After a 10-year hiatus, Ward A.M.E. Church held its 21st Prayer Breakfast at the LAX Sheraton Gateway on February 21 with the theme, ‘Recommitted to Our Call to Prayer.’
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Sr., presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District, Bishop C. Garnett Henning (retired) and Presiding Elder Roosevelt Lindsey were among the 1,000 people who enjoyed prayer, food, and powerful remarks by the Rev. Dr. Frank M Reid, III, a former pastor of Ward who now leads Bethel A.M.E. Church in Baltimore, MD.
Dr. Reid challenged the audience to “Wake up, make your church great, forgive and move on. Let God use you.”
Highlighting the program were presentations recognizing several community champions. Actress/businesswoman Wendy Raquel Robinson received the ‘Rosa Parks Award for Excellence in the Community,’ Tiffany Beasley earned the ‘Youth and Young Adult Ministry Award,’ the Rev. Dorsilene Hughes received the ‘Richard Allen Award for Excellence in Ministry’ and Dessie Danzler, director of Ward’s Prayer Ministry, accepted the ‘Prayer Leader Award.’
Tina Marie Littleton chaired the prayer breakfast with assistance from Billie O’Neal, who headed the event from 1985 to 2005. Other members included Patricia Carter, Paula Freeman, Camellia Hudley, Roslyn Jones, and Greg and Brenda Walker. Also, Dana Tipton Waters served as emcee and Ward’s Music Ministry performed under the direction of Ron Lowe.
The prayer breakfast attracted a wide range of people. In attendance were Pastors Michael Eagle, Grant A.M.E. – LB; Charles Johnson, Corona Community A.M.E.; Joyce Kitchen, Emmanuel-Turner A.M.E.; Clyde Oden, Bryant Temple A.M.E.; James Rumph, Grant A.M.E. – LA; Kelvin Sauls, Holman U.M.C.; Mark Whitlock, Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. – Irvine; and Ronald Wright, New Vision Church.
Elected officials included L.A. City Councilmembers Herb Wesson and Curren Price, L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer, Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Community College School Board member Sydney Kamlager.
Civic leaders, who are also Ward members, included former State Senator Rod Wright, national NAACP board member Ron Hasson, state Boxing Commission chair John Frierson, and L.A. Metro Board member, Jackie Dupont-Walker.
Supporting the program were Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, First A.M.E. – LA; John Cager, Second A.M.E.; and Kelvin Calloway, Bethel A.M.E. – LA.
Ward A.M.E. Church is located at 1177 West 25th Street in Los Angeles. Services are held Sunday service is at 10 a.m., and Bible study on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. To learn more, call (213) 747-1367.
