"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:18-19
APRIL 2026
Compton Marches for Immigration Rights
Voices of Hope: Compton Marches for Immigration Rights
Hosted by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson in alliance with the Mayor and Councilmembers of the City of Compton, along with other community leaders and organizations
On April 24, 2026, community members, advocates, families, and leaders gathered in the City of Compton for an evening of unity, reflection, and peaceful demonstration in support of immigrant families and workers.
The event began at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where attendees assembled in solidarity before marching together through the city to Fig/Oleander Park. There, a peaceful yet powerful protest was held, with voices lifted in advocacy, justice, and hope. The message extended beyond the park through coverage by Channel 4 NBC News, Channel 52 KVEA (Spanish-language news), and other media outlets.
Following the demonstration, participants marched back to the church, where the evening concluded with a solemn and meaningful vigil—honoring those impacted by deportation and standing together in prayer, unity, and compassion.
This gathering served as a powerful reminder of the strength found in community, the impact of peaceful protest, and the enduring call to stand for justice, dignity, and human rights.
City of Compton — April 24, 2026
RDS Diversion Workshop Graduation Ceremony
Restoration Diversion Services Presents: The Diversion Workshop Graduation Ceremony
The March–April 2026 Cohort gathered with community partners, supporters, family, and friends to celebrate the resilience, growth, and achievements of this empowered group of future leaders.
The ceremony honored the courage and transformation of the graduates as they embraced new beginnings. Presentations included opening remarks from Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, heartfelt words of encouragement from RDS Program Director Deatra Handy, graduate reflections read by RDS Lead Case Manager Brena Robinson, a biblical charge from Bishop Trop Campbell of The Secret Place Church, and a closing prayer led by the Director of S.A.L.T.
A special highlight of the celebration was a powerful, music-enhanced spoken word piece presented by one of the graduates—please see above and experience the depth, creativity, and testimony of her journey.
May these dear young sisters be blessed, protected, and led to do great things for the Lord God Almighty.
Hallelujah. Let the name of Him who does all things well be praised forever.
City of Compton — April 24, 2026
Father-Con Comes to Compton
Father-Con’s “Heart of the Father” Award Presented to the Director of The S.A.L.T.
Special Screening of the Film “No Address” and Panel Discussion with Q&A
On April 17, 2026, community leaders, advocates, and residents gathered at the Dollarhide Community Center in Compton, CA, for an impactful evening centered on recognition, awareness, and meaningful dialogue.
The event featured the presentation of Father-Con’s Heart of the Father Award to the Director of The S.A.L.T., honoring a commitment to compassionate service, outreach, and transformative work within the community. Councilmember Andre Spicer (District 2, City of Compton), who is currently a mayoral candidate, helped host the event, delivered the opening remarks, and was also honored during the commencement.
Following the award presentation, attendees participated in a special screening of the film “No Address,” setting the stage for a thoughtful and engaging panel discussion that explored the themes and real-life implications highlighted in the film.
The panel, moderated by Ben Kay, Associate Director of HOPICS, included Dr. Vince Beresford (Dream Center), Rohit Singh (Hexeum Capital), and Kristienne Jimeno (Nursing Manager, El Camino Hospital Palo Alto). Together, they offered insight, professional perspective, and practical reflections, followed by an interactive Q&A with attendees.
This gathering served as a powerful moment of recognition, awareness, and community engagement—bringing voices together to address pressing issues and inspire continued action.
Dollarhide Community Center, Compton, CA — April 17, 2026
Tour of the Long Beach Campus - Chapel of Change
Initial Meeting with Pastor Zach Strasters of Chapel of Change
and Tour of the Chapel of Change Ranch Campus in the City of Long Beach, along the border of the City of Compton
On April 17, 2026, a meaningful and forward-looking meeting took place with Pastor Zach Strasters, Campus Pastor and Director of Residential Discipleship for Chapel of Change, as well as Executive Director of Heart of Jesus Ministries International. This initial gathering marked the beginning of what holds strong potential for impactful collaboration in outreach, restoration, and community transformation.
The visit included a guided tour of the Chapel of Change Ranch Campus in the City of Long Beach, along the border of Compton—an environment intentionally cultivated to foster healing, discipleship, and holistic ministry.
Conversations centered on shared vision, Kingdom purpose, and opportunities to serve and uplift individuals and families throughout surrounding communities. The time spent together reflected a mutual commitment to advancing work that restores lives, strengthens neighborhoods, and shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ through both word and action.
This meeting stands as a promising step toward building relationships that bear lasting fruit for the glory of God and the good of the community.
Long Beach / Compton Border — April 17, 2026
Hope Fest LA - Resource Fair
Hope Fest LA — Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival
(The S.A.L.T. was honored to play a role in organizing the Resource Fair held at this historic gathering.)
On April 11, 2026, believers, leaders, ministries, and community members gathered at the Los Angeles Coliseum to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival—an outpouring that forever marked the global Church with a renewed emphasis on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Hope Fest LA served as both a celebration and a call to continued unity, revival, and outreach in this generation. The event brought together diverse voices and ministries, all centered on proclaiming the hope of the Gospel and the transforming work of Jesus Christ.
As part of this impactful gathering, The S.A.L.T. had the privilege of helping organize the Resource Fair—creating space for organizations and ministries to connect directly with attendees, provide support, and extend tangible expressions of care to the community.
This day stood as a powerful reminder that the same Spirit poured out at Azusa Street continues to move today—bringing hope, healing, and restoration to all who believe.
Los Angeles Coliseum — April 11, 2026
MARCH 2026
GMS Cultural Center - Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
GMS Cultural Community Center Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
Greater Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Compton, CA
On March 22, 2026, Greater Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its 68th Church Anniversary alongside the historic Grand Opening of the GMS Cultural Community Center—marking the fulfillment of years of prayer, faith, and unwavering vision.
For over three years, The S.A.L.T. has looked forward to this day. With a clear and intentional focus on sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by meeting the needs of the surrounding community, this church continues to shine as “the light of the world” in this corner of the Earth. Through growing partnerships with urban Christian ministries, this new center stands not merely as a community development space, but as a true missionary outpost—equipped for outreach, restoration, and Kingdom impact.
The testimony behind this building is nothing short of miraculous. Once a liquor store known for violence and tragedy, the property carried a heavy history. When told, “We will never sell,” the church responded not with resistance, but with prayer. Week after week, for an entire year, members gathered after Sunday service—joining hands, stretching around the entire block, and crying out to God to redeem the space for His purposes. Members of the surrounding community often joined in.
Then, suddenly, the breakthrough came. The owner approached the church and offered to sell—despite higher offers—stating that God had instructed him to do so at market value. When traditional financing doors closed, the church pressed further into prayer. In time, through divine guidance given to Senior Pastor Kalvin Cressel and First Lady Pam Cressel, the Lord made a way to acquire the building without reliance on the banks.
Miracle after miracle, the hand of God was evident every step of the way.
What once stood as a place marked by darkness now stands as a beacon of light, hope, and transformation. And yet, this is only the beginning.
Compton, CA — March 22, 2026
Quarterly Real Men Talk Goes to New Haven COGIC
Quarterly Real Men Talk, New Haven Church of God in Christ
South L.A. | March 21, 2026
Latino Christian National Network Partnership Meeting
Strategic Partnership Meeting
With
Rev. Carlos L. Malave, President of the Latino Christian National Network
March 19, 2026
Big Chair Chess Club Partnership Meeting
Strategic Partnership Meeting
With
Eugene Brown, Founder of the Big Chair Chess Club
And
Real Life Inspiration for the Movie, “Life of a King”, starring Cuba Gooding Jr.
March 16, 2026
36th Anniversary of the N.O.W. Church of California
36th Anniversary Celebration & Pastor Roast, N.O.W. Church of California
Long Beach | March 15, 2026
South L.A. Free Bus Ride, Tickets & Night at the Opera
Holly Mitchell’s Office & Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Expose Local Residents to the Opera
From the Athens Neighborhood of South L.A. to the Civic Center of Downtown Los Angeles
March 14, 2026
Town Hall on I.C.E. with 20 Mayors & Councilmembers
Town Hall on ICE:
“On the Frontlines: A Regional Hearing on the Human Cost of Mass Deportations and How Local Governments Can Fight Back”
Citizen Panels Appear Before a Panel of 20 Mayors & Councilmembers
Democracy Center, Japanese American National Museum | March 13, 2026
World Impact Partnership Meeting & Tour
Strategic Partnership Meeting & Tour With Pastor Chad Wolyn
Vermont Ave, Los Angeles | March 10, 2026
Serving As a Second (Associate Pastors/Church Leaders)
Serving As a Second (Invitation-Only Seminar & Fellowship for Associate Pastors & Church Leaders)
Calvary Chapel Santa Fe Springs, CA | March 9, 2026
AI & Digital Training - Long Beach, CA
AI & Digital Tools for Ministry Excellence : 4-Week Hybrid Training Launch
Long Beach, CA | March 3, 2026
FEBRUARY 2026
Regional Evangelism Training - Hope LA
Regional Evangelism Training, Hope LA, San Gabriel Valley | February 21, 2026
Brothers and sisters, hear this testimony that must be declared:
“On Saturday, February 21st, in the midst of—and as part of—this training, I was healed completely of a severe case of osteoarthritis (hip arthritis). The pain had become unbearable. Walking was increasingly limited. Surgery felt imminent and inevitable.
During the training, a sister in Christ, whom I had never met or seen before, laid hands on me and prayed in faith for this illness to be removed. As she did so, I prayed quietly, simply repeating, ‘Lord, I believe. I believe…’ In that moment, I felt the area of illness gently soften.
For the rest of the meeting, whenever we stood, I found myself continually moving my hip and leg in ways that had previously been impossible. Healed—healed! God, as He has said is possible (and to be expected as we go into the world to share the Gospel), had healed His too-often-lukewarm servant.
Hallelujah! Oh Lord, I love You! I am not worthy of Your attention, yet with joy—glorying in Your grace and mercy—I praise Your gloriously awe-inspiring name.
Reader, you choose: belief or unbelief; surrender or complacency; go, or stay. As for me—
“Lord, I believe. I believe. Lord, I believe. I believe. Lord…”
100 Men Praying... and Acting in Faith
100 Men Praying (Featuring the Prayer March / Bible Club Movement),
Zoe Christian Fellowship Church, West Adams (Los Angeles) | February 21, 2026
Valentine's Day Paint & Sip at Grace UMC
Paint & Sip (Community Cultural Luncheon), Grace United Methodist Church
Los Angeles (Slauson near La Brea) | February 14, 2026
The 2026 Reconvening of the Compton Clergy Council
The Compton Clergy Council – Featuring:
Community-Wide Educational Support Through the Compton Community Health Pathways Program
and
The New HOPICS Compton Access Center
Dollarhide Community Center, Compton, CA | February 14, 2026
Community Panel on Renting & Saving Basics
Community Panel: Renting & Saving Basics
Sponsored by the Black Real Estate Network (BREN), A USC Student Organization
Zion Temple Community Church, South Los Angeles | February 1, 2026
JANUARY 2026
The Pastors & Leaders Luncheon - Watts
The Pastors & Leaders Meeting
Local Organizing for the HopeFest LA Crusade in the L.A. Coliseum on Saturday, April 11th
Bel-Vue Presbyterian Church, Watts, Los Angeles, CA | January 30, 2026
The Mental State of the Local Church
The Mental State of the Local Church Summit
McCoy Memorial Baptist Church, South Los Angeles, CA | January 24, 2026
20th Anniversary Concert, Luncheon & Silent Auction
Champions of Caring Connections (CCC) 20th Anniversary, Benefits Concert, Luncheon & Silent Auction
“Celebrating and Fostering Hope for the Community Through Music”
Double Tree by Hilton, Buena Park, CA 90620 | January 24, 2026
Tug-A-Soul Leadership Conference Play
Tug-A-Soul
“When Belief Is Broken, Can It Be Rebuilt or Will the Darkness Win?”
Presented by Lincoln Ave Celestial COGIC and the LACT Actors Guild
Courtyard Marriot Monrovia | January 23, 2026
The 2026 Homeless Count - West Adams (Los Angeles)
Annual Local Homeless Count for the West Adams Area of South Los Angeles
Holman United Methodist Church, West Adams, Los Angeles | January 22, 2026
DMH Clergy Breakfast - Lynwood, CA
The Clergy Breakfast for the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health – Service Area 6
Greater Emmanuel Temple Church, Lynwood, CA | January 16, 2026
Youth Ministry Expansion Seminar
Grow Your Youth Ministry (an Outreach Expansion Seminar)
The SEED LA School, Vermont/Manchester, South Los Angeles, CA | January 15, 2026
Human Trafficking Awareness March
Human Trafficking Awareness March
Lead by Northeast of the Well’s Newly Establishd Offices on the South Figueroa Corridor
Faithful St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, South Los Angeles, CA | January 9, 2026
Pastors Dinner - South Los Angeles
The South LA Pastors Dinner of Hope Los Angeles
Iglesia de Dios Camino de Santidad, South Los Angeles, CA | January 5, 2026
Funding What Will Work
"in every zip code..."
One church with a Community Outreach Hub in every zip code of every inner city of our nation, beginning with the 23 zip codes in Compton and South L.A.