Rev. Marvis Davis
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Bishop Carolyn Guidry
Bishop Mildred “Bonnie” Hines
Bishop James B. Walker
Bishop Charles E. Blake
Rev. Michael J. Fisher
Year-end Religion Review Highlights Notable Events
By Cora Jackson-Fossett
Sentinel Religion Editor
[email protected]
Several events occurred throughout the year that touched the religious community in Los Angeles. Below are some of the highlights.
* Rev. Marvis Davis, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, was installed as president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles in February.
* Bishop Carolyn Guidry, Bishop Mildred Hines, Rev. Dr. Kelvin Calloway and Rev. Dr. Richard Chapple were among Los Angeles clergy participating in the historic ‘Great Gathering” Summit of the A.M.E., A.M.E. Zion, and C.M.E. denominations held in March.
* Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., an internationally acclaimed theologian, conducted the “Theology in the Hood – Part 2” revival in May. The event was jointly sponsored by Bethel A.M.E. Church and Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles.
* Bishop James B. Walker became the new presiding-prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church in June. His district includes California and seven western states.
* Bishop Walter Hawkins, an award-winning gospel singer, composer and pastor, died in July from pancreatic cancer and other illnesses.
* Bishop Eddie Long, senior pastor of New Birth M.B. Church in Atlanta, became embroiled in a lawsuit by four male members alleging sexual coercion in September. Earlier this month, both sides opted for mediation to avoid a trial.
* Albertina Walker, the Queen of Gospel, and Bishop Solomon Burke, a world famous gospel singer, both passed away in October.
* Bishop Charles Blake convened the 103rd Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ in St. Louis, MO, in November. It was the first time the since the COGIC’s existence that the convocation has been held outside of Memphis, TN. The attendees pumped $35 million into St. Louis’ economy.
* Pastor Michael J. Fisher and the Greater Zion Church Family’s Voices of Destiny choir in Compton was the grand prize winner and named “The Best Church Choir in America” at Verizon’s How Sweet the Soundô grand finale in November. Pastor Fisher said the choir plans to put the prize money towards building a youth center in 2011.
* Bishop Kenneth Ulmer and the Faithful Central Bible Church began in December the process of finalizing the purchase of the Forum sports arena, which the church bought in 2000.
