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On Sept. 1, 2019, Forest Hills Baptist ChurchElder Chair Robert Pautienus told the congregation that Boyd resigned from the church effective Aug. 31, 2019, and read a letter from the former pastor to congregants. Stay tuned for more information in . He announced his departure shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday in an email to his congregation of some 4,000. In his bio on the website of his new church, Boyd says, After 40 years of pastoringsix churches in Oklahoma, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, it wasthe next right thing to start a simple church that emphasizes Biblical priorities and minimizes structure and process.". Media reports revealed a widespread abuse crisis in Southern Baptist churches. And thats what Im doing.. Said Chadwick: Preaching to people who I just love thats why I kind of have been dragging my feet (about leaving).. Joshua Owens, to First Baptist Church, Lumberton, N.C., as senior pastor. Rick Warrens announcement on June 6 that he plans to step away from his role as lead pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest raises the issue of succession in evangelical megachurches. A year after resigning as senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Churchin Nashville due to inappropriate relationships, longtime preacher Sam Boyd officially launched a new simple church on Wednesday with core beliefs that include mercy, grace, forgiveness, redemption, reconciliation and restoration.. You will meet with two of our Ministers for a casual conversation about church membership at Forest Hills Baptist Church. After 39 years of leading Forest Hill Church as it grew into one of Charlottes most well-known houses of worship, senior pastor David Chadwick has resigned. Weekly church attendance was 23,494 people in 2020. After a year of waiting.praying .listening..and healingI've become convinced the next right thing in my life is to start a simple church emphasizing: inspirational music, intentional prayer, biblical teaching, and communion through the Lord's Supper, Boyd said on Facebook a week ago in announcing his New Life Fellowship Franklin church. Greg Pope, to First Baptist Church, Fitzgerald, Ga., as pastor. "I've become convinced the 'next right thing'in my life is to start a 'simple'church emphasizing: inspirational music, intentional prayer, Biblical teaching, and Communion through the Lord's Supper. Some of the relationships, which were at times sexual in nature, involved members of the Southern Baptist church. When I wrote about Warren more than a decade ago, he conceded that everything manmade has a shelf life. He opposes abortion and same-sex marriage but believes Gods love extends to both sides of such spiritual debates. Well, kind of, Letters to the Editor: Shasta County dumps Dominion voting machines at its own peril, Editorial: Bay Area making climate change history by phasing out sales of gas furnaces and water heaters, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Op-Ed: Are Californians fleeing en masse to Texas? But we feel led to go do something else.. His greatest work-related joy each week for decades has been crafting and delivering his 35-minute sermons. Its a fraught process, complete with cautionary tales from other congregations. Richard resigned at ORU amid scandal. Sam Boyd is now listed as the pastor of New Life Fellowship of Franklin, the church's website states. The church has grown significantly since its inception, planted a church in West Franklin, Tenn., in 2004, and is, according to Hardwick, a strong missions-driven Southern Baptist church. Published on December 8, 2020 Jay Hardwick, associate executive director and chief strategist for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, has resigned his position, accepting the call of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., as lead pastor. The other three Sundays usually featured Chadwick preaching from the. Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, Authorities searching for missing 12-year-old Gaston County girl, Police charge 18-year-old and juvenile for making a threat of mass violence, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Morning Worship Livestream. Life is stressful. - 1 Corinthans 1:9. Warren, 67, said he will continue to serve as lead pastor until a successor is in place. Its too singular, too dependent on individual style, charm, drive and personality. Boyd's resignation occurred as Southern Baptist churches face scrutiny over how they care for victims and handle pastors accused of sexual misconduct. Pastor Sam Boyd was forced out of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville following revelations exposed by his own family that he was abusing his position and entering into sexual relationships with female parishioners. Warrens are big shoes to fill, no doubt about it. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9T4R-96V8?cc=1803956&wc=M6RH-J3D%3A146633601, E.V. Then get connected with a solid group of believers in a Sunday School class. But Chadwick also admitted he has begun to have doubts about the multi-site church model, where the head pastor appears mostly on videotape to the majority of the congregation. Church elderslaunched an investigation. The mission of FHBC's young adult ministry is to create authentic, engaging community where young adults can form deep connections with Christ, His Word, and His Church. Return to homepage. Other evangelists with whom he aligned himself included Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart, whom he supported during their respective sex scandals in the 1980s. He previously served as associate pastor/minister of education of First Baptist Church Killen. Forest Hills Baptist Church | All Rights Reserved. He and his wife, Dara, have one child. Pastor Parham resigned on April 16, 2017. Formal memberships will not be required and its also listed as non-denominational.. The pastor said he remains healthy and still loves to preach, but that the rest of his duties werent as fulfilling. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 2101 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville, TN US 37215 | 615.373.8074 | fhbc@fhbc.org. I love you and thank God for you! . We are so excited to welcome you! Step 3: Membership Conversation. If pastors who abuse their position of power are accountable to no one but themselves, there is nothing a congregation or community can do other than choose to not attend that church. McPhersons device was theatrical sermons she was, after all, competing with Hollywood across town. Running Forest Hill a non-denominational mega-church which Chadwick said has a budget of $25 million and a staff of 150 spread over its six Charlotte-area campuses had become such a time-consuming job that it left little time for other pursuits. Churches all over the country are doing it, with videos shown on the screen in other places, Chadwick said, Elevation (Church) is probably the primary example here in Charlotte. Saddleback Church is a Baptist Evangelical multi-site megachurch, based in Lake Forest, California.It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.It is the largest church in California, and one of the largest in the United States of America.The church has several campuses in California and around the world. Its been wonderful. When Pastor David Fleming arrived a decade ago at Champion Forest Baptist, one of Houston's largest evangelical churches, he took stock of its mostly white congregation and made a bold decision. Hill, 69; Longtime L.A. Pastor Was National Civil Rights, Religious Leader, "Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church Los Angeles, CA: Tribute to Dr. E.V. Forest Hills is an intergenerational and multi-ethnic church in Raleigh, NC near NC State and Meredith College that welcomes people from all across Wake County as we worship and serve the Lord together! I could not be more encouraged about where we are and where we are heading. Rick Warren's announcement on June 6 that he plans to step away from his role as lead pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest raises the issue of succession in evangelical megachurches. Edward Victor Hill Sr. (November 10,[1] 1933 February 24, 2003) was an American pastor. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, claims a weekly attendance of about 20,000 worshipers, Column: Did the DOJ just say Donald Trump can be held accountable for Jan. 6? Worship. From the first conversation to right now, Gods hand has been so powerfully evident in leading us. Dynastic succession does not appear to be an option for Saddleback Church. There is no timeline for the search, which will look at candidates both within and outside the church. Jay Hardwick, associate executive director and chief strategist for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, has resigned his position, accepting the call of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., as lead pastor. In a recent Facebook post announcing the new church, Boyd did notreference Forest Hills Baptist nor the reason for his departure, but insteadsaid the decision to start New Life Fellowship of Franklincame after a year of waiting, praying, listening and healing. Although no one would accuse him of diffidence, he is rarely one to jostle for the limelight. Liberty University needs full leadership change, not just Jerry Falwell Jr. Smith himself retired as UNCs basketball coach at age 66, although in later years the coach confided in Chadwick and others he may have left too soon. Boyd's new church is not Southern Baptist. Warren who insists that he is not retiring, just paring back his role to founding pastor when a successor lead pastor is designated has been a visionary in other ways. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. The website describes it as a nondenominational church overseen by a 12-member advisory board. Boyd, who has 40 years of experience as a pastor,did not respond to The Tennessean's requests for comment. Ministries. The Rev. He and his wife, Dara, have one child. You know, I just began to wonder more and more how effective is that? Starting from scratch just over 40 years ago, Saddleback has grown exponentially; the church claims a weekly attendance of about 20,000 worshipers. A Tennessee pastor who resigned a little more than a year ago after inappropriate relationships with several women is starting a new church. Sanctuary. Warren, who has more than 11 million social media followers, has written multiple books, including The Purpose Driven Life. In 2005, Time magazine named Warren one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.. Jay and his wife Lara Beth have three daughters, Molly, Ellie, & Caroline. It became the 45th church in Union County. Pastoral abusehas been a part of these discussions, too. 131 were here. Smith was one of the greatest influences on Chadwicks life. So I began to struggle with that, too., In his resignation letter to Forest Hill Churchs 4,000 members and 12,000 annual visitors, a copy of which he provided to the Observer, Chadwick stressed that he is as excited about sharing Gods Word today as I was in 1980 when I came to this church., But he also wrote that I have concluded Forest Hill would benefit from new leadership.. Boyd, who was married to his wife for 41 years before her death in 2017, is a father of three daughters and nine grandchildren. His funeral, which took place at West Angeles Cathedral on March 8, was attended by around 4,000 people. Even good organizations lose their effectiveness. Then he added, with disarming candor, Saddleback is not that great a model anymore.. Then get connected with a solid group of believers in a Sunday School class. Franklin Graham is a shadow of his famous father, Billy. [2] A prominent figure within the wider Baptist movement, he also served as co-chair of the Baptist World Alliance and was closely aligned with fellow evangelists such as Billy Graham. Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month. Following McPhersons death in 1944, her son, Rolf, took over her ministry, but he was unable to sustain the same devotion at Angelus Temple. Keep praying, serving, worshipping, and giving generously to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Frequently Asked Questions. Through weekly activities for Kindergartners through 5th Graders in Sunday School, worship, discipleship, music, and missions, our desire is to help your child grow closer to Christ and discover His love! A bestselling author with The Purpose-Driven Life, Warren understood the importance of reaching out beyond his local congregation, encouraging support for ministries outside of Orange County. Ashley Pettus is the new senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church, Florence. Worship. In 1971 Graham invited him along with seven other black clergymen for a private discussion with then-President Nixon. But doesnt a pastor need to speak to his people? Pastor of mega-church resigned under pressure from church leaders The Charlotte Observer 19.6K subscribers Subscribe 53 Share 25K views 3 years ago David Chadwick, pastor of Forest Hill. It . One of the most prominent African-American clergy of his time, Hill was opposed to the use of the term "black", stating that it was "theologically, philosophically and ophthalmologically unacceptable" and that he preferred the term "Negro". ONE gospel-centered faith family with TWO unique Sunday worship styles. First, we should appreciate the scale of Warrens achievements at Saddleback. Protect the vulnerable. Theres some grief for me, David Chadwick said, just because of the relationships and all the years (at Forest Hill). A new calling But maybe, Ill actually get to sleep in a little, too.. Forest Hills Baptist Church of Wilson, NC. Before coming to Forest Hills, Jay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from North Greenville University and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rick Warren perfected the megachurch model that arguably got its start with Aimee Semple McPherson. Our Pastor | Forest Hills Baptist Church Our Pastor About Us Our Leadership Our Pastor Jay Hardwick answered God's call to serve as the new Senior Pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church in December 2020. Southern Baptists have made changes, but critics say it is not enough and continue to call for more protections, including the creation of an offender database. The well-known evangelical pastor and best-selling author told his congregation Sunday that the search is not the end but the beginning of the beginning, The Orange County Register reported Monday. A search for his successor will be launched this week. Sexual abuse survivors and victim advocatessay sexual relationships between church members and pastors are a form ofpastoral abuse. Our Mens Ministry is committed to helping every man discover and grow in his identity in Christ. Later he served as a special volunteer advisor on South-Central Los Angeles under mayor Richard Riordan. Friends near and far who have been praying for me, have encouraged me to take this step as well. It is only a slight exaggeration to say that megachurch evangelicalism has devolved into a cult of personality. Hes famous for his four- and five-point plans that address everything from personal spirituality to global poverty. Those who abuse their power will notstop their behavior until they are forced to do so. Pastor Boyd isnot the only SBC pastor removed for sexual misconduct to later create their own church, and typically with even less accountability than before. 193 likes. The reality is complicated, Rick Warren to retire as lead pastor of Saddleback Church, talented Bible teacher who recently left the Southern Baptist Convention, Column: Mike Lindell is helping a California county dump voting machines. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. During his last year he had to deliver his sermons sitting down after losing the use of his legs. Wed love for you to join us and bring along friends, neighbors or co-workers. After 39 years of leading Forest Hill Church as it grew into one of Charlotte's most well-known houses of worship, senior pastor David Chadwick has resigned. Get Connected. He was among the first African-American preachers to broadcast on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and enjoyed considerable influence among the Baptist movement. Following the 1992 Los Angeles riots, President George H. W. Bush visited the church.[4]. Members of Forest Hills Baptist Church, I understand that my resignation has caused some of you to ask questions about the suddenness of my decision and the limited information provided. There is no formal membership except in the church universal. Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer. His conservative politics put him at odds with many of the attendants at his services. Warren declined to speak about his retirement plans on Monday. Join us this Sunday for Worship In-Person or Online at live.fhbc.org! Emory Alexander was elected as the new Pastor of . Ive told Marilynn many, many times that if I didnt have preaching opportunities every week, Im not sure I would want to do this job, Chadwick said. With its main campus in Lake Forest, south of Los Angeles, Saddleback Church has grown to 14 locations in Southern California with an average weekly attendance of 30,000. Sam Boyd is now listed as the pastor of. You should worry, Nicholas Goldberg: How I became a tool of Chinas giant anti-American propaganda machine, Opinion: Girls reporting sexual abuse shouldnt have to fear being prosecuted, Editorial: Bidens proposed asylum rules are a misguided attempt to deter migrants, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits. The Moral Majoritys Jerry Falwell designated one son, Jonathan, to succeed him as pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Virginia, and the other, Jerry Jr., as president of Liberty University. Before his resignation, Boyd's daughters reported their concerns about his spiritual well-being to the elders of Forest Hills Baptist, which Boyd led for more than a dozen years. Join us in Sunday School this Sunday, as all our groups meet at 9:30am. We hope that parishioners in Franklin and the surrounding area will opt to use their power in this way and attend services from a pastor who has not been forced to leave his church in disgrace. More: Forest Hills Baptist launches pastor search after longtime leader resigns over 'inappropriate relationships', More: What is pastoral abuse? Shortly, Faith Baptist Church came into being as an official mission of Forrest Hills Baptist Church. The teaching gift runs deep in our church, and it finds rich expression in dozens of adult classes. Most megachurches try the dynastic approach to succession, and it typically fails spectacularly. As we began to pray more specifically, a mutual friend contacted us about Forest Hills. He previously served as associate pastor/minister of education of First Baptist Church Killen. My own nomination for the post is Beth Moore, the talented Bible teacher who recently left the Southern Baptist Convention because of its attitudes toward women. A former North Carolina basketball player, the 6-foot-8 Chadwick once wrote a book about his beloved former coach Dean Smith. SANTA ANA, Calif. Megachurch pastor Rick Warren has announced his retirement after 42 years of leading Saddleback Church in Southern California. Sadly and tragically, Rick and Kay Warrens younger son committed suicide in 2013, and his older brother has no apparent interest in succeeding his father. We will have a local gathering, and a larger group by way of our live streaming and web site, he said. Membership in the church or family of God comes to the person who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Our senior adults have a real heart for Bible study, fellowship and service. Boyd stepped downas senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church, Forest Hills Baptist launches pastor search after longtime leader resigns over 'inappropriate relationships', What is pastoral abuse? The Rev. On Feb. 21, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., was "deemed not to be in friendly cooperation" with the SBC for having . Were hosting Sunday morning worship, Sunday school groups and several special events throughout the week, both online and in-person! Forest Hills Baptist Church, Seguin, TX. Forest Hills Baptist Church is. Nonetheless, Warren is Saddlebacks star, one of a very few Christian ministers whose face and name you may recognize even if youve never lifted a hymnal. On April 30, 2017 Bro. Those within Southern Baptist life have also conveyed the need to be clear not vague nor euphemistic about what a church leaderis accused of doing. He also became active in social issues, lobbying for government programs to provide housing and other basic amenities to poor, often rural blacks. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. And I thought, Thats just going to make it harder on us and probably for the congregation too. Some of the relationships were sexual in nature. Our goal is for you to experience a sense of "family" here within . A search for his . Prior to his resignation, Boyds daughters raised concern about their fathers spiritual health with elders of Forest Hills, which triggered an investigation that led to the revelation of the inappropriate relationships to the congregation, according to the Tennessean. Forest Hills Baptist declined to comment about Boyd starting a new church, but associate pastor Jake Day said in an email thatthe congregation hopes to welcome a new senior pastor in the near future. Chadwick never established a clear heir apparent at Forest Hill, he said in our interview, and its unclear if the church will replace him or instead make each of their campus pastors more autonomous. And the nature of megachurches will only make it more difficult to replace him. Preschoolers & Kids Students Young Adults Men Women Senior Adults Our Pastor, Jay Hardwick Jay Hardwick answered God's call to serve as the new Senior Pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church in December 2020. Chadwick describes himself as a thoughtful conservative on most political issues. He is a gifted communicator and a great visionary. Forest Hills Baptist Church JESUS: aUTHOR OF THE greatest LOVE STORY. 2101 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215, 2101 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville, TN US 37215. Our Womens Ministry wants to encourage and equip you to grow in your walk with Christ through Bible Study, prayer, community, worship and more! That level of charismatic authority doesnt transfer easily. Bequeathing Saddleback to Moore would be a powerful statement, one befitting Warrens pathbreaking career. It is our mission to encourage the faithful, share hope to the lost, and above . Contact Us. Forest Hills Baptist Church | All Rights Reserved. CONTACT: Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009,[emailprotected]), (SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. Warren did not invent the evangelical megachurch that distinction arguably belongs to Aimee Semple McPhersons Angelus Temple in Echo Park but he found innovative ways to perfect the model. He heads one of the largest congregations in the Southern Baptist Convention, but he has defied some Southern Baptists strictures: Just this past Mothers Day he ordained three women as pastors. I know Im a good communicator I can have people come and listen. And he loved it So I think this is just a new vision. Los Angeles, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, Opinion: California gave up on mandating COVID vaccines for schoolchildren. He formerly served as a church planter and pastor before coming to the staff of the SCBC. Following Jesus Every Day, Pastor Stephen Trammell. They tend, instead, to organize themselves around charismatic individuals, especially in recent decades. We call ourselves Celebrators because this is the spirit we bring to everything we do together. Enjoytraditional choir-led or contemporary guitar-driven worship and be empowered by bold, Biblical, practical preaching. Forest Hill spokeswoman Stacey Martin said Chadwick was leaving of his own accord and that the church will form a transitional leadership team to determine its next steps. Unlike other religious groups, evangelical congregations are not bound by long-standing hierarchy, creeds, liturgy or traditions. In histwenty years offull-time ministry, Jayhas served as a Student Pastor, Church Planter, Lead Pastor, Denominational Executive, and Associate Executive Director-Treasurer/Chief Strategist at the South Carolina Baptist Convention. By The Associated Press. The new churchs Facebook pagelists Sept. 9 as the launch date. 2101 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville, TN US 37215 | 615.373.8074 | fhbc@fhbc.org. [5], His son, E.V. They're organized by age, gender, stage in life, and more. His Saturday night sermon was videotaped, usually at Forest Hills SouthPark location, and then shown Sunday morning to the five satellite campuses while Chadwick was delivering his message live again on Sunday during two more services. What would Smith say about this decision? Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Pastor Sam Boyd was forced out of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville following revelations - exposed by his own family - that he was abusing his position and entering into sexual relationships with female parishioners. He variously served as leader of the California State Baptist Convention from 1972, associate professor of evangelism for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and was also a leading figure in the National Baptist Convention. We cant wait to meet you! Next Livestream. Before coming to Forest Hills, Jay graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from North Greenville University and a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prevent the abuse. Friends near and far who have been praying for me, have encouraged me to take this step as well," Boyd said in the Sept. 3 social media post. Sam has been a lifelong runner at every distance, including Boston Marathon, and an Ironman competitor for over a decade including World Championships in all the long course events. Hill 'Down the Road', [Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Los Angeles, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=E.V._Hill&oldid=1110163770, 20th-century Baptist ministers from the United States, 21st-century Baptist ministers from the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 September 2022, at 00:00. Williams did not cite the current situation with the EC as a reason for his resignation. Sitting between Cypress and Spring, the church reflected its neighboring McMansions but not the apartment complexes popping up around FM 1960. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. Our worship service time is 11:00am on Sundays! Enjoytraditional choir-led or contemporary guitar-driven worship and be empowered by b. old, Biblical, practical preaching. All rights reserved. Jay and his wife Lara Beth have three daughters, Molly, Ellie, & Caroline. He's currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Our vision is to see Jesus Christ transform our community and beyond through the Gospel-centered lives of our people. The well-known evangelical pastor and best-selling author told his congregation that the search for a successor is not the end but the beginning of the beginning.". Forest Hill's six campuses each have a "campus pastor," who is in charge of that specific site and preaches once a month. 4,812 were here. Welcome to Forest Hills Baptist Church! Chadwick, 69, said in an exclusive interview with the Observer on Wednesday that he isnt retiring but instead re-firing. He is leaving Forest Hill on his own terms, he said, and has decided that he wants to get himself fired up about some other things. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org). Jay and his wife Lara Beth have three daughters, Molly, Ellie, & Caroline. In histwenty years offull-time ministry, Jayhas served as a Student Pastor, Church Planter, Lead Pastor, Denominational Executive, and Associate Executive Director-Treasurer/Chief Strategist at the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Its so much meetings, planning, staff oversight, job performance reviews all of those things.. In 1998 he publicly defended the National Baptist Convention's embattled president Henry Lyons, who was ultimately forced to resign following charges of racketeering. . The Campus Pastors will be sharing preaching responsibilities and will work collaboratively with senior leaders to continue to lead Forest Hill while we format the next leadership structure of the church, Martin wrote in an email. Chuck Williams, a retired West Tennessee pastor currently serving as interim pastor of First Baptist Church, Milan, provided a copy of his resignation letter, which he submitted to Ronnie Floyd, president of the SBC Executive Committee, on Oct. 1. They say the power imbalance means it cannot beconsensual. We are sad to leave South Carolina, but confident in Gods clear call to Nashville.. He was also active in Los Angeles politics, initially backing the mayoral campaign of Sam Yorty over that of black policeman Tom Bradley and chairing the city's Economic Opportunity Committee and Fire Commission during Yorty's administration. In 1954 he was called to pastor the Friendly Will Missionary Baptist Church in Austin and, subsequently, the Mount Corinth Baptist Church in Houston.