ECC pastor and members demonstrated the spirit of Christ by contributing to the Jenesse Center and Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
The spirit-filled worship led by Pastor Art Dyson and enjoyed by the members of Ephesian Christian Center recently extended beyond the church walls to positively impact the Jenesse Center and Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.
Last month, ECC congregants united with First Lady Andrea Gibson Wright and the Point of Grace Women’s Ministry to donate gently-used purses filled with toiletry items to a local women’s shelter. Initially, the two churches were stymied in finding an organization wiling to accept contributions in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I reached out to a few groups and never received a call back,” recalled ECC First Lady Amanda Dyson. “Finally, l finally received a call back from the Jenesse Center and they’re going to accept our donations.”
A nationally-recognized nonprofit, Jenesse Center is the oldest domestic violence intervention program operating in South Los Angeles. Its array of services and programs have assisted thousands of women and children and educated the community-at-large about the importance of attaining peace in homes and relationships. Dyson was well aware of Jenesse’s efforts and happy for the opportunity to share with the organization.
“My daughter-in-law’s mom, Pam Williams, is a Mary Kay Independent Sales Director and she donated a $1,000 of new full sized Mary Kay products, including socks and nail polish, lotions and creams that l know will be a blessing to Jenesse,” Dyson said. “I’m so pleased to be able to give this along with boxes of toiletry items donated by our church.”
ECC members blessed more people during a visit to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park where they joined the Buffalo Soldier Mounted Calvary Unit (BSMCU) in acquainting visitors with the significance of the military company. Pastor Art serves as a chaplain with BSMCU, a group dedicated to maintaining the history of the famous Buffalo Soldiers.
“BSMCU troopers represent the famed Buffalo Soldiers, who were members of the United States Army in 1866. The regiments consisted of all African American men, former slaves and members of the United States Colored Troops who fought during the Civil War,” explained Dyson, adding that many troopers were the first rangers assigned to many of the nation’s parks. At the celebration, men dressed in frontier uniforms while women were adorned in hoop dresses and parasols.
“BSMCU embodies troopers and women of the West (WOW). WOW members each portray a woman of color who was instrumental in helping to build the west. Their stories and the Buffalo Soldier stories make for a fact finding adventure into history,” she said.
Allensworth Park was originally a town founded by Lt. Col. Allen Allenworth, a former slave, and four other settlers in 1908. It is the only California town to be founded, financed and governed by African American.
By 1910, this California town located 30 miles north of Bakersfield had blossomed into a thriving community filled with land-owning African Americans. Unfortunately, water problems plagued Allensworth and by the 1950s, the town lacked drinkable supplies.
Eventually, most inhabitants moved away, but a former resident lobbied the state to designate the original settlement as a historical site in 1968. Six years later, then-Gov. Ronald Reagan authorized the establishment of Allensworth State Historic Park.
“Throughout the year different events occur, which are designed to showcase the valuable history and contributions of this early African American township,” Dyson said.
“We received appreciated the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.”
