Pastor Larry Dozier

First Lady Dozier Shares Testimony as 45-year Breast Cancer Survivor

Sentinel News ServiceOctober 27, 2021

Gardena resident Erma Dozier has been cancer-free 45 years. The First Lady of The New Earth Christian Church (TNECC) says, “Simply God’s grace and mercy.” As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month efforts, she will share her testimony on Sunday, October 31, during the 10 a.m. worship service. “It was in 1976 that I was diagnosed. I was about to travel to Fairmont, West Virginia, my hometown, when I discovered a small cyst on my right breast. I went to the doctor to have it checked and a young doctor at Kaiser at the time said, ‘let’s just watch it

Religion

Words of the Week – Children of God Must Stand

Pastor Larry Dozier, Contributing WriterSeptember 29, 2021

Recently, my sermon was, “We are children of God, awesome!” This is an awesome thing about which to think. It’s an honor and a burden. It’s an honor because in the midst of chaos, we can have joy. Children of God know that we have nothing to worry about, that our deepest needs are being met and that we have answers to the world’s problems, if only the world would listen. Why do we feel this way? We feel this way because Jesus Christ said, “I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) This means, too, that we are overcomers, that

Religion

Hawkins to Preach at The New Earth Christian Church

Sentinel News ServiceAugust 25, 2021

The Rev. Dr. Cassandra Mmabatho Hawkins of Los Angeles will be the keynote preacher at The New Earth Christian Church (TNECC) Sunday, during the 10 a.m. worship service via Zoom. Dr. Hawkins is the director at Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) South Bay in Redondo Beach. CEF is a Bible-centered organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. She is responsible for teaching the gospel, training volunteers, running the Good

Religion

Words of the Week – Speak the Truth in Love

Pastor Larry Dozier, Contributing WriterAugust 4, 2021

As people of God, we are to speak the truth in love. This is not always easy. In 2 Samuel 12: 1-7, after King David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and thought he had concealed the matter, God’s prophet, Nathan, approached King David and helped him to see that he had sinned and that God knew it. Approaching a king in those days with an accusation was a delicate matter. One could be relieved of his head! Nathan approached King David with a parable. He said to the king, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and

Religion

Let Those Who Have Ears, Hear ‘Take the Vaccine!’

Pastor Larry Dozier, Contributing WriterJuly 14, 2021

We are our ‘brothers’ keepers.’ News reports tell us that 99% of the deaths from the new strain of COVID-19, the Delta strain is among folk who have not been vaccinated. This is tragic. These deaths did not have to happen. I’ve heard some religious folk say, “God will protect me.” This is true, which is why he allowed the discovery of the vaccine in record time, near miraculous, it seems. Remember, God works, mostly, through people. The doctors, scientist and those who know such things have made it clear that the vaccine is as safe as it can possibly

Religion

Words of the Week – Unity

Pastor Larry Dozier, Contributing WriterJune 30, 2021

On Sunday, my sermon was “Our unity is our strength!” While I was speaking to an audience of Christians, this is true even if one is not a person of faith. Unity gives us protection, power, courage and strength. These usually equal a certain level of success. Ideally, the concept starts in your nuclear family. In this environment we learn that parents protect and provide for us. They encourage us to learn and do new things. As when we teach a toddler to walk. The toddler falls, but under the watchful and encouraging eye of a parent, gets up and

Religion

First Lady Dozier – Mother to More Than 100

Sentinel News ServiceMay 5, 2021

Gardena resident Erma L. Dozier has been a mother to a hundred children, literally.She and her husband, Pastor Larry of The New Earth Christian Church (TNECC), have been foster parents the past 30 years. Along with their own two children, they’ve been parents to more than 100 children in their Gardena home. It was the First Lady’s idea to become foster parents. Pastor Larry said, “I admit that I had to think twice about it, but her heart was set on it, so I relented and said, ‘Ok, let’s give it a try.’ It’s been one of the most rewarding

Religion

The New Earth Christian Church Sponsors ‘Seven Last Words’

Sentinel News ServiceMarch 31, 2021

The New Earth Christian Church (TNECC) will host a ‘Seven Last Words’ service on Good Friday, April 2, at 12 noon via Zoom, announced Pastor Larry Dozier. “During the Resurrection Season (Easter), many houses of worship hold services to commemorate the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the cross. They are seven sentences really, but normally referred to as the Seven Last Words,” he said . “The service usually features seven speakers, often pastors or church leaders, who elaborate for 7 to 10 minutes on the comments that Jesus made as he hang on the cross.” The featured speakers for the

Religion

St. John’s Men’s Day Features West District President Robert Bartley

Sentinel News ServiceJune 20, 2018

West District United Methodist Men’s (UMM) President Robert Bartley will be the keynote speaker at United Methodist Men’s Day celebration on Sunday, June 24, at 4 p.m., at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 1715 Santa Ana Blvd., North, in Los Angeles. The theme is “Rise up O’ Men of God!” Pastor Larry Dozier said that guests will include the Men of Hollypark, the Men of Compton First, and the Dozier Singers Family and Friends. Bartley is a member of Faith United Methodist Church of Los Angeles where he serves as the president of the Men of Faith, UMM. Previously, he

Religion

Faith Leaders Suggest Actions to Make MLK’s Dream a Reality

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorJanuary 10, 2018

As the nation prepares to observe the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Day on Jan. 15, people across the land will salute his tremendous achievements and dramatic effect on civil rights. King’s endurance as a history-maker is demonstrated by the ongoing efforts of faith leaders, legislators and laity to make his dream of a color-blind, equitable society a reality. Seeking insight about King’s legacy and its relevance in the 21st century, the L.A. Sentinel asked four L.A. pastors for their thoughts. “Dr. King’s life allows us to glean obvious lessons on leadership and courage; yet, his true legacy is that he

Religion

St. John’s UMC Hosts Backpack Giveaway

Sentinel News ServiceAugust 11, 2016

St. John’s United Methodist Church will hold its 10th Annual Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., on the front lawn of the church, 1715 Santa Ana Blvd. North in Los Angeles, near the Watts Towers. The backpacks will be filled with school supplies: paper, pencils, crayons, composition books, etc., provided by the members of St. John’s as part of their outreach ministry to the community. “We expect to give away 300 backpacks filled with supplies,” said Staff Pastor-Parish Relations Committee Chair Helen Ricks, event chair. Also, free haircuts will be available. In addition, The

Religion

Dozier Appointed Pastor of St. John’s UMC

Sentinel News ServiceJuly 7, 2016

Gardena resident Larry Dozier has been appointed pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church, 1715 Santa Ana St. North in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Area Episcopal Bishop Minerva Carcãno offered the assignment to Dozier to serve as spiritual leader of the 140-member congregation. “I was honored and pleasantly surprised to be considered,” said Dozier, who preached his first sermon at the church on July 3. Dozier is currently a member at Gardena’s Hollypark United Methodist Church where he serves as Administrative Council Chair. He has also served as Lay Leader, co-youth director with his wife, Erma, Sunday school teacher, and