Posted on 08/01/2009 10:59:18 PM PDT by Steelfish
Besieged pastor of L.A.'s First AME Church touts his successes
Critics seeking to oust the Rev. John J. Hunter cite financial issues and what they view as a shift in priorities from his predecessor's. Hunter's backers cite progress they say the church has made.
Teresa Watanabe August 2, 2009
Nearly five years after replacing a legendary pastor in one of the nation's most prominent African American pulpits, the Rev. John J. Hunter counts his blessings.
Since taking the helm of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles in October 2004, Hunter says, he has been privileged to bring 3,000 new souls to Jesus. He and his staff have launched such new community services as a summer enrichment program for children deprived of summer school by budget cuts.
His church shines with handsome new pews and carpets, a repaved parking lot and spruced-up landscaping. The church's affiliated nonprofit corporations have brought in $4 million in new grants. And the church recently joined a $50-million deal that Hunter says could help revitalize the congregation's West Adams neighborhood and bring in income for decades to come.
"It's amazing what we've accomplished," said the 52-year-old pastor. "The overwhelming majority of people are pleased with our direction."
So why is Hunter so besieged?
Hard as he may try, Hunter has yet to escape the larger-than-life shadow of the man he replaced, the Rev. Cecil L. "Chip" Murray. Some congregants still grumble that he doesn't adequately visit the sick, throw open his office to visitors or spearhead the social and political activism on police abuse, homelessness, unemployment and other issues that, under Murray, helped rocket the church to national fame.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
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