Pastor Xavier L. Thompson

Homegoing Services Announced for Rev. Dr. Solomon Drake

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorAugust 27, 2021

Los Angeles lost a giant in the faith with the passing of the Rev. Dr. Solomon L. Drake, pastor emeritus of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. Drake, who died on August 18 at the age of 90, was a spiritual father and mentor to scores of leading ministers. His body will lie in state on Tuesday, August 31, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Wednesday, September 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., in the sanctuary of Greater Ebenezer, 5300 Denker Avenue in Los Angeles. The homecoming celebration takes place on September 1, at 11 a.m., at the

Celebration of Life Religion

Celebration of Life Service Set for Bishop L. Daniel Williams

February 13, 2019

Bishop L. Daniel Williams, the retired pastor of The Baptist Church of the New Covenant in Norwalk, passed away following a lingering illness. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, March 1, at 11 a.m. at the Citizens of Zion Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Newman Jr., and located at 12930 S. Lime Ave., in Compton. Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick Sr., Williams’ father in the ministry, and Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick Jr., both of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church in Jacksonville, FL, will give eulogies. Serving in the ministry for 44 years, Williams was prominent

Religion

Rev. Al Sharpton to Speak at Southern Saint Paul

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorFebruary 6, 2019

Heritage Sunday kicks-off on Feb. 17, at Southern Saint Paul Church with powerful messages by the Rev. Al Sharpton. Pastor Xavier L. Thompson announced that Sharpton’s appearance is part of the church’s Black History Month celebration, which will be observed at both campuses where Thompson serves as the under-shepherd. Calvary Baptist Church, located at 12928 Vaughn St., in San Fernando, will host Sharpton at 9:30 a.m. He will preach at the 11:15 a.m. worship at Southern Saint Paul, 4678 W. Adams Blvd., in Los Angeles. Sharpton is an internationally known civil rights activist, Baptist minister, television/radio talk show host and

Religion

Hill Headlines Southern St. Paul’s Anointing Service

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorJanuary 16, 2019

Southern Saint Paul Church will hold an Anointing Service to extend prayers and blessings to people suffering from physical, mental or emotional pain. According to Pastor Xavier L. Thompson, the special worship takes place on Sunday, January 27 at 5 p.m., in the Southern Saint Paul sanctuary located at 4678 W. Adams Blvd. in Los Angeles. Apostle Ronald C. Hill, pastor of Love and Unity Christian Fellowship in Compton, will be the guest preacher. “The ministry of healing, as instructed in James 5, provides healing from brokenness. This brokenness may come from sin, grief, or loneliness; it may come

Religion

What Does Christmas Really Mean? Local Pastors Respond

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Staff WriterDecember 21, 2017

While the holiday draws families and friends together to share meals, memories and tokens of love, Christmas really means a whole lot more, according to Los Angeles-area pastors.

Religion

Baptist Ministers, Conventions Plan Hurricane Relief Service

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorSeptember 13, 2017

The victims of Hurricanes Harvey will receive more financial support, thanks to the efforts of six L.A.-area Baptist organizations. The leaders of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California (BMC), Western Baptist State Convention (WBSC), California Missionary Baptist State Convention (CMBSC), California Baptist State Convention (CBSC), Progressive Baptist State Convention (PBSC), and Full Gospel Church Fellowship Southern California (FGBCF) are uniting to present “Baptists 4 Hurricane Harvey Relief Sunday” on Sept. 24, at 7 p.m., at Praises of Zion Baptist, 8222 S. San Pedro St., in Los Angeles. Each group will combine the offerings collected by member

Religion

Faith Community Unites to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorSeptember 6, 2017

The historic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey galvanized the Los Angeles faith community into action with multiple efforts underway to assist hundreds of thousands in Houston, Texas and surrounding areas. The various donation drives, conducted by denominational and independent ministries, urge L.A. residents to contribute bottled water, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other items to help victims rebound from the wide-ranging destruction. Agape Church of Los Angeles Calling their effort “Houston: We Are Standing With You,” Agape L.A. will accept donations on Friday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the corporate office located at 4602 Crenshaw Blvd.,

Religion

Howard Named Overseer of Grace Temple Baptist Church

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorMay 3, 2017

The members of Grace Temple Baptist Church in Los Angeles have unanimously elected the Rev. Rodney J. Howard as their overseer. In this position, Howard will administer the church until a new pastor is named to succeed the late Bishop Miquail M. Broadous, Sr., who passed away on February 26. Broadous had served 20 years as the spiritual leader of Grace Temple. According to Elliott Morgan, chairman of the Deacons’ Ministry, the church selected Howard on April 21 following several congregational meetings and consultations with Pastors Xavier L. Thompson and C. Lamar Simmons. Both ministers, along with Howard, were close

Religion

Reflections – Pictorial Review of Events in Local Faith Community

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorNovember 10, 2016

The Rev. Al Sharpton, right, fellowshipped with two leading African American churches in South L.A. on Oct. 30. Pastor Xavier L. Thompson of Southern St. Paul Church greets Sharpton, an MSNBC host and founder of the National Action Network. (photo by Mario Chavez) Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, seated at lower right, listens as Rev. Sharpton addresses the congregation at First AME Church of Los Angeles. (photo by Clayton Everett/FAME Church) Pastor Mary S. Minor of Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church greets retired Episcopal Supervisor Mary L. Kirkland and congregants following the first worship service in B-K’s new edifice at 3719 W.

Religion

Local Faith Leaders Respond to Orlando Tragedy

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorJune 23, 2016

The mass murders of 49 people in Orlando, Florida on June 12 prompted a strong response from faith leaders throughout the nation. In the greater Los Angeles area, clergy of all faiths shared the following comments. Bishop Theodore Larry Kirkland, presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District of the AME Church: “I extend my prayers and condolences to the victims and loved ones of this senseless tragedy. Clearly, we need a spiritual revival in this country because it is all a part of a dearth that we have spiritually. We trust that people will have this revival and can be renewed.

Religion

Southern St. Paul Church Kicks-off Pentecost Revival

Cora Jackson-Fossett (Religion Editor)May 12, 2016

Renewal, rejuvenation and restoration highlight the Pentecost Revival 2016 sponsored by Southern St. Paul Church. The event kicks-off Sunday, May 15, at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., on the church’s main campus at 4678 West Adams Blvd., in Los Angeles. Worship services continue on Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17, at 6:45 p.m. “I am so enthusiastically excited about Pentecost Revival. We have a great revivalist, Bishop John E. Guns of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. He has the ability to unlock the mysteries of God’s Word and make the Word relevant and applicable in such