The Los Angeles faith community endured another tumultuous year in 2021 yet maintained faith in the goodness of God. Those event were chronicled in the top stories covered in the L.A. Sentinel Religion section during the year.
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
The Rev. Dr. Solomon Drake will be the guest preacher at the Father’s/Men’s Day on Sunday June 18, at Trinity Baptist Church, announced Pastor Alvin Tunstill, Jr. Inviting the entire community to attend, Tunstill said, “We will have one service at 10 a.m. In keeping with Trinity’s year-long 100th Year Anniversary Celebration, this will be a very special celebratory service honoring all fathers and men.” Drake is the pastor emeritus of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles where he served as spiritual leader for 34 years. During his tenure, Greater Ebenezer experienced continuous growth, as well as
Powerful preaching, teaching and worship headline the 2017 Annual Convocation sponsored by Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church (GEMBC). The conference opens Wednesday, April 19 and continues through Friday, April 21, at 6 p.m. each night on the GEMBC campus located at 5300 S. Denker Ave., in Los Angeles. The theme is “Opened Bible, Lifted Hands” based on Nehemiah 8:5-8. “Godly men and women from Greater Ebenezer as well as other anointed preachers from throughout greater Los Angeles will instruct a range of classes tailored to spiritually empower children, youth and adults as well as enhance various within the church,” said Pastor
Several memorable activities occurred in Los Angeles’ faith community during 2016. The following lists some of the news reported in the Sentinel Religion section. Notable News February 2 – The U.S. Postal Service dedicated the Richard Allen stamp. Known by many as the founder and first bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Allen was also a successful businessman, civic leader and social activist as well as a preacher. This year is the 200th anniversary of his founding of the AME Church. LL Cool J, Dr. Kenneth C. Ulmer, Verdine White and Israel Consul General David Siegel attend the The
Continuing their long tradition, Pastor DeNon Porter and the members of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church (GEMBC) held two appreciation services for the Rev. Solomon Drake, pastor emeritus, and Mrs. Isabelle Drake on September 18 and 25. The salute recognized the Drakes’ enduring legacy as pastor and first lady of Greater Ebenezer for nearly 34 years. The theme was “Pastor Drake: Rooted in the Past…Growing Into the Future” based on Colossians 2:6-7. Brother Martin and Sister Maricsa Evans co-chaired the memorable services, which featured Pastor Terry Brown and Liberty Baptist Church members and Pastor Larry Hooks II and the New
Spiritual renewal and rejuvenation will highlight the Annual Summer Revival hosted by Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 5300 South Denker in Los Angeles. The revival kicks-off on Sunday, July 24, at the 8 a.m., and 10:45 a.m., worship and continue on Monday, July 25, through Friday, July 30, at 7:30 p.m. The revivalist is the Rev. Lacey K. Curry, pastor emeritus of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. “The Rev. Lacey Curry is well known throughout America as one of God’s chosen vessels to exhort and proclaim the message of hope with clarity and inspiration to all who will hear,”
Clergy and laity from throughout Southern California gathered at Mount Moriah Baptist Church on May 9 to salute the long and distinguished ministry of the Rev. Dr. Solomon L. Drake, the senior pastor of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. The uplifting event, sponsored by the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California (BMC), featured tributes and recognitions from several ministers who have been influenced by Drake’s strong commitment to Christian and community service. Drake will retire from the pastoral ministry in June after decades of preaching, teaching and leading hundreds to Christ. “I’m here today,
The Rev. Dr. Solomon L. Drake will retire from the pastoral ministry in June after decades of preaching, teaching and leading hundreds to Christ. As the spiritual leader of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Drake touched thousands during long career of his Christian and community service. In recognition of his incredible impact on the Los Angeles area, the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California (BMC) will salute to Dr. Drake on Monday, May 9, at 11 a.m. The event will take place at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, 4269 S. Figueroa Street in Los Angeles. The Rev. Dr.
Pastors, preachers and teachers from across the city will participate in the Annual Convocation hosted by Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. The event opens on Wednesday, April 14 and continues on Thursday, April 14 and Friday, April 15, at 6 p.m., in the Greater Ebenezer campus at 5300 Denker Avenue in Los Angeles. The theme is “The Foundation of God Standeth Sure” based on II Timothy 2:19. “This will be an awesome spiritual gathering for all ages, children to senior adults. We welcome the community to come with an open ear to focus and explore what God says is true
The Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Thurmond will preach at the Black Heritage Month worship service on Sunday, February 14, at 10:45 a.m., at Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 5300 South Denker Avenue in Los Angeles. “We extend an open invitation to all to join us as we also celebrate the rich legacy of our forefathers and mothers and hear the Word of God by Dr. Thurmond,” said the Rev. Dr. Solomon L. Drake, senior pastor. “His calling, past and present, has been to preach, teach and train people for the furtherance of the message of hope to all corners of
Pastor Solomon L. Drake and congregation of the Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church will have Dr. William E. Pannell as the guest speaker at their 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday, January 31. Dr. Pannell is a noted author, civil rights leader and pioneer in the African-American evangelical church. He has served has the Fuller Theological Seminary community for more than 45 years in various capacities including member of the Board of Trustees, member of the teaching faculty and as Dean of Chapel. In 2015, in recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Pannell was honored with the naming of the
The Annual Summer Revival starts Sunday, July 26, at the 8 a.m., and 10:30 a.m., worship of Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, located at 5300 South Denker in Los Angeles. The services continue on Monday, July 27, through Friday, July 31, at 7:30 p.m. The revivalist is the Rev. L. K. Curry, pastor emeritus of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Chicago. “This is an opportunity to come and share in spiritual illumination from the word of God to the hearts of the people for continual spiritual development through regeneration, renewal and rededication to our commitment to Christ,” said the Rev. Dr. Solomon