The Rev. Dr. Solomon L. Drake will retire from the pastoral ministry in June after decades of preaching, teaching and leading hundreds to Christ.
As the spiritual leader of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Drake touched thousands during long career of his Christian and community service.
In recognition of his incredible impact on the Los Angeles area, the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California (BMC) will salute to Dr. Drake on Monday, May 9, at 11 a.m. The event will take place at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 4269 S. Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. The Rev. Dr. Melvin V. Wade, Sr., is the host pastor.
“Scripture is clear – ‘let the elders who rule well be worthy of double honor.’ Dr. Solomon Drake warrants and merits this salute because of his impeccable integrity, his character is unspotted and his reputation is intact,” said the Rev. Xavier L. Thompson, BMC president and pastor of Southern St. Paul Church.
“He has been an exemplary leader and has had a stellar ministerial and pastoral career. We thought it was befitting and the least we could do as he retires from the pastorate, to salute, commend and applaud him for all of his accomplishments through the course of his ministry.”
On a personal level, Thompson shared that Drake has been a mentor to him and many younger ministers. Also, Dr. Drake wrote a letter of recommendation in support of Thompson’s enrollment at Fuller Theological Seminary.
“He has always been a senior pastor that I could seek out wise counsel and advice. He’s been like a physical, living and spiritual GPS for me,” noted Thompson.
Drake has served at Greater Ebenezer for nearly 34 years. During his tenure, he led the membership in expanding the edifice, purchasing additional properties, opening a pre-school, and establishing a state-of-the-art library. In addition, a portion of South Denker Avenue was designated as ‘Pastor Drake Square’ by the City of Los Angeles.
Prior to his ministerial career, Dr. Drake made a significant mark in professional baseball as an outfielder for the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. Also, he and his brother, Sammy, were the first African American brothers to play in the major leagues.
The salute to Dr. Drake is open to the public. For information, call (323) 731-2703.
