Reverend Victor Cyrus-Franklin, lead pastor of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, embodies putting faith into action. A committed leader in intergenerational faith and social advocacy, he has spent years building bridges between the church and the community.
Raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Cyrus-Franklin’s journey with Holman began in 2013 when he served as an associate pastor. After a tenure leading First United Methodist Church of Inglewood where he launched a groundbreaking affordable housing initiative, he returned to Holman in July 2024, a strategic decision by Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank and the United Methodist Church leadership.
At the core of Cyrus-Franklin’s ministry is the belief that the church must be a vehicle for social justice. One of his most ambitious projects is a 60-unit affordable housing development on the grounds of First United Methodist Church of Inglewood.
“The goal is to have affordable housing development done there with a community hub for support services for the residents and for the community,” he explains. The project is designed to house seniors and local workers from nearby venues like SoFi Stadium, The Forum, and Intuit Dome.
For him, the church’s real estate holdings are more than just buildings—they are opportunities and solutions.
“We have a lot of real estate that could potentially be used to help address the housing crisis,” he notes. “Working with the right partners and developers… there are ways that we can do that to help meet the needs of the community and also meet the needs of the congregation.”
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Beyond development, Cyrus-Franklin is deeply engaged in policy advocacy. He collaborates with organizations like LA Voice, a multi-faith, multiracial community organizing network, to push for fair housing policies, rent control, and financial protections for long-time residents.
“Part of what we’ve been doing is helping to advocate for public policy that prioritizes the residents and the workers and those who’ve been displaced,” he says.
“We’ve been working with the mayor’s office, the Board of Supervisors, really pushing for policy to help people with guaranteed basic income… so they’re not vulnerable to their properties being taken advantage of.”
Cyrus-Franklin believes faith should extend beyond Sunday services and be present in everyday life. His wife, the Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin, also an ordained minister, once told him, “Los Angeles is a city that’s very crowded, and there’s little community. There are a lot of lonely people walking around LA.” He agrees, acknowledging a deeper need for human connection
Recognizing this disconnect, Cyrus-Franklin has shaped his ministry to create meaningful spaces for connection and service. He understands that people’s needs vary.
“There are opportunities to create spiritual community, supportive community, and to help meet the spiritual needs of people. And those spiritual needs may not be the worship service, right? It may not be the place, but there may be an opportunity to serve.”
Holman UMC has launched a Saturday school focused on African American history, a response to nationwide efforts to erase Black history from public education.
“We need to create a space to do that,” he states. “There are folks who bring their kids just to make sure they learn what they won’t necessarily get in their schools.”
His wife also leads meditation and yoga sessions for spiritual grounding. “People are seeking spiritually,” he explains. “It’s about listening and co-creating spaces to meet those spiritual needs.”
For Cyrus-Franklin, faith is only meaningful if it creates real change. “How does this faith practically impact my day-to-day life?” he asks. Younger generations, he believes, are not interested in tradition for tradition’s sake, they seek purpose. “If it actually makes a difference, then it’s worthwhile,” he asserts.
Whether through housing, advocacy, education, or spiritual connection, the Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin ensures that faith remains an active, transformative force in Los Angeles.
