Doing multiple things at the same time comes hard to some, but the Rev. Dr. Paul Felix is not in that number.
In fact, some view him as a ‘master multi-tasker’ because he smoothly handles his roles as pastor of Fairview Heights Baptist Church (FHBC) in Inglewood, president of Los Angeles Bible Training School and adjunct professor at The Master’s Seminary.
Felix’s success can be traced to several factors. His family, education, and training have combined to prepare him to do well in the positions he holds. As the son of a minister, Dr. Felix learned firsthand what is required to be a pastor.
“My dad, the late Rev. Lawrence A. Felix, Sr., organized Miracle Missionary Baptist Church on 84th and Central in Los Angeles. My mom, Susan Felix, is 96 years old,” said Dr. Felix.
He also gained valuable insight from his father-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Whalen S. Jones, the founder of Messiah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, who also licensed Felix to preach in 1979.
“I was blessed to serve as associate pastor at Messiah, assistant pastor at Baldwin Hills Baptist Church in Los Angeles and senior pastor at Berean Bible Church in Denver,” shared Dr. Felix.
“On June 1, 2014, I began serving at FHBC as interim pastor and I became the Senior Pastor on June 1, 2015.”
As FHBC pastor, Dr. Felix leads a mid-size congregation that features both an English and Spanish-speaking ministry with its own pastor. In addition to the traditional Sunday School, Missions and Evangelism departments, FHBC offers a program called ‘Awana’ that strives to reach and make disciples of children through the gospel. This fall, the church plans to begin a Young Adult Ministry.
Dr. Felix, a strong advocate of education, also aims to implement an after-school ministry to the 800 students at Centinela Elementary School, which is located next door to the church.
“Our motto is ‘Reaching New Heights for the Glory of God,’ based on Philippians 3:12-16. We want to bring glory to God by making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
An abundance of education and training will be an asset as Dr. Felix moves forward as pastor, president and professor. A graduate of the University of Redlands, he earned a Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies at Talbot Theological Seminary in La Mirada as well as Masters Degrees in Divinity and Theology and Doctor of Theology at The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley. In 2012, Carver Bible College in Atlanta, GA, conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.
Another positive in Dr. Felix’s ministry is his family. He said, “I married my wife, Marlean, in 1976 and she is active in ministry as a Women’s Conference speaker and instructor at the Los Angeles Bible Training School. Also, she is an elementary school teacher.
“We have two children, Wes, and Allyson, both graduates of USC. Allyson has run in the last three Olympics and she’s won a total of four gold and two silver medals.”
As for the future, Dr. Felix said, “If God is gracious to grant me health and strength, I am committed to being the Pastor at FHBC and serving as President at LABTS.”
Fairview Heights Baptist Church is located at 1215 Marlborough Avenue in Inglewood. For information, call (310) 671-7685 or visit FHBChurch.org.
