Grantee Directory

The Thriving Black Church Initiative (TBCI) is a comprehensive program aimed at bolstering the health and vitality of Black congregations and communities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Curated by Our Daily Bread Ministries, at the direction of our Strategic Governing Partners, TBCI is poised to launch a groundbreaking digital platform that serves as a centralized repository for Black Church resources and materials to facilitate Bible engagement, spiritual growth, and leadership advancement. Central to TBCI's mission is the promotion of spiritual formation and discipleship, nurturing ministries that resonate with the lives of Black congregants while deepening their connection to God. This includes the cultivation of congregational leaders who are instrumental in sustaining and expanding thriving churches within Black communities. To achieve this, the initiative focuses on vibrant programs centered on discipleship and spiritual formation, authentically crafted by and for Black Americans. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between pastors, lay-leaders, and communities in Black contexts, TBCI serves as a vital resource for Black congregational leaders. TBCI will provide contextualized seminary-level courses meticulously crafted by Black Christian subject-matter experts. These courses are tailored specifically for the ministerial development of Black congregational and para-ministry leaders. Moreover, TBCI will foster a collaborative environment where Christian leaders can convene, exchange insights, and share resources. This communal ethos transcends denominational and geographical boundaries, nurturing a vibrant community of learning and support. Utilizing an Asset-Based Development approach, Our Daily Bread Ministries will work collaboratively with representatives from our six governing strategic partners: Church of God in Christ, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Global Summit/City Partnership, Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors, AME Zion, and PastorServe, to develop resources contextualized for the Black Churches. These resources will aid biblical engagement, spiritual formation, and congregational leadership development.

West Angeles Church is a 77-year-old congregation serving in the urban center of South Los Angeles. The church was founded in 1943 and has grown to over 25,000 members under the leadership of Charles E. Blake, who was appointed pastor in 1969. The stated mission of West Angeles is to encourage life transformation through its threefold purpose: to evangelize, edify, and equip the whole person to serve the community, and to reach the world for Jesus Christ. As West Angeles grew both numerically and in influence, it became a model for many congregations throughout the denomination of what is possible as they seek to serve the spiritual and physical needs of their communities. Understanding this, Bishop Blake consistently calls our church to share the systems, strategies, tools and ministries implemented by West Angeles so that other congregations may also thrive. Through this project, we aim to equip 30 COGIC congregations with the tools to help them reach unchurched 30-50 year-olds, integrate them into the rhythms of their congregations, and develop them into effective ministry leaders. Over the next five years we will lead these congregations through a process whereby they reflect deeply on their cultural norms and practices as well as the shifting cultural landscape within the cities they serve and implement innovative programs that increase the participation of 30-50 year-olds in the life of their congregations.