More than 350 members of First AME Church of Los Angeles (FAME) were on hand for a spirit-filled, outdoor reception to welcome Senior Minister “J” Edgar Boyd for another year at the helm of the 142 year-old congregation.
His reappointment was announced at the close of the 90th session of the Southern California Annual Conference, by Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District of the AME Church.
The reception, spearheaded by the church’s stewards and trustees, was held in the garden of the Allen House, directly across the street from the church, and featured more than 20 videotaped messages to Rev. Boyd and his wife, from FAME’s auxiliaries, commissions, ministries and members. There were performances by The First Fruits, Voices of Gospel, INTRINSIC Praise Mime and Voice of One. Persons of all ages, including several who had been members since the location at 8th and Towne (more than 45 years ago), expressed their pleasure with Pastor Boyd’s return for a third year of service.
Ronald Johnson, a member for more than 60 years, whose family has attended for four generations, said, “Pastor Boyd brings integrity, trust, and resurgence. We are headed in the right direction and I am so happy to have him re-appointed here and for him to be our leader along with First Lady, Mrs. Florence Boyd. He is deeply committed to the church’s community outreach and bringing a heightened awareness to social justice issues that face our community and our country.”
Rev. Boyd said, “This will be the year of implementation, putting in place all the programs, dreams and concepts that we have already put on the drawing board and really engaging in them and moving forward. This includes focusing on our kids, individuals returning to the community from incarceration and veterans in the community who need our help.”
A native of Florida, Rev. Boyd has held pastoral assignments since 1971, including 20 years at Bethel AME Church in San Francisco, before being assigned to FAME. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degreein Community Development from Western Washington University and a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He is currently in the dissertation phase for a Doctor of Ministry degree at the American Baptist Seminary of the West. He and his wife Florence (Miles) Boyd are the parents of four adult children.
First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles is the oldest church founded by African Americans in the city of Los Angeles. In 1872, Mrs. Biddy Mason, a former slave, to established a church that would minister to the mind, body and soul of all who would join that small band of believers. The vision, 142 years ago, has grown to what is now a congregation of thousands and several dozen ministries that bless and reach thousands of persons in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
