Over two decades into his pastoral journey, Dr. Michael J. Fisher joined the L.A. Sentinel to reflect on the blessings and growth opportunities of leading the first Black church in Compton: Greater Zion Church Family (GZCF).
“My struggle to be a pastor still remains today, really, 20 years in the game,” Fisher explained, alluding to his adolescent apprehension in following his father’s footsteps into pastorship.
“When I came in, I was 24 going on 25 and I didn’t want to be a pastor because I felt it would typecast me, put me in a box, come with a lot of rules of what I could not do,” he remembered.
Mentored by the founder of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Dr. Fisher came to understand that he would not be a Civil Rights-era type of pastor: he would bring more of himself into the role.
“From the time of Jim Crow [through the Civil Rights Movement], we wanted our leaders to have this prestigious look. The challenge is making [our community] understand that we’re now in a different fight: It’s not about looking prestigious, but about using our prestige to advocate,” Fisher stated.
This knowledge has shaped his mission as a pastor, solidified his leadership, and increased GZCF’s visibility and impact. As Fisher championed this new vision, church elders and youth alike began to support his mission, recalling the pioneering legacy that created GZCF.
His father built and organized the church, formerly known as Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church, as the first Black church in Compton. As such, it was not completely shocking to find that Michael J. Fisher, son of the founder, had a similarly innovative spirit.
Related Stories:
https://lasentinel.net/fisher-and-greater-zion-attract-all-generations-by-keeping-it-real.html
https://lasentinel.net/gospel-messenger-rev-michael-fisher.html
Pushing boundaries and limits has been an undercurrent of Fisher’s pastorship both inside and outside of the church. Serving as a pastor in Compton is demanding as the community frequently faces underfunding and outside efforts to exploit its image. Over the years, he has fought against stereotypes and gentrification efforts and worked to secure opportunities for his congregation.
“It’s a constant fight. [I’m] pastoring marginalized people, an oppressed people who have so many hopes and dreams but just don’t have all the bridges to get them there,” Fisher admitted.
“Everyone is always trying to gun for Compton. The stigma, the gang violence, gun violence, all of that. When I say I’m a pastor for a church in Compton, people say, ‘Oh, how are you even doing that?’ There are microaggressions everywhere I go.”
However, he also addressed the many advantages of being based in Compton.
“The name of ‘Compton’ travels everywhere, and there are places where I’ve been able to get on the stage because they found out my church was in Compton. I get to ride that cultural prestige where if I just simply said South L.A., [we wouldn’t] get the same notoriety,” noted the pastor. This way, he is able to amalgamate the renown of Compton with the singularity of his church.
Additionally, Compton’s reputation as a creative hub gives him access to extraordinary talent that enriches the church’s ministry.
“It’s always been the birthplace for creatives. So, I don’t ever have to look far for the best lyricists, the greatest minds, the best musicians. They all come out of Compton.”
Outside his pastoral duties, he has built a significant platform as a mentor and motivational speaker focusing on themes of justice and unity. His commitment to these messages has taken him around the world, including a speaking engagement in Jerusalem that aired globally. In all spaces, he emphasizes the importance of “justice, caring for the oppressed, not forgetting the marginalized, and, through God, being unified.”
A lifelong passion for music has also been an essential outlet. Performing under the alias J. Kingdom, he has produced pop-infused Christian music that allows him to reach audiences beyond the pulpit. His music, including records with super producer Shep Crawford, have made waves on Billboard charts and brought him local acclaim. With a new album set to release on January 28, 2025, he hopes to share a sound that reflects his growth, trials, and joys over the years.
Of his current music, Fisher joked, “I’m in my Janet [Jackson] era. She’s not dancing the whole concert anymore! But she’s still Janet and she still has hits.”
Through it all, his commitment to mentoring the younger generation remains a priority. He believes that passing on knowledge is crucial to strengthening the community and he organizes programs to teach young people skills that aren’t commonly addressed in traditional education including a financial literacy program that will teach budgeting, credit repair, and home and land ownership.
His church, a blend of generations and cultures, is a testament to his dedication to creating an authentically-led space where every voice and talent is welcomed and nurtured.
Attend service at Greater Zion Church Family, located at 2408 N. Wilmington in Compton, and follow Rev. Dr. Michael J. Fisher on Instagram: @michaeljtfisher
