2007 Runner Up
West Angeles Church of God in Christ
Name and location: West Angeles Church of God in Christ, Los Angeles, California
Denomination: Church of God in Christ
Pastor: Bishop Charles E. Blake
Date Founded: 1943
Total Church Membership: 24,000
Website: www.westa.org | www.saveafricaschildren.com
Outstanding Involvement and Effectiveness in the Fight Against AIDS:
In 2001, West Angeles Church of God in Christ, led by Bishop Charles E. Blake, established Save Africa's Children, a non-profit organization working with churches in 21 African nations serving more than 100,000 children, many of whom are orphans of the AIDS pandemic. More than $7 million has been raised thanks to the church members donating 50 percent, with the other half coming via more than 1,200 congregations throughout the United States. Among the services delivered are: education, health care, construction of homes and schools, and HIV awareness and prevention programs.
Bishop Blake has leveraged his tremendous leadership ability to mobilize multitudes of people and organizations to address the AIDS pandemic. Long before it was popular to do so, Bishop Blake and his team at West Angeles were involved in fighting AIDS. They have mobilized not only their congregation, but also their community, their denomination, and the nation as his message has been heard through various media outlets.
Impact on the Congregation:
In addition to their generous financial contributions, members of the church serve as volunteers who assist with special events, fundraisers, attracting in-kind donations and administrative duties for Save Africa's Children. Since 2002, Bishop Blake has led four delegations of 30-60 people to various sub-Saharan nations to not only see the work funded by the organization, but also to meet with nations' officials, diplomats, and clergy to learn more about the impact of AIDS.
Pastor's Quote: "The most promising solutions to this mounting crisis look beyond orphanages and institutional care to more sustainable, cost-effective and developmentally-appropriate alternatives. ... The first line of support for children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV-AIDS is family and community."
Comment from the Judges: "The personal commitment of your leadership and those within your congregation to trust God and dream big as you engage appropriately has served as an inspiration to those impacted and infected by HIV and AIDS. Your church has shined a light for others to follow as collectively we address the greatest health emergency of our time."
