FCBC PAM - Faithful Central Bible Church

20th Anniversary
JUNE 2016
FCBC P.A.M.
Newsletter
WHAT’S INSIDE
POLICYMAKERS’
INTERVIEWS
PAGE 3
FCBC AND METRO
LINE EXPANSION
PAGE 8
...LOOK WITHIN FOR MORE
HEALING WOUNDS &
WATCHMEN ON THE WALL DESCEND
REBUILDING TRUST
ON OUR NATION'S CAPITOL
PAGE 10
PAGE 12
A Message from the Chair
THE MISSION OF
THE POLITICAL ACTION MINISTRY
The Faithful Central Bible
Church Political Action Ministry
(P.A.M.) serves as the pastor's
liaison to the community
relative to political/governmental and community affairs . The
P.A.M. interviews and screens
any and all political candidates
for local, county, state and
national office seeking the
pastor's endorsement and/or to
speak or be introduced to the
congregation. The Ministry
subsequently provides a report
to the pastor.
The P.A.M. also reviews all
political issues, local and
county resolutions, state and
federal legislation, ballot
measures and initiatives of
interest to the pastor and the
church body and provides a
report to the pastor.
The P.A.M., when delegated by
the pastor, will represent the
pastor at meetings called by
elected officials, community
activists, etc., which the pastor is
unable to attend, for the
purpose of gathering information and reporting back to the
pastor. Members may also be
called upon to accompany the
pastor to such meetings.
Dear Fellow Champions,
This year we celebrate a
number of major milestones
in our church’s history: 80
years as a church, 34 years
with our beloved Bishop and
First Lady Ulmer as the
shepherds of this house, and CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT
OF 1965, P.A.M. LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBER DEANNA BLANKS AND
the 20th Anniversary of the P.A.M. MEMBER DIONNE FAULK REGISTER VOTERS.
Political Action Ministry (P.A.M.).
It has been an honor and a great privilege to have served as the leader of this
ministry for the entire 20 years. Even after 20 years, I would venture to say that most
of you do not know me or the members of our ministry. Like so many other
volunteers, ours is predominately a behind the scenes ministry. Even though
you may occasionally see our faces, you may not know our names. More often
than you see us, you see the results of our work. They are manifested in voter
registration drives, the ballot measure and presidential candidate analyses that we
produce, the interviewing and vetting of the political candidates that are so often
introduced to our congregation, the political candidates’ forums, the social and
community interest forums, attendance at numerous elected officials’ events on
behalf of Bishop Ulmer, and hosting and escorting candidates, elected officials, and
other political dignitaries.
Among those elected officials and dignitaries are: The late elder statesman Mervyn
M. Dymally, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, former Congresswoman and Ambassador Diane Watson, former Attorney General Bill Lockyer,
Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Senator Isadore Hall,
Senator Holly Mitchell, former Assemblyman Steve Bradford, Los Angeles County
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa,
Inglewood Mayor James Butts, and more.
Also, over the past 20 years, P.A.M. has hosted numerous community forums
designed to educate and enlighten not only our church but the community as a
whole. They include (but are not limited to): a Judicial Candidates’ Debate, the
Inglewood Mayoral Candidates’ Debate, the Health Care Reform Summit, a Forum
on Immigration, and a Public School Parental Rights Forum that included
information on Home Schooling.
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Bailey-continued.
P.A.M. MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
Kris Bailey, M.A.P.P.
Chair
Georgia Zachary, M.A.M.
Vice Chair
The importance of these events has engendered the support of media
personalities as hosts such as Jacquie Stephens formerly of Radio Station
KJLH and NBC’s Beverly White and Toni Guinyard. Most recently, in a joint
effort with five other churches, we coordinated a community conversation on
the killing of the mentally ill and black men by law enforcement officers. It
was entitled, Healing Wounds and Rebuilding Trust. The panel included
elected officials, members of law enforcement, civil rights attorneys, and
community members, and was moderated by actor Harry Lennix (The Black List).
Finally, in an effort to expand outreach to educate and motivate our church and
the community to participate in the political process, we have formed the
Interdenominational Action Network (IAN). In addition to FCBC in Inglewood, the
other founding members are some of the largest and most influential churches in
Southern California: West Angeles Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles), Holman
United Methodist Church (Los Angeles), Crenshaw Christian Center (Los Angeles),
City of Refuge (Gardena), and Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church
(Compton). The mission of this coalition of churches is “to be a catalyst for political
and social justice. To be a conduit for informing, educating, and mobilizing the
community on issues impacting our faith, our families, and our future.”
In closing, I would just like to remind everyone that this 2016 Presidential Election
is one of the most important in our nation’s history. As Bishop so often says, “No
matter who you vote for, you’re not going to get everything you want. So you will
just have to make your decision based on your conscience and God’s Word.”
Nevertheless, it is your God-given duty and right to vote. I urge you to cast that
ballot, and when you do, do it in honor of the many who endured beatings, and
even died so that you could have that right!
In P.A.M., we view service as an honor and a privilege because we view it as our
spiritual gift. Therefore, I know that I speak for all of us when I say that it is indeed
an honor and a privilege to have spent the last 20 years utilizing our gift in the
service of God, our Bishop and First Lady, the community, and you our family…the
Family of Champions!
In His Service,
Kris Bailey
Charles Nelson, M.P.A.
Chair of Special Projects
Arthur Scott
Chair of Legislation
Development
P.A.M. MINISTRY (LISTED LEFT TO RIGHT)
CHARLES NELSON, GEORGIA ZACHARY, LETREECE LEVERETT, DR. CAROLE COBB, SONYA AADAM, PATRICIA
AUSTIN, TAMARA HUNTER, ANDREA CANTY-TIEUEL AND ARTHUR SCOTT
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Our Policymakers:
Past Accomplishments, Present Projects, and Future Goals
Contributors: Kris Bailey, Georgia Zachary, Dionne Faulk, Tamara Hunter, and Charles Nelson
For this 20th Anniversary Edition of the Political Action Ministry (P.A.M.) Newsletter, and because we serve as the
eyes and ears of FCBC in the world of politics, we thought it would be especially significant to hear from the people
that we have elected to represent us at every level of government. Several members of P.A.M. sat down with our
electeds and asked some of the questions we thought you, the members of FCBC, would ask if you had the
opportunity. So we posed the following four questions:
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or
the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state." What do you think he
meant by that, and how do you see the church and your office working together for the
benefit of the people we serve?
What do you believe to be your most significant accomplishment towards unifying the community?
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What is the most important piece of legislation you have introduced during your time in
office? If you left office today, what do you feel would be your legacy?
What do you have on the horizon in terms of future legislation, a program, a project, or an
event that you feel will positively impact the community for the long-term?
CON G R E SSW OMA N MAX IN E WATE R S , 4 3 R D CO N GR E S S IO N A L D IS TRI C T
I am certainly aware of the profound advice that we received from Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. that is so relevant to our lives and in many aspects of society today. This quote
reminds us that the Church is above politics. The Church’s efforts exist separately from
the political landscape. Religious teachings remind the Church to feed the hungry,
house the homeless, and clothe the naked. In this regard, the Church serves as the
conscience of the state, not the master or servant of the state.
I think that elected officials have a responsibility to know and understand our communities. For me, it is so important to be present and available to the people we serve in our communities. We cannot
conscionably go to Washington and assume we are doing our job just by debating on the floor and in committee
hearings. Rather, we must know our communities and the people that live and work in them. We must be involved
in bringing people together. I make it a part of my work to inform the churches of the available resources to assist
their congregations with efforts to have a decent quality of life. More specifically, I believe that my most
significant accomplishment toward unifying my community is making sure that I show up and truly represent their
interests in pursuit of equality and opportunity. This is my responsibility and this is why I chose this profession.
I have legislation on several subjects that I feel is important. Some legislation was accomplished when I was a
member of the California State Legislature and some of the legislation I have accomplished since I have served in
Congress. When I served in the California Legislature, I sponsored legislation that assisted in the abolishment of
apartheid in South Africa. It was my legislation that divested our pension funds from companies that were doing
business in South Africa. Many of the state legislatures across the country adopted this legislation. In doing so, we
put pressure on the apartheid government to end apartheid in South Africa.
continued on next page...
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Waters-continued.
Another legislative accomplishment that I achieved while serving in the California Legislature was the creation of
the Affirmative Action Program that allowed asset managers and investment bankers of color to manage some of
the vast pension funds of the State. This program has since been overturned, but it was very helpful in providing
opportunities for the marginalized communities that have historically been excluded from resources and opportunities at all levels of government.
One of the most significant and needed pieces of legislation that I have now is the $3 billion bill that will rid our
country of homelessness. Homelessness is a shame on our society. In Los Angeles County alone, homelessness
has increased by 20 percent from 2014 to 2015. It is spreading all over the country, whether in San Francisco, St.
Louis, New York, or any other city across the country. This is one of the few legislative bills in Congress that addresses
this growing epidemic.
In regards to my legacy, I want people to think of me as a fighter. I want people to know that I am one of the few
Members of Congress who fights for the more vulnerable of our society. My reputation is, and always has been,
that of a fighter. It exemplifies my relentless efforts to ensure we all have a good quality of life. I don’t give in, and
I don’t give up. I legislate for poor people, seniors, children, families, minorities, small businesses, equal justice
under the law, and religious freedom. My legacy will be the legislation that absolutely identifies me as a fighter.
I have introduced and fought for significant legislation. I am the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services
Committee that oversees Wall Street, financial institutions, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), International
Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. Thus, I am involved in significant public policy efforts. Looking towards
the future, I am focused on preserving and strengthening the Dodd-Frank reform legislation that was put in place
to protect this country from another financial crisis. In 2008, this country experienced a serious recession because
of the predatory lending practices of big banks and Wall Street. We must ensure that what happened in 2008
never happens again. I strongly believe that the Dodd-Frank reform legislation protects our consumers, and I will
continue to work on implementing these significant reforms.
I am particularly focused on closing the wealth gap between the majority and the minority. Furthermore,
as outlined in my recent credit reporting bill, I am fighting to reform credit bureaus that are responsible for our
credit scores. In the health field, I have introduced legislation on Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDs, and diabetes. My
legislation invests in research, increases health care affordability, and reduces health disparities. One of the many
community activities I have organized and have hosted was an event on Alzheimer’s disease on May 22nd with Dr.
Black, a renowned brain surgeon, who is involved in preventative research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
STATE SENATOR ISADORE HALL, 35TH SENATE DISTRIC T
The church plays a large role in our community. It helps promote programs and ideals that
help the most vulnerable and provide compassion and comprehension to what is good for
the people in our community. I believe Dr. King meant that, the church should neither
dictate legislation nor be a servant to the wills of the state, but instead, it should continue
to be the pulse of the community, guiding legislators such as myself to do the work that is
best for the people of my community. Together, we must look out for the members of our
community, be a voice for the voiceless, and ensure the good of society.
California is a beautifully diverse state. Unfortunately large segments of our state’s minority
population face devastating economic inequality. That is why I authored SB 1063, a bill addressing pay equity. I
believe that no employee should be denied an equal wage for an equal day of work. SB 1063 builds upon the important steps California has taken to address wage inequality and will set a new national standard to ensure that every
worker is paid a fair and equitable wage. This unifies the community by leveling the playing field for minority
workers and promotes equality that our community so desperately needs. It is flat out unacceptable that an
employee gets paid less for the same job because of the color of his skin.
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Hall-continued.
I have dedicated my career to public service and I have focused my efforts on a variety of issues aimed at improving
the quality of life for my community. Leaving the Legislature, I believe that my legacy will be one of hard work and
tenacity to do all in my power to fight for my community. One of my most important pieces of legislation would
have to be the revolutionary SB 350. This bill put California at the forefront of environmental protection by
drastically reducing our carbon footprint while investing in alternative energies. Not only was SB 350 the first of its
kind, but it takes the drastic steps we need to address our current environmental crisis.
I’m proud to have been part of this incredible period in California’s history. From helping to lead California’s economic
recovery to restoring devastating cuts to our education system, to reconstructing our healthcare system through the
creation of California Covered, to enacting tough gun safety laws, to forward-thinking environmental policies,
California has led the way. For the long-term, I am committed to increasing public safety by improving relations
between local law enforcement and the community. This includes bringing together community stakeholders such
as members of the clergy, police chiefs, elected officials, and reformed gang members. It also includes the
implementation of community based policing that helps build relationships with the community and focuses on
collaborative efforts to curb violence. This requires the establishment of a task force comprised of members of the
community and law enforcement to facilitate an ongoing dialogue for the purpose of enhancing neighborhood
safety, reducing inner-city crime, and decreasing police brutality.
A S SEM B LY W OMA N AUTUMN BURKE, 62ND ASSEMBLY DISTRIC T
I believe that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. meant that it is the responsibility of the church
to serve as a constant reminder that the people are not obligated to serve the state
(pursuant to legislation and public policy), but rather the state is meant to serve the
people. Therefore, justice and compassion must be the cornerstone of all legislation
and public policy.
The church is the pillar of the community; and is often the first responder when it comes
to fulfilling the socioeconomic needs of society. Therefore, I see my office working in
tandem with the church to identify the unmet needs of the community; after all, we are both commissioned to
serve the children of God.
I’ve been able to serve as a facilitator between the state and our local community on transforming the Inglewood
Unified School District, and I hope that we have been able to renew the confidence of parents, students, teachers,
and the greater community in the future of the school district. While we still have a long ways to go, the
community is more unified than ever before behind the success of the school district.
Sometimes as a policymaker your role is to act as mediator between the various levels of government to foster
greater cooperation and mutual goal-setting. I have used my office to assist the community in unifying behind
two major goals; and that is providing our children with the top level education that they deserve and returning
the district to local control.
Since taking office last year, increasing access and accountability has been my top priority. I want all of my
constituents to have access to quality education, affordable health care, and a clean and safe environment. For
too long, underprivileged communities have been left out of new opportunities in green technology, even when
those communities are often the most adversely impacted by pollutants. Earlier this year, I introduced AB 2722 to
develop transformational climate communities which will use Cap and Trade funds to drive new investments in
clean energy and sustainability. The program will be community-driven – meaning each community can decide
what’s most needed in their area, instead of leaving it up to Sacramento. For some of our communities, their
priority might be expanding solar options for businesses and homes. For others, the priority might be clean
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Burke-continued.
drinking water or open space. Not only will the program invest in local communities, it will invest in local jobs, so
that our small businesses can take the lead in a new economy.
It’s funny to think about my legacy when I’ve only got 18 months under my belt, but I hope that it’s that kind of
work, creating new opportunities for investment and better access to all of the resources we need for a brighter
future, which will be my eventual legacy.
I will host the 2nd Annual 62nd Assembly District Back-to-School Wellness & Health Fair. The event will take place
on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Jane Addams Park in Lawndale. Students will receive backpacks full of school
supplies. A variety of computers, tablets and printers will be raffled off throughout the day. There will be
refreshments served, entertainment and vendors on hand to provide information on after school programs,
hygiene, safety and tutoring. Additionally, medical booths and mobile units will be available to provide free
screening and information for students and their parents/guardians.
The primary goal of this event is to provide community residents with the necessary tools that will allow them to
excel where it is important – in school. It is our mission to screen and identify numerous community residents
(many of them children) with health problems and set up appointments and/or provide referrals to the necessary
physicians and agencies. The target age group for this event is 5 to 14 years, with an expected turnout of over 500
people. Good health and education form the foundation for the long-term sustainability of any community.
L O S AN GE L E S C O U N T Y S U P ER V I S O R MAR K R I D L EY- THO MAS
2N D D I S TR I C T
In making that statement, I believe that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was challenging the
church to stay true to its moral beliefs, and use them to guide the state towards the
public good. I served for a decade as executive director of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference before assuming public office. To me, the church
is an ally, collaborator, partner, providing the necessary focus to lead us in the right
direction.
I believe Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital ushered in a new era in healthcare for the people of South Los Angeles. This state-of-the-art hospital provides quality
care with compassion, and also anchors a medical campus that includes outpatient, mental health, urgent
care, and recuperative care centers – yet it is still growing. For a community that had been medically underserved
for too long, this hospital represents healing and hope.
With nearly 47,000 people living on the streets on any given night, homelessness is the defining civic issue in the
County of Los Angeles. I believe we have a moral imperative to address this crisis, and the Board of Supervisors
has approved a historic Homeless Initiative with sweeping strategies intended not only to take people off the
streets, but to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place. We are working hard to commit the
resources to match the magnitude of the problem, and forging unprecedented collaboration among the
public and private sectors to make a bold, concerted effort to end homelessness.
I N GL E W OOD MAYOR JAMES BUT TS
With reference to Dr. King’s statement, Municipalities exist to perform 5 primary functions: 1) Public Safety; (2) Provide for Sanitation; (3) Infrastructure renewal and maintenance; (4) Education; and (5) Provide a platform for viable economic development.
Once those needs are met, the foundations of society must be nurtured and
strengthened. The Church is a powerful stakeholder in the formation of community
aspirations and standards. The Church provides a channel for real time communication
regarding issues both critical and sublime.
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Butts-continued.
My most significant accomplishment towards unifying our community is the development of a color blind approach
to community building and development. I believe that I have been an effective leader of the City of Inglewood
team that is composed of residents, employees, business owners and faith based institutions. Together, in a short
period of time, we have transformed the very persona of our City and catapulted community pride and decorum.
The result has been the influx of employment opportunities, the resurrection of the City as an entertainment
destination, the stabilization of our finances and we have generated national interest in and respect for the City of
Inglewood and its residents.
I would say that my greatest accomplishment to-date, and legacy would be the development of agreements for
both the $100 million renovation of the Forum and for “Champions' Plaza” which will be home to the NFL and Rams
as long as there is professional football. Also, the reopening of the Forum as an entertainment venue, which in just
2 years of re-opening is the number 2 concert venue in the United States and number 4 in the world in terms of
concert bookings.
In the long-term, we will be overseeing the interlaced development of what will likely be billions of dollars in companion developments based upon the interest that has manifested since the January 12, 2016 announcement by the NFL
that Inglewood will be home to professional football for the Los Angeles region.
HAND IN HAND:
FAITHFUL CENTRAL AND THE METRO LINE EXPANSIONS
O
ne of the responsibilities of
the Political Action Ministry
(P.A.M.) is to attend meetings or events addressing political
and social issues concerning
members of Faithful Central Bible
Church (FCBC), and the community
at large. As a result, P.A.M. sends a
representative to the meetings
held by the Crenshaw Subway
Coalition (CSC).
by Arthur Scott
Metro's Crenshaw/LAX Line is
scheduled to open in 2019. The 8.5
mile light rail line will extend from
the existing Metro Exposition Line
at Crenshaw and Exposition Boulevards. Currently eight station stops
will be part of the Crenshaw/LAX
Line. Along with the other Metro
Lines running throughout Los
Angeles County, and the new
Exposition Line from downtown L.A.
to Santa Monica, the Crenshaw Line
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will help propel Los Angeles' wave
into the future of public
transportation.
There are those however who view
the Crenshaw/LAX line in a negative
light. Among them is the CSC. This
group
headed
by
Damien
Goodman has been fighting over
the plans concerning the Crenshaw
Line since its inception. The CSC has
continued on next page...
Metro-continued.
always contended that Metro did not fully explore the avenue of having the entire Crenshaw line below grade
(underground). The CSC contends the line will permanently harm the historic business community that is
Crenshaw. They view this area as the only African-American business corridor in Southern California. Their
concerns also focus on the dangers of above grade light rail trains on Crenshaw Blvd., to individuals, and
gentrification. The motto of the CSC is: “It ain't over, till it's under.”
Reverend Jackie Russell, Director of Community Services at FCBC spoke with me about the project. Reverend
Russell is on the Community Leadership Counsel, she meets regularly with Metro to voice concerns, and requests
of FCBC. Reverend Russell assured me the relationship between Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D., Pastor of FCBC,
Marc T. Little, General Counsel for FCBC, and herself with Metro's Phillip Washington, CEO of Metro and
Stephanie Wiggins, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Metro is very good. The Crenshaw/LAX Line does not
currently have a stop at FCBC, however the partnership with Metro is very strong. Through the City of Inglewood
and the County of L.A., Reverend Russell believes relationships with divisions of Metro in the future can open the
possibility of future transit stops. A major goal is to at least have a bus line on Florence that stops very close to
Eucalyptus or Inglewood Avenues. These discussions are on-going. FCBC is committed to improving the overall
public transit experience of men, women, and children, as it pertains to jobs, housing, schools, and the church.
Safety has always been a concern for FCBC. It is the ultimate concern. As Revered Russell put it “This is our
Family.” It is the reason why the tunnel under construction for parishioners was the highest priority. There was
litigation that led to the private pedestrian passage-way. A passage-way that is under the sole use of FCBC. A
passage-way that will only be open when FCBC says it will be open. The tunnel is there to protect parishioners
coming from the parking structure, and for parents going to get their kids from Children's Church. And of
course it will be walker and wheel-chair accessible. Reverend Russell encourages parishioners to attend
the Metro meetings. FCBC is fully aware of the burden for businesses in the Crenshaw area. Business Owners
wonder how their product will be dropped off to them, and most importantly how their clients/customers will
navigate the massive construction of this project. One solution was the creation of small group pods discussions.
These pods created by Metro formed themselves into the current Business Solution Center. Reverend Russell
states there are financial solutions with these many challenges. “It's complicated, but there are remedies built in,”
she concluded.
The Crenshaw/LAX light rail line, along with bus connectors, and the park and rides will create new
empowerment for the city. FCBC is bettered by the further development of downtown Inglewood, the Forum and
the Hollywood Park of Tomorrow.
One more caveat worthy of mention is that the new Madison Square Garden Forum, and all the glitter of downtown Inglewood may have never happened were it not for the visionary leadership of Bishop Ulmer that led to
the purchase of the Forum. This acquisition stopped the Forum from being torn down to make room for condo
development. As a result, Inglewood now stands as a bustling model of urban renewal that is the new home of
the Los Angeles Rams!
Thank you Bobby and Deanna!
The Political Action Ministry wishes to thank Bobby and Deanna Blanks
for 11 and 7 years of service, respectively, as part of our Leadership
Team. A combined total of 18 years. Thank you both so much for a job
well done.
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1NGLEWOOD STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
SPONSORED BY THE INGLEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
by Georgia Zachary
I
nglewood’s State of the City Address took place on April 21st and was well attended, truly showing the pride
and joy of Inglewood residents and attendees. Marc Little, Pastor of Community and Governmental Affairs at
Faithful Central Bible Church and President of the Inglewood Chamber of Commerce, introduced Inglewood
Mayor James Butts as the Keynote Speaker. Jim Hill was the event Emcee, with Fred Roggin as Host. The event drew
many prominent individuals. Among them, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The panelists included Rams Owner
Stan Kroenke, Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, Chris Meany from Hollywood Land Company, and Mia Lehrer from
Lehrer and Associates.
In Mayor Butt’s Keynote, he addressed Inglewood’s troubled financial past and said that he knew it would be
difficult to draw investors, citing such issues as politics, financial challenges, and crime. Undaunted by these
inconveniences, he forged ahead. When Butts took office five years ago the city had an $18.6 million deficit.
However, he believed that the city had great potential because of its prime location in the middle of four freeways
and its close proximity to LAX.
When it was announced that the Los Angeles Rams would be coming to Inglewood, the future seemed a whole lot
brighter. "It only made sense to bring the stadium to Inglewood. It was the perfect location right in the heart of
everything," said Kroenke. City of Champions Stadium is the proposed name for the sports and entertainment
complex. The stadium is scheduled to open in 2019. The project will include a stadium of up to 100,240 seats, a
performance venue of up to 6,000 seats, 890,000 square feet of retail, 780,000 square feet of office space, 2,500 new
residential units, a 300-room hotel, and 25 acres of public parks, playgrounds, and open space with pedestrian
and bicycle access.
Butts envisions a future for Inglewood in which people on every flight landing at LAX will look out their small cabin
windows and see a gigantic multi-layered sports entertainment district - a city within a city - lit up like Las
Vegas. “With the NFL choosing the Hollywood Park site for the return of the Rams to Los Angeles, the most exciting
development in Southern California will be taking place in the City of Inglewood," he said.
The residents of Inglewood couldn’t be prouder of their city. Inglewood has a state-of-the-art concert venue in the
Madison Square Garden Forum, and Metro will be connecting the Hollywood Park development to a rail line that
will be one of the most important pieces to Inglewood’s future. The 1.5-mile gap will be bridged with shuttle
systems, a bus route, and a dedicated Uber stop. And just when you think it couldn’t get any better, Inglewood will
host Super Bowl LV In 2021. The game will kick off in the $2.6 billion NFL stadium and entertainment complex
scheduled to open in 2019.
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PHOTO: HEALING WOUNDS,
REBUILDING TRUST AUDIENCE
THE INTERDENOMINATIONAL ACTION NETWORK
CALLS FOR CHANGE IN POLICE POLICY, NEW LEGISLATION
by Kris Bailey
INGLEWOOD—Hundreds turned out for the Healing Wounds & Rebuilding Trust Panel discussion held May 28, 2015,
at the Faithful Central Bible Church. This event focused on what appears to be a national epidemic of unarmed
African-American men and men who suffer from mental health disorders being killed by cops. Its purpose was to
effect change in police agency policies, and to create legislation that holds agencies accountable for enforcing those
changes, as well as holding police officers accountable for violating those policies. This panel discussion is just one in
a series of actions being taken by the newly formed Interdenominational Action Network (IAN), a coalition of six
churches who have come together to address some of the political and social ills currently plaguing our society.
The mission of this coalition of churches is, “To be a catalyst for political and social justice. To be a conduit for
informing, educating, and mobilizing the community on issues impacting our faith, our families, and our future,” said
Marc Little, Overseer of the Political Action Ministry of FCBC, the lead church in the coalition. Boasting of a combined
representation of 100,000 registered voters, and sensing the urgency of the current social climate, this group has hit
the ground running with its first major effort designed to stem the tide of the killing of unarmed African American
men and the mentally ill of all ethnicities.
Having observed the difficulty religious leaders had restoring calm in Baltimore, organizers believe that the church
must step outside of sanctuary walls and work on healing the community. They believe that hosting events like this
is one way to begin the healing process. It is putting into action the essence of what Dr. King meant when he said,
“The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the
state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic
zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.”
A panel of elected officials, law enforcement personnel, civil rights attorneys, and mental health
professionals discussed policies and legislation that will hopefully improve communication between the
community and law enforcement and ultimately, reduce the number of homicides by cops of unarmed citizens.
continued on page 12
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Panelists included: Senator Isadore Hall, Assemblymen Mike Gipson and Reginald Jones-Sawyer, FBI Special Agent
Robert Clark, LAPD Deputy Chief William Scott, LASD Commander Joseph Gooden, Civil Rights Attorneys Leo Terrell
and John Harris, and Miriam A. Brown, LCSW, Chief, Emergency Outreach Bureau, Los Angeles County Department
of Mental Health. The event was hosted by actor Harry Lennix (The Black List), a civil rights activist in his own right.
The following is a list of the churches and their respective pastors: Faithful Central Bible Church (Inglewood), Bishop
Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D., Pastor; West Angeles Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles), Bishop Charles E. Blake, Ph.D.,
Pastor; City of Refuge (Gardena), Bishop Noel Jones, Pastor; Crenshaw Christian Center (Los Angeles), Rev. Fredrick
K. Price, Jr., Pastor; Holman United Methodist Church (Los Angeles), Rev. Kelvin Sauls, M.Div., Pastor; and Citizens of
Zion Missionary Baptist Church (Compton), Rev. Bobby T. Newman, Jr., Pastor.
FROM LEFT: CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY JOHN
HARRIS, LAPD DEPUTY CHIEF WILLIAM SCOTT,
AND SENATOR ISADORE HALL
FROM LEFT: HARRY LENNIX AND WIFE
DJENA NICHOLE GRAVES, AND BISHOP
KENNETH C. ULMER
FROM LEFT: HARRY LENNIX, P.A.M. CHAIR
KRIS BAILEY, AND ACTOR BILL COBBS
WATCHMEN ON THE WALL DESCEND ON OUR NATION’S CAPITAL
by Kris Bailey
“I have set watchmen on our walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent.” Isaiah 62:6 (NKJV)
WASHINGTON, DC—More than 400 Pastors and layleaders descended on our nation’s capital on May 25,
2016, for a three-day conference designed to assist
churches in addressing the growing attack on
religious freedom. Nearly a quarter of those in
attendance were part of the California delegation
organized by Pastor Jim Domen, M.Div., Strategic
Networking, California Family Council. The conference
was hosted by former member of the Louisiana State
Legislature, Tony Perkins. Since 2003, Perkins has
served as president of the Family Research Council
(FRC). The FRC is a conservative Christian organization
founded by Dr. James Dobson in 1983. The mission of
the organization is “to advance faith, family and
freedom in public policy and the culture from a
Christian worldview.” One of its vehicles for achieving
this mission is the Watchmen on the Wall Conference.
Started in 2004, this ministry to pastors has
“encouraged thousands of pastors across America to
pray for revival in our land and equipped them to
become spiritual change agents in the transformation
of our culture.” (www.frc.org).
This year, the conference not only included American
pastors, but pastors from as far away as Ethiopia. Also
in attendance was Marc T. Little, Esq., Pastor of
Community and Governmental Affairs for the Faithful
Central Bible Church (FCBC), Inglewood, California.
“The church has to realize that we must get out from
within the four walls of the sanctuary and meet
people where they are. Our ministry is not just within
the confines of a building. It is in our community and
in the workplace. Wherever we meet and engage
people,” Little said in an interview with Lonnie
Poindexter, host of the Lion Chasers radio program.
“We must also form relationships with our legislators.
How can we expect to influence their votes and the
kind of legislation they introduce, if we’re not at the
table?” he continued. Lion Chasers is a program of
Urban Family Talk and can be accessed at
www.urbanfamilytalk.com. Little also talked about the
new Faithwatch Online program that his church has
launched on the FCBC website. This program allows
parishioners and the community-at-large to follow
bills introduced by California legislators, and to let
continued on next page...
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Watchmen-continued.
those legislators know whether they support or oppose their bills. Anyone can access this program by going to
www.Faithfulcentral.com and clicking on the Political Action Ministry webpage.
Upon arrival at the conference, there were non-stop activities designed to equip and educate pastors and layleaders on how to impact their culture for righteousness from a multi-pronged approach. One of the important
aspects of being an effective pastor, as Little pointed out, is to meet with legislators. On a visit to Capitol Hill,
about 20 California delegates met with Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana). A gracious and God-fearing
man, Senator Daines, was very generous with his time and shared his heart for America. He talked candidly
about his faith and how both Republicans and Democrats meet for prayer services on Wednesday nights. It
was a very enlightening view of how challenging it is to be a legislator taking a stand for righteousness in
these perilous times. It strengthened the pastors’ resolve to pray for our elected officials, and before leaving,
several pastors prayed for Senator Daines and his staff.
A tour of the Capitol revealed how deeply rooted our spiritual heritage is—from a belief that “all men are
‘created’ equal” by John Quincy Adams who fought vigorously for the abolition of slavery to a belief in “our right
to freedom of worship” by James Madison. Although Madison did not free his slaves, he understood the
yearning which compelled them to seek freedom as he wrote in a letter to his father about one of his slaves who
petitioned for his freedom, “…[I] cannot think of punishing him by transportation merely for coveting that
liberty for which we have paid the price of so much blood, and have proclaimed so often to be the right, and
worthy the pursuit of every human being.” The Capitol was rich with evidence of the deep and abiding Christian
faith of the forefathers of this great nation. Participants left with a feeling of rejuvenation and a new zeal to
continue the fight to protect the freedom of religion that the framers of our Constitution guaranteed us.
Speakers at the conference included some of the most dynamic and prolific preachers and political leaders of
this contemporary age: Ann Graham Lutz (Founder, AnGeL Ministries), Pastor Jack Hibbs (Calvary Chapel, Chino
Hills, CA), Representative Trent Franks (R-Arizona), Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), The Honorable Phil Bryant
(Governor of Mississippi), Pastor Charles E. Flowers (Faith Outreach International, San Antonio, TX), Pastor Jim
Way (President, Capernaum Ministries), Dr. Kenyn Cureton (Vice President for Church Ministries, FRC), James
Robeson (Founder and President of Life Outreach International) and many more.
The conference ended on Friday with prayer and a call for a commitment to continue the partnerships that were
formed at the conference to work together to impact our culture. Moreover, a call to fulfill not only the mission
of FRC but the “Great Commission,” to change the world by the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through
our lives, our deeds, our words, and our worship.
DELGATES FROM WATCHMEN ON THE
WALL CONFERENCE 2016 MEET WITH
SENATOR STEVE DAINES (RMONTANA) TOP ROW, CENTER, AND
HIS AIDE JON ROSENBAUM, BOTTOW
ROW, FAR LEFT
FROM LEFT: BARBARA LESURE, MEMBER OF
PRAYER TEAM, CALIFORNIA FAMILY
COUNCIL; TONY PERKINS; AND KRIS
BAILEY
FROM LEFT: MARC T. LITTLE, ESQ.;
LONNIE POINDEXTER, HOST OF LION
CHASERS; AND PASTOR DERRICK
MCCOY
13
Political Action
Ministry
Visual Highlights From Our Most Recent Years
14
Visit www.ca.gov to find
out how you can contact
your state and federal
legislators.
P.A.M. REPRESENTING FCBC IN THE COMMUNITY
by Dionne Faulk
On November 6, 2012, the residents of the City of Inglewood passed by an
overwhelming majority the Measure GG Bond to generate $90 Million in proceeds
benefitting all 21 schools in the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD). This allows
IUSD to pay for the most critical improvements and renovations of existing
classrooms and school facilities, as well as construction of new schools and
classrooms.
To ensure that Measure GG funds are properly spent, an Independent Citizens’
Oversight Committee was appointed by the California Department of Education
State Trustee overseeing the Bond. Two members of the Faithful Central Bible
Church (FCBC) Political Action Ministry (P.A.M.) have been appointed to this
important committee. They are: Marc T. Little, Esq., Pastor of Community and Public
Affairs (photo: right-top) and General Counsel, and Dionne Faulk, J.D. (photo: rightbottom), member of PAM. Little was appointed to a one-year term which will end in
the fall of this year. Faulk’s appointment is for two years and will conclude in the fall
of 2017.
The first Measure GG Construction Projects are scheduled to begin in the summer of
2017 at Inglewood High, Morningside High, Monroe Middle School and Payne and
Worthington elementary schools.
More about P.A.M....
To access Faithwatch Online, and for news and other issues that are important to the Christian community, go to:
www.faithfulcentral.com, and click on Political Action Ministry.
To contact P.A.M.:
Editors of this Edition:
By Phone: (310) 330-8000, Ext. 3270
Kris Bailey and Georgia Zachary
By Mail: Political Action Ministry
Faithful Central Bible Church
P.A.M. Overseer:
333 W. Florence Ave.
Marc Little, Pastor of Community and Governmental Affairs
Inglewood, California 90301
15
Congratulations
political act i on m i ni st ry
On Your 2 0t h Anni versary.
History of the Political Action Ministry (P.A.M.)
The Faithful Central Bible Church Political Action
Ministry was established on June 6, 1996 by
order of Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer to carry
out its mission as outlined on Page 1.
(310) 330-8000
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