El Shaddai Celebrates 30 Years of Ministry
BY ARAYA MOSS
In February 1995, a small group from the Central Spanish church decided to step out in faith to form a new church community with a vision to bring the gospel to Central Los Angeles.
Carlos Ramirez, who pastored the Central Spanish church at the time, led the church plant. The new congregation, originally named South Central, was first located near MLK Blvd in South Los Angeles. During the congregation’s formative years, the name and location changed several times. After about a year and a half at the first location, the lease expired, and the congregation worshiped in rented spaces for a few years. At some point, the name changed to Central Dos, paying homage to their mother church Central Spanish. Despite these challenges, members remained faithful to God and were not discouraged. In time, the congregation purchased its own church building in East Los Angeles and settled on the name El Shaddai Spanish church.
At the anniversary celebration this spring, El Shaddai Spanish church honored those founding members who answered God’s call to serve long ago. The celebratory weekend began Sabbath with a worship service that included special recognition of members and a sermon from Ramirez and concluded with potluck and an afternoon program. Sunday evening, members held a benefit concert at Vallejo Drive church to raise funds for a new piano and platform remodel.
“Looking back over these 30 years, we honor the vision of Pastor Carlos Ramirez, who planted the seed of this mission, and all the founding members who helped it grow,” said Sandy Valiente, a founding member of El Shaddai Spanish. “El Shaddai remains a living testimony of God’s faithfulness, and we joyfully move forward into the future with gratitude, unity, and a renewed sense of purpose.” ●
Ephesus Church Celebrates 45th Anniversary
BY LAUREN LACSON, WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DAWN BERNARD AND NOLYNTHIA BRANGMAN
It was on January 7, 1980, against the backdrop of the social issues of the ’60s and ’70s that the Ephesus church found its start.
Beginning with 75 members as an overflow of the 54th St. church, the new Ephesus congregation met first at Inglewood Park, a Presbyterian church on Normandie Ave., then at 53rd St. School gymnasium, before settling at its current location on Western Ave. in December 1985.
“Throughout the past 45 years,” shared Dawn Bernard and Nolynthia Brangman, members of Ephesus church and the 45th anniversary planning committee, “ministries included weekly Bible studies, back-to-school programs, parking lot health fairs, health education classes, participation in Pathway to Health, and numerous services to the community through our Ephesus Community Services in partnership with local churches and volunteers, including a food pantry, a clean safe place for showers, and distribution of clothes and other essentials.“
This year, as the congregation celebrated its 45th anniversary, it was a time of reminiscing and recommitment to the mission that has driven them for almost five decades. Southern California Conference (SCC) leadership affirmed the church, stating: “For nearly half a century, Ephesus has stood faithfully as the church on the corner with Christ at the center—a beacon of light, hope, and unwavering witness in the city of Los Angeles. Your ministry has been a living testimony of the love of Christ, reflected through vibrant worship, passionate outreach, and your deep commitment to building community and proclaiming the everlasting gospel.“
“Forty-five years later, our mission remains the same,” current pastor Donavan Childs said, “worshipping God in spirit and truth and being of service to the community.” ●
PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED EPHESUS CHURCH
Pastor Craig Arthur Dossman, Sr.
Pastor William Dawson
Pastor Leslie Pollard
Pastor Howard Small
Pastor Lorenzo L. Grant
Pastor John D. McCoy
Pastor Robert Dent
Pastor Kendall Guy
Pastor Louis V. Petite Frere
Pastor Edwin McBride
Pastor Donald McPhaull
Pastor Donavan Childs
