The Los Angeles church community is mourning the loss of the Rev. Frank E. Wilson, founder and senior pastor of New Dawn Christian Village in Los Angeles.
An author, speaker, former award-winning Motown record producer and songwriter, Wilson had been battling prostate cancer for several years and died September 27, 2012 at 9:58 a.m. at the City of Hope in Duarte surrounded by members of his immediate family. He was 71.
Services will be held Friday, October 5, at 10:30 a.m. at the Faithful Central Bible Church In Inglewood. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations made payable to Frank Wilson Ministries.
“We are grateful for all that Pastor Frank was to New Dawn Christian Village. Teacher, friend, mentor and pastor, he shared his life and legacy with us,” said Rev. Alex Pineda, who was appointed senior pastor earlier this month.
“Pastor Frank Wilson was the vehicle that brought a fresh spiritual awakening to Mount. Zion through many celebrities, musicians, artists and personalities who were led to Christ and brought to Mount Zion through the dynamic duo of Pastor Frank and Bunny Wilson,” said the Rev. Edward V. Hill, II, pastor of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
“Joy…that’s the word that best describes him. Inexhaustible, inextinguishable, incredible joy. It showed up in his love for God, his Bunny, his children, and his songs,” said Chuck Singleton, pastor of Loveland Church and close friend.
In 1977, the Rev. Wilson founded Fellowship West International, a trans-denominational umbrella for the Christian Entertainer’s Fellowship (CEF) and the Dayspring Singles and Married Couples Conferences. Also, he was the author of ‘The Master’s Degree — Majoring in Your Marriage’ and ‘Unmaking the Lone Ranger.’
Before becoming an ordained minister, Wilson enjoyed success as a Motown producer/songwriter. Hits to his credit include ‘Love Child,’ ‘Keep On Truckin’ and ‘You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.’ The Houston, Texas native appeared on numerous national television programs including TBN, CBN, and ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’
He had six children with his wife of nearly 40 years, P. Bunny Wilson, also an acclaimed author and popular motivational speaker. The family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love by friends, church members and the church community at-large and the esteem in which their father and husband was held.
“We will continue his legacy of loving people more than anything else on earth and loving God above all others,” said daughter Fawn Weaver.
