Fifty were invited, but nearly 100 showed up on Nov. 27, to support Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s campaign to represent California in the U.S. Senate.
ECM Pastor Shep Crawford and Co-Pastor Dr. Shalonda “Sunshine” Crawford sat down with L.A. Sentinel to describe what it takes to keep the church going during an unprecedented time.
Taking ministry to the next level, especially after the pandemic, could prove to be daunting, but the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture shared a blueprint for clergy to succeed.
As part of his campaign to spread peace and unity in South L.A., Pastor Shep Crawford invited former and current rival gang members to break bread together and the result was more successful than ever imagined. More than 120 people gathered on June 14, for the United We Stand Up Peace Mediation Lunch. In addition to the individuals affiliated with rival gangs, the participants included local clergy, peace activists and public figures dedicated to improving battle-weary neighborhoods in South L.A. Another purpose of the event, which was held at the Youth Justice Coalition Building on 76th St. and Central Ave., was to stem the
A day before the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, four Los Angeles-area pastors united to lead a rally for peace and justice, not matter what the outcome. Their timely actions not only reinforced their ties to the pulse of the public, but some people commented that the rally helped community members to prepare to remain calm. Fortunately, Chauvin was found guilty on April 20, of three counts of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, an African American man who was murdered on May 25, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd died as a result of Chauvin pressing
Paul Williams, aka Lil Doc, was arrested by the Federal Government two days after ending a 45-year dispute between two tribes. Crawford said he does not know what to do because he is frustrated when they are trying to help cultivate and get the “O.G.’s” to start having peace movements it seems like the police arrest them. “Doc, who is a huge part of this movement which has in his way, has made sure these tribes come together and make sure they have peace, got picked up on some things that allegedly happened way back. I’m not here to talk about whether he is guilty or innocent. I’m here to talk about Paul Wallace that I know is passionate about what’s been going on in these streets, and so are a lot of these leaders here. Who are we to tell them that whenever they crossover to do the right thing, they will be picked up over things that happened years ago. It would make them say I don’t want to change.”
“It’s time for people to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said LAPD Sergeant Kenji Inaba at the meeting on June 10 between young Blacks and members of the Los Angeles Police Department. Twenty-five LAPD officers and 25 young African Americans in South L.A. held an hour-long, one-on-one conversation with each other to get different perspectives on their relationships. The goal of this event was to bridge the gap between officers and community members. The Rev. Shep Crawford, event host and pastor of Experience Christian Ministries (ECM) said, “We are here to build communities the way we know how and that’s
“Me and my wife were walking in the neighborhood and they told us to come over to the park. Everyone was nice to us and they gave us food and clothes and we danced and had fun,” said South Los Angeles resident Louis Sanchez. Upwards of 2000 men, women and children made their way to the 3rdAnnual “Church at the Park” held at the historic South Park, located at 345 E. 51st Street in South Los Angeles. Pastor Shep Crawford, and co-pastor, Dr. Shalonda Crawford, of Experience Christian Ministries (ECM), led the festival-styled event, which aimed to promote peace and unity in
Pastor Shep and Dr. Shalonda Crawford of Experience Christian Ministries will host the 3rd Annual Church at the Park on Sunday, August 4, at 11:07 a.m., at the South Park Recreation Center, 345 E. 51st St., in Los Angeles. The free event will feature a worship service, resources and refreshments aimed at uniting Black and Brown residents in South L.A. Participants include Grammy winner Faith Evans, Latin singer Frankie J, recording artist Deitrick Haddon and L.A. Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr. Also on hand will be the artist Roqk Star and the Aids Healthcare Foundation’s Latino Outreach and Understanding Division and