City of David Community Church is only two-years-old, but the ministry is making an impact in South Los Angeles.
Led by the Rev. Demiko Fitzgerald, the congregation has connected with the community by focusing on edifying, empowering and educating people about the love of God. Sharing this message has influenced scores of young families and seasoned Christians to join the fellowship.
“We’re an intergenerational church, so we have members from the youth age range to elders and we even are attracting that 30-to-50 age group that seems to be disenchanted with the church. God has blessed us to connect with that age group in a strong way,” said Fitzgerald.
“Actually, God has blessed us tremendously, both spiritually and numerically. Fifty-four people joined last year and so we’re growing and looking for a church building to purchase.”
Currently, City of David worships on Sundays at 8 a.m., at St. James AME Church, 655 W. 70th St., and holds Bible Study on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. The church’s eight ministries include traditional auxiliaries such as the music department, usher board, and the Daughter’s of Naomi Women’s Ministry. To aid the community, City of David organized an Angel Tree Ministry where members identify and assist local families in need.
Another community event the church hosts is the annual “Imagine If” program, which distributes free food, clothing and toys during the Christmas season. Last year, more than 300 people were recipients of the giveaway items. City of David members also pledged to aid students in a meaningful way, said Fitzgerald.
“We made a commitment to bless inside the house and connect outside the house. Every year, we set a goal to select one or two schools and give every student a backpack full of supplies,” he explained. “Year one, we selected 59th St. School and Gil Garcetti Learning Academy and year two, we selected Leapwood Elementary in Carson and K-Anthony School in Los Angeles.”
Acknowledging that the schools aren’t near the church’s worship center, Fitzgerald insisted, “It’s important that we select schools all over. Although we are a local church, we take serious the command of the Great Commission to have a global impact. Wherever there’s a need, we want to do our best to try to meet that need realizing that we’re just planting seeds, others will water and eventually, God will give the increase and bless those bodies to do great things.”
While City of David has a solid foundation and a clear vision of its mission, it wasn’t easy in the beginning. Fitzgerald said that he accepted his call to the ministry in 2011 and was serving as minister of evangelism at Bethel AME Church in L.A., when God guided him in a new direction.
“In the summer of 2016, God spoke to my spirit and said it was time to launch a ministry,” he recalled. Fitzgerald discussed the move with his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Kelvin T. Calloway, Sr., and his father-in-ministry, Bishop Johnny Young of the Miracle Temple Church of God Pentecostal in Inglewood. After both pastors extended their blessings, Fitzgerald began planning to officially open City of David.
Remembering that time, he said, “The challenge was just getting it up. It was on paper and we had an initial team of leaders who were meeting, but until we just stepped out on faith, put a date out there and posted a flyer on social media, then people began to say, ‘You can’t turn back now.’
“When we got the ministry flyer and made all the proper arrangements, we just launched and God has been blessing tremendously to get the vision off of the paper and into reality. Everything that we needed, like hymnals or Bibles for the youth, God has provided,” Fitzgerald said.
Since holding the first worship in January 2017, City of David has drawn many members and supporters. In addition to word-of-mouth, the church has a significant online and social media presence populated with photos, announcements, Bible Studies and giving options.
Fitzgerald said he’s also pleased with the intergenerational mix of the congregation. He noted that whether young adult or elder members host an event, the church body unites in support and work together its success along with inviting non-members to attend.
“When we look at the early church, the disciples were a hodge-podge group, so we try to attract and invite everyone and preach a message that is transparent, but real, based on the Bible. We try to have events where anyone can come that is not a member and you’ll get the same treatment as a member,” said Fitzgerald.
“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. We’re just trying to build relationships with Jesus Christ.”
To connect with City of David Community Church, call (323) 694-0371, email [email protected] or visit Facebook.