Eye On Gospel

Kierra Sheard’s Latest Offering Grammy®, Stellar, and Dove Award-winning artist Kierra Sheard-Kelly, is releasing her new single and music video for “Praise Through”. The chart topping vocal powerhouse delivers this first new single for 2023 from her upcoming new album All Yours, with “Praise Through” following the September 2022 release of her album’s first single and video for “Miracles,” featuring Pastor Mike Jr.

Marking her seventh studio album, All Yours –releasing this month–is a follow-up to her chart-topping, Grammy-nominated sixth studio album KIERRA. The project features additional collaborations with her brother J. Drew Sheard II, Mali Music, Anthony Brown, Adia and more. An uplifting, soul-clapping track, the album’s first single “Miracles” feat. Pastor Mike Jr. is currently out at Gospel radio. The new track “Praise Through,” is heartwarming and personal, offering positive words of encouragement that nothing is impossible to overcome no matter the circumstances. Sheardview of her new album to a sold-outterview taping in Nashville with the “We Sound Crazy” podcast on -

NEICY NASH glowed in this yellow Vera Wang evening gown with an empire waist.

ZANDAYA is pretty in pink in this strapless pink Valentino gown with a sculpted rosette train ruary 9th, at the National Museum of African American Music.

Kierra Sheard-Kelly has been singing professionally since the age of nine. As the daughter of Gospel icon Karen Clark Sheard, from the legendary family group, The Clark Sisters, Kierra has grown up steeped in Gospel and continues to blaze her own trail, driving contemporary Gospel and ministry forward as an artist/songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and with her family’s company Karew Entertainment, based in their native Michigan. The multi-faceted entertainer and entrepreneur starred in the acclaimed biopic The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel portraying her mother Karen Clark Sheard, the movies Miracles Across 125th Street and Line Sisters, and has dropped new styles this year with her popular clothing brand for curvy fashions, Eleven60.

Pastor Mike is Back on Top

Birmingham’s Rock City Church Pastor Mike McClure Jr., aka Pastor Mike has debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s gospel albums chart with his third album, “Impossible”.

Pastor Mike’s first album, “Live Free,” debuted on the Billboard top gospel album chart on Oct. 5, 2019, and spent six weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 1 on Oct. 26, 2019.

His second album, “Winning,” debuted on Nov. 12, 2022, and peaked on the top gospel album chart at number 10.

“I take pride in being a Gospel Artist!,” Pastor Mike shared. “I “get” to spread hope & inspiration across the world! I’m on a mission!”

The song “Impossible” debuted on Billboard’s gospel airplay chart on Oct. 8, 2022, and has been on the chart for 20 weeks. On social media, the Stellar-award win-

VIOLA DAVIS was radiant in this floor length yellow Valentino gown ning artist shared that the “Impossible” album had more than 1.8 million streams on iTunes in its first week.

“I only want to impact and inspire lives,” Pastor Mike has said. “That’s my “why” that’s my purpose. If I told you my story you wouldn’t believe it… I’m proof God is still doing the impossible…”

Pastor Mike, who has been dubbed by some as ‘The New King of Urban Inspiration’, recently announced that Rock City Church would help launch a new congregation called One City Church in Nashville in 2024 led by lead pastors Hollis and Elise Thomas.

Melvin Crispell’s Sophomore Gifting

Grammy®, Dove and Stellar Award nominated artist, Melvin Crispell III, has released his latest single and lyric video for “Alright.” The 2019 BET’s “Sunday Best” winner delivers this first single “Alright” for 2023 from his upcoming sophomore album, No Failure. “Alright,” sends an uplifting message of hope that there is a path to happiness despite hardship. Melvin, who has gone through the pain of loss, expresses his story of healing through the power of music and God. As Melvin is backed by a harmonious chorus, his voice of empowerment encourages listeners that everything will be alright, despite any challenges along the way.

Melvin’s upcoming second album marks his first live album recording, and follows on the 2020 release of his debut studio album, I’ve Got a Testimony, which included the #1 Gospel single “Wonderful Is Your Name,” where he created a personal rendition to the classic song written by his late father Melvin Crispell Jr. Melvin’s new hit rendition garnered GRAMMY® and Dove Award nominations, and following his debut album, Melvin was also nominated at the 2021 Stellar Awards, for New Artist of the Year.

Agape Church of Los Angeles

Worship Center: Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center 4305 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Star-Studded City Wide Tribute Concert Honors Bishop Kenneth Ulmer; Bill Winston’s Greatness Unlocked Tour Makes Stop in L.A.

Conference Of National Black Churches Premieres New Talk Show

The Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC) has debuted “Healing & Hope”, discussing and exploring various topics related to the impact of COVID-19 and other issues that are critical to the Black Church and the communities it serves. “Healing & Hope” will uplift, inform and call viewers to action in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and other of today’s most pressing social justice issues.

After a monthlong series of celebrations leading up to the official retirement of Kennth Ulmer as Senior Pastor of Faithful Central Bible Church, newly installed Pastor J.P. Foster has officially taken the charge. The celebration culminated with a Citywide Tribute Concert at West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Erica Campbell and Bebe Winans served as co-host of the five-hour long event coordinated by Grammy winning producer Warryn Campbell and featuring Kathy Taylor, Beverly Crawford, Jonathan Slocumb, Mary Mary, Todd Dulaney, Chrystal Rucker, Maranda Curtis, Charles Jenkins and Israel Houghton.

The celebration also included L.L. Cool J, Mayor Karen Bass and County Supervisor Holly Mitchell as well as taped video messages from Blair Underwood, Victoria and Joel Osteen, Nia Long, Fred Hammond, Bishop T.D. Jakes and Tyrese Gibson. Making a surprise appearance was Kirk Franklin who served for a time as youth pastor of the church.

“I am a proud son, and it was very important that the church paid no money for me to get here. I had to come on my own cause I owe you so much. You have talked me off a billion ledges. You checked me and challenged me. The integrity you have while no one else is watching. You saw something in me. I owe you everything.”

“Bishop,” Foster said from the stage, “I believe you are Heaven’s MVP not because you’re willing to take the shot, but because you’re loving and humble enough to pass the ball to people like me. So, Bishop you are my and Faithful Central’s MVP…most valuable pastor.”

Bill Winston’s Greatness Unlocked Tour

Last month, Los Angeles was the fourth stop of Bill Winston’s Operation Ten City (OTC) campaign that began last year. Operation Ten City: Greatness Unlocked –held at the L.A. Convention Center– is a tencity initiative to inspire faith-based communities to activate hidden potential and pursue the fullness of God’s calling for their lives, businesses, and organizations. Through programming centered on community outreach, business, and entrepreneurship, as well as faith and the supernatural, Operation Ten City supports the development of people and communities with a vision to help them access true economic prosperity and self-sufficiency through wealth-building and ownership.

“Our goal with Operation Ten City is to bring economic restoration and prosperity to ten cities of our nation, including Los Angeles, and to close the wealth gap in black and brown communities through entrepreneurship and ownership,” says Dr. Bill Winston, who is not only a renown Chicagobased pastor, entrepreneur and business leader. “One of the main reasons for poverty is the absence of self-production. So, OTC is coming to empower and turn people who primarily have been consumers into producers.”

Guests will include some of the nation’s most prominent faith leaders including Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle, Church of God in Christ, Inc. (COGIC), Senior Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr., African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), Senior Bishop Kenneth Monroe, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ), Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME), President Jerry Young, National Baptist Convention, USA Inc., and President David Peoples, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.

The 30-minute show will air twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 PM on the Impact Network.

“CNBC is committed to serving as a voice within the Christian community to celebrate triumphs and safeguard both spiritual and physical wellbeing for over 30,000 congregations nationwide,” said Dr. Richardson. “When the world shifted during COVID-19, so did our work. “Healing & Hope” will continue this work, confronting the impacts of COVID-19 and more through conversations with CNBC leadership, guest interviews, and sharing the stories of those who have been impacted.”

Western Baptist State Convention to Host Mid-Winter Board Meeting

The Western Baptist State Convention–under the leadership of Rev. Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick–is gearing up for its 133rd Mid-Winter Board Meeting March 4 — March 9 at McCoy Memorial Baptist Church (pastored by Dr. R.A. Williams).

Those slated to speak at the annual convention include Dr. Franklyn Richardson, president of the Conference of National Black Churches, Rev. Xavier Thompson, Evangelist Manuel Scott, Jr. and Rev. K.W. Tulloss. The theme of the convention is “Led by the Holy Spirit, That We Do Not Fall Away During Unprecedented Times”.

In other local church news: Last month, Holman United Methodist Church revived its Annual Concert of Negro Spirituals Concert, curated and directed by William Campbell, Jr. The Negro Spirituals Concert–held on February 26– is one of Holman's longeststanding musical offerings, and 2023 marks the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic that Holman Choir performed its signature concert live.

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

Sunday Church School: 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM

Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00 AM (in-person and virtual)

Thursday Bible Study with Pastor Minor (via Zoom): 6:00 PM

Please call the church office for virtual information.

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#

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 Services every Friday: 7:00pm We

Paul

Grant AME Church

10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027

Rev. Dr. Timothy o. Coston, Jr.

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

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

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

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church

3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043

Phone (323) 291-1121•F: (323) 291-1133 office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church

George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher

Sunday Worship: 8am,10am

Tuesday Night( as scheduled): 7:15pm

All services stream live on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. Call for any pandemic-related questions.

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

First Lady Files

Loretta Jones

City of Refuge

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

Contributor KAREN A. BROWN

As a child growing up in Cleveland, Mississippi, Loretta Jones–wife of Bishop Noel Jones and First Lady of the City of Refuge–loved dressing up on Sundays to go to church.

“Being a southern girl, it was part of our culture to be elegant when we went out,–to dress a certain way for business, for social outings and especially for church which meant beautiful hats and skirts and jackets and pearls,” Jones recalls.

Back then in the deep south, the pastor’s wife didn’t have the status of first lady.

“You were known just as pastor’s wife. We didn't even know her name,” Jones said. “They didn't really have a big role in the church.”

That is the hardly the case now and particular with Jones, who manages the church’s day-to-day operations. As an expert chef and nutritionist– she also runs the restaurant housed in the church and apart from the church operates an online boutique.

“It's an interesting role especially if you love people and you want to work with the community,” Jones says of being a first lady. “For me, it's something that comes natural. Whatever area of help the pastor needs, the first lady just falls into that role–touching people, learning who people are, making sure they feel welcomed, loved, and that they have a voice.”

For Jones, the role comes with a burning desire to improve the lives of those who attend the church.

“We just had a beautiful presentation to address breast cancer and prostate awareness,” Jones reports. “We’re working towards building a beautiful community center where we can provide not only quality services for the inner city–including healthcare and build skills as well. We're just dealing with everything that plagues the black community.

“It’s all about service”.

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

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

In Compton

Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church 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 • www.holychapelbc.com

Rev. Dr. George L. Thomas

Morning Worship: 8:00am

Sunday School: 10:30am

Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7:00pm Sun. New Members’ Class: 10:45am

Communion/1st Sunday: 8:00am 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