Doesn't matter if you never set foot in church again, you're saved. Doesn't matter if you continue to pursue a life of sin, you're saved. Doesn't matter if you exhibit zero love for Christ or His people, you're saved and don't let anybody tell you different.
It's what one theologian called cheap grace. It makes a mockery of the true and amazing grace of God. It holds the cross of calvary in contempt and is quite frankly sending multitudes to hell because we teach as long as you came down that aisle once upon a time, it doesn't matter how you behave– once saved, always saved.
That brings us to the 11th article of the Baptist Articles of Faith of Perseverance of the Saints. It says, “We believe that such only are real believers as enduring to the end, that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors.”
The unsaved Christians are the ones we want to look at today and it's my prayer that if any of us recognize ourselves as we go through this passage that we will be convicted and in humility– regardless of our status, standing, or long years in church–we would determine to truly repent from sin, receive salvation and be delivered from unsaved Christianity.
There is a difference between those who have truly been converted, redeemed and regenerated, and those who've just been in church a long time and if we don't know the difference, this message is for us.
The first thing we see in the text is that Jesus makes a declaration to be heeded. He's wrapping up the sermon on the mount and says in verse 21, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Not everyone who talks to talk. Not everyone who knows who to give honor and reverence to. Not everyone who's got a gospel song in their playlist or a scripture in their bio. Our fore parents used to sing a song that said, “Everybody talking about heaven ain't going there.”
If that doesn't shake you up, I don't know what will.
I don't mean any harm, but I feel some kind of way when I hear those who’ve made no profession of Christ and exhibited no love for Christ drop a “look at God” in the middle of their ungodly conversation.
I'm getting weary of folks who have no affiliation with the church, but they're talking about won't He do it? No brother, He won't do it, if you don't know Him.
To see this in real time, all we have to do is tune in to the next BET awards. What you will see is a parade of performers who have been made millionaires making music that glorifies violence, objectifies women, promotes greed and materialism, but will get on stage and say, “I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Hold on, ma'am. Hold on, sir. Let's make sure you've got your business straight with Jesus before you put His name in the middle of the nonsense you’re spewing out.
Don't be a fool. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, shall into the kingdom of heaven.” His declaration is that only the ones who do the will of the heavenly Father enter the heavenly kingdom.
So, what is the will of the Father?
Well, we know from scripture there are several components to His will. The first and foremost is that we be born again. That's the first order of business.
We also see in verse 22, there's a deception to be rejected. Verse 22 says, “Many will say to me in that day (the day of judgment). That's where all will stand before the Lord and be held accountable for what they did in the body if their names are not written in the lamb's book of life.” Jesus says “many” are going to have this experience and it is the burden of my heart that no member of this congregation be found among the many. That nobody in this ministry is operating under the illusion that they are in the number only to discover on the last day they were self-deceived.
They'll say, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, done many wonders in your name.
Notice the ones making this plea are not your run of the mill Christians. No, these are superstars, right–people who have prophesied and cast out demons in Jesus' name. Done many wonderful works in Jesus' name. But Jesus says, whatever they did, no matter how spectacular, was not the will of the Father.
Why? Because it did not include true conversion and salvation.
This should remind all of us that just because we did something in Jesus' name does not mean it was the will of the Father even if it appears to be successful.
In fact, the whole “Raise your hand and repeat after me” style of evangelism has been very successful. Those who engage in it report the many thousands of people they’ve seen converted.
The question is, were they really converted? Were they really raised from spiritual death to life? Did the Holy Spirit really take up residence in their hearts? Or did they just respond to a clever sales pitch? Were they just manipulated emotionally? There's a declaration to be heeded. There's a deception to be rejected. Finally, there is a destination to be rejected. In verse 23, Jesus says, “And then I will declare to them, I never knew you.”
Imagine believing that you are in the grace of God, that you are among those that
God has extended his eternal favor– only to discover on that day Jesus never knew you. That's why as good as it is to know Jesus, it's better to be known by Him. I know some of you’ve got connections. You're known in the room where it happens. But does Jesus know you? Jesus says to the unsaved Christian, ‘You went through the motions. You said the words, but I never knew you.’ Then He is going to say, ‘Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’ The Greek word here literally means without law. It speaks to a disregard of God's law and God's truth. There are some who
Pastor DeNon Porter
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 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: 7pm
Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Av. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com Rev. Dr. Michael W. Eagle, Sr. Sunday Worship: 10:45am Wednesday Food Bank: 9:00am-Noon Mothers of Murdered Youth/Children: Thurs by Appt.; (B.U.S) Blankets, Underwear, Shoes: Thursdays Facebook Live•YouTube•Free Conf Call
Antioch Church of Long Beach 350 Pine Ave. ,Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 591-8778 •www.antiochlb.com Senior Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr. Online Services Stream live: Sun 10:00am at antiochlb.com Give: text antiochib to 77977 Social Media: facebook.com/antiochlb instagram.com/antiochlb youtube.com/antiochlongbeach
In Long Beach
Walking In The Spirit Ministries In Norwalk Double Tree (Sonoma Grill) 12623 Norwalk Blvd, Norwalk CA 90650 (213) 248-6343 P.O Box 1597 Norwalk CA,90651 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)
Hate continued from page 7 sale of logo-wear and merchandise, and hosting big events like concerts where the ticket prices are twice (or more) than what is normally paid to see a band. The Chronical Review also noted how some groups have launched independent record labels to sale what they called “white power music” and have earned millions. Others are beneficiaries of the wills and estates of deceased wealthy allies.
Despite the media coverage, the war against hate groups is gaining ground, and the SPLC is one of many fighters to be credited for remaining on the frontlines until results are seen.
“We have crippled or destroyed some of the country’s most notorious hate groups,” the SPLC report confirms. “[That includes] the United Klans of America, the Aryan Nations, and the White Aryan Resistance. We’ve sued them for murders and other violent acts committed by their members or by exposing their activities.”
Just last month there was yet another victory with the recent guilty verdicts of the far-right anti-government militia group, the Oath Keepers, whose leader, Stewart Rhodes now faces a maximum of 60 years in prison.
Elder continued from page 7 called a gay man a "little b–-" and even made a racist slur against Mexican immigrants. So "white southern conservatives" do not have a monopoly on racism and bigotry. Why, one can even find racism and bigotry at The New York Times. I once heard country singer and pianist Charlie Rich at the Michigan State fair in Detroit. I was about the only black in a crowd of maybe 3,000. Given the insufficient number of blacks to keep me company, perhaps I should have stayed home and listened to "Behind Closed Doors" on the radio. As for Walker saying, "I'm not that smart," what of President Joe Biden? During the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama reportedly said of his running mate, "How many times is Biden going to say something stupid?" But at least "African Americans" show up at Biden rallies. Larry Elder is a best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an "Elderado," visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on Twitter @larryelder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
Reed continued from page 7 be the first person to take advantage of this loophole. The question is: has Walker actually changed his residency yet? Campaign finance filings show that he has at least one house in Georgia, but a new report from CNN shows Walker still claiming a tax exemption in Texas that’s only supposed to apply to a primary residence. Most states offer the so-called homestead tax exemption, which allows homeowners a small break on local taxes for the privilege of living in the jurisdiction. Walker, CNN reports, took the exemption last year and this year, despite registering to vote in Atlanta in 2021, where his wife also voted in 2020. One of the 15 qualifications the state of Georgia looks at in considering whether someone is legally eligible to run for office representing the state is where they take their homestead exemption, CNN notes. For Walker, that would be damn near 800 miles from the Georgia capital. Keith Reed is a writer, former editor at ESPN, commentator and a contributor to theroot.com, which is where this oped was initially published.
Pulpit continued from page 19 have the idea that as long as they're not anti-God, that they are okay with God.
This word lets us know that we don't need to be opposed to God's word or God's way to inherit a regrettable destiny, because if we are simply disregarding God's will, that will be enough to condemn us on the last day.
In Matthew 12:30, Jesus says, “He who is not with me is against me and he who does not gather with me scatters abroad.”
He says if you're not working with me, you're working against me. If you're not representing me, you are pulling me down. He says, “If you practice lawlessness, your ‘Lord, Lord’ does not matter.”
This I would submit is the essence of the unsaved Christian. They say they are Christians, but their profession does not match their practice. And just like faith without works is dead, so profession without practice is dead.
Now, I don't want anybody to think that what we say about Jesus does not matter. What we profess about our love for Christ and our commitment to His truth does matter. It’s empty professions that don't matter. If all we do is profess and not practice, we are talking loud and saying nothing.
This also is not a call for you or I to try to work harder or to do more. That's not the point. The ones saying, Lord, Lord, to Jesus were casting out demons, prophesying,–they were doing the most, but they were still condemned.
This is a call to be known by Jesus. To have a vibrant relationship with Jesus that begins with repentance from sin and calling on the Lord in faith. That the works that we do will then flow out of our supernatural relationship with God in Christ as our savior and Lord.
So, what is the destination to be lamented for the unsaved Christian?
Friend, if the Lord says depart from me to you on that day, understand it will not be because He is rejecting you. It will be because you have rejected Him and there will not be an abundance of places for you to go. The only place left is the place Jesus declared was prepared for the devil and his angels. In Luke 13, he says it's a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.
You can't be reincarnated into a dandelion or a dolphin. There is no purgatory. No waiting room for heaven where you can hang out for a couple of millenniums while your sins are purged. No house for you to haunt.
But there is another option. If you come to Him while the blood is running warm in your veins, in repentance and faith, trusting Him as your savior and living by His grace in gratitude and love, on that day, the Bible says, He'll say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” You have done the will of your Father. You have fought a good fight. You have finished your course. “Enter into the joy of the Lord.’
