St. Paul Baptist Church

Thompson to Step Down as President of Baptist Ministers Conference

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorMay 30, 2018

L.A. Pastor, BMC’s youngest-ever president, led group in successfully tackling spiritual and social justice issues After more than five years leading the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California (BMC), the Rev. Xavier L. Thompson will step down as president. Fortunately, his move is not due to scandal or disgrace, but rather his choice in light of his growing ministry and increasing involvement in the civic arena. Elected as the youngest president in BMC’s history, Thompson is the pastor of Southern Baptist Church in Los Angeles. His charge has expanded to include spiritual leadership of St. Paul Baptist

Religion

‘How Sweet the Sound’ Reveals L.A.’s Role in Gospel Music History

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorFebruary 14, 2018

A new exhibit reveals Black L.A.’s key role in the evolution of gospel music. “How Sweet the Sound: Gospel Music in Los Angeles” uses vintage photographs, video recordings and other memorabilia to tell how African American artists and churches created a global musical phenomenon. The multi-media presentation is at the California African American Museum in Exposition Park until August 26. The historical display charts the Black religious experience in Los Angeles from 1872 to the early 1970s. Within that timeframe, a range of innovators and ministries are highlighted for their contributions to the genre. Starting with Biddy Mason, the founder of First AME