75th Church Anniversary
Ministry Milestones
Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church was organized on March 16, 1942 by Rev. D.S. Richardson in a modest little building located at 2700 South Western Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. In 1948, a mere six years after being established, a new shepherd, Rev. H.B. Charles Sr. was called to lead the Mt. Sinai Church family. Under his leadership, the church maintained steady growth and relocated to 2610 South LaSalle Street, Los Angeles, CA in 1952, 3200 West Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA in 1964, and 1800 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA in 1968.
Pastor H.B. Charles Sr. served as the Senior Pastor for 41 years and under his leadership many ministers answered the “call to preach” and contributed to the development of the church. Among them were Rev. J.G. Williams, Rev. Freeman, Rev. John Gaines, Rev. Parhams, Rev. Charlie Green, Rev. Jessie Allen, Rev. Frederick Price, Rev. LaFayette Funches, Rev. William Hall, Rev. LeRoy Haley, Rev. Charles Fields, Rev. Nucion Avant, Rev. Roscoe Revels, Rev. Preston Fuller, Rev. Luther Jones, Rev. Daniel Manyweather, Rev. Norman Morris, Rev. Pete Wilson, Rev. Isaiah Robinson, Rev. Russell Banks, Rev. Willie B. Kelsey, Rev. James Calhoun, Rev. Toney Chisum Jr., Rev. Lionel Ford, Rev. Bobby Lockhart, Rev. Clark, Rev. Fred Steen, Rev. Reginald Payne, Rev. Tracy Johnson, Rev. Barry Wilson, and Rev. H.B. Charles Jr.
In June 1989, the beloved pastor, Dr. H.B. Charles Sr. was called from labor to refreshment. The congregation remained steadfast and strong during an interim period. Then on November 5, 1990, Rev. H.B. Charles Jr. was called to pastor the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. Under the new leadership and God-fearing preaching of Pastor H.B. Charles Jr., God blessed and added to the church.
In 1994, a stormy season arose, lasting four years. During that time, God continually gave Pastor H.B. Charles Jr. strength and courage to preach the word, in season and out of season. When the storm ceased, the pastor and congregants were determined to press forward. A team of pastoral leaders was chosen to work alongside Pastor Charles; it consisted of Pastors Charles Charthern, George Hurtt, Phillip Placenti, John Scroggins, and Anthony Thompson.
As the congregation grew and ministry expanded, the need to relocate was once again of great concern. The members prayed and gave, while the Lord heard and provided. On February 29, 2008, escrow closed for Mt. Sinai’s new church building located at 3669 W. 54th Street in Los Angeles, CA and on May 4, 2008, the Mt. Sinai family moved to the new location, first utilizing the Fellowship Hall next door for Sunday morning worship and then on June 1, 2008, the members marched into the newly remolded main sanctuary building. In addition, the property acquisition included a parking lot, three-unit apartment building, duplex, two-story administration building, and later, a 4-unit residential and commercial property.
After a brief time of settling into the new location, Pastor H.B. Charles Jr. announced his call to relocate to Jacksonville, FL to shepherd the flock at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church. September 21, 2008 was his last Sunday as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Sinai and on September 29, 2008 — only eight days later — Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church elected Pastor George E. Hurtt, one of the associated pastors, to be its new Senior Pastor-Teacher. He was installed on December 14, 2008.
Pastor George Hurtt has continued the legacy of legendary leadership and the priority of sound preaching. With an innovative ministry mindset, Pastor Hurtt has introduced many new programs and opportunities to nurture the congregation and help the hurting community. The membership has grown and some of the initiatives introduced include:
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Additional services weekend services and alternate locations, such as “Mt. Sinai North”, a short-term plant to reach distant communities
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Increased emphasis on evangelism, missions, and outreach by establishing The Galatians 6:10 Foundation, Galatians 2:10 “Remember the Poor” Initiative, ACTS support group for caregivers, Grief Workshops, Church-wide trips, and short-term missions trips
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BIG Campaign to support missions, help hurting people, and impact lives in our community, city, and congregation
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Church Institute, Noonday Bible Study, Family Vacation Bible School, and expanded small groups and curriculum
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Expanded media ministry to include in-service broadcast, live streaming, online giving, better web presence, and broadcast with Wilkins Radio network
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City-wide fundraising project to assist the country of Haiti after the 2010 earthquake
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Partnership with Food for the Hungry to help rebuild hospitals, sponsor children, assist churches, train pastors, and provide Bibles and resource in Haiti
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Mt. Sinai at Sea… 4th of July boat event for extensive fellowship with family and friends
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Launched the establishment of Mt. Sinai Early Learning Center and acquisition of bungalows and property
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Expanded children and youth ministries, Ashlynn B. Jackson Youth Scholarship program, summer job program, Back to School Rally
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Newly established Prayer Ministry, Prayer Symposium, Evangelism Ministry, Outreach Ministry, Make a Difference Week, Soup Kitchen, Food and Clothing Store Giveaway, Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway, Deacons Ministry, Senior Ministry, Boyz to Men Mentoring, Sisters In Spirit Mentoring, Praise Dance and Mime Ministries
Pastor Hurtt continues to remind us that “We are Better Together” as we seek to fulfill our mission to glorify God by winning more Christians and developing better Christians.
For the many lives saved, touched, and changed, we praise God. As we reflect on our rich history of God’s faithfulness to the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, we also acknowledge “…eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). May the dreams of the Mt. Sinai Church family always be greater than the memories.