Astounding the faith community across the nation, the Rev. Frederick K. Price, Jr., resigned as pastor of the world-renowned Crenshaw Christian Center (CCC) on June 25.
He announced his decision in a tearful, halting statement delivered during CCC’s morning worship. While not citing any specific reason for his action, Price, Jr., said, “I am struggling to correct and I am making amends for serious personal misjudgments which have affected my life, and my family, and which I deeply regret.
“I have betrayed the trust of God, myself, my wife, my family and you, my church. I am so sorry. And for this, I must step down as pastor at this time.”
Price, Jr. was elevated to the position in March 2009, following in the footsteps of his famous father, Apostle Frederick K.C. Price. The senior Price, who founded CCC in Los Angeles with 300 congregants in 1973, built an international ministry resulting in thousands of members, multiple schools, the massive Faithdome sanctuary and CCC New York. He also gained millions of followers through books, radio, TV, live streaming and social media.
Acknowledging the legacy of his father, Price, Jr., was determined to take CCC to the next level. In a March 2017 interview with the L.A. Watts Times, he said, “My father is a trailblazer for many black ministers and Christian centers, what we’ve come to know as mega-churches. So for me to do the same thing, I don’t see that happening or being the case.
“I believe I’m going to do something different and all I have to do is stand on his shoulders and if I stand on his shoulders, I can see much further than he did. He laid the foundation, so I don’t need to lay a new foundation. I just need to build on his.”
At that time, his shared his vision of expanding CCC’s outreach to the surrounding community along with attracting more millennials without alienating the baby boomers that comprise a large part of his congregation. He also expressed a desire to engage the growing number of Latinos living near his South L.A. church.
With his resignation, his dream may vanish, however, Holly Baird, CCC spokesperson, insisted that isn’t the case. “It’s important to keep in mind that the vision hasn’t stopped. This is just a period of reflection and what he needs to do to get back on track,” she said.
In his statement, Price, Jr., referred to his next step as a period of “restoration” that includes “attending service every Sunday for the next year so that I can hear the Word and be restored in order to fulfill the call of my life to ministry.” In addition, he asked for prayers as well as privacy for him and his family “while we work through this personal situation.”
As for the spiritual leadership of the church for the immediate future, Baird said Apostle Price will resume the role of CCC pastor and will assisted by his wife, Dr. Betty Price, the ministerial staff and visiting pastors and speakers.
