9122 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles 90003
1958
The True Way Missionary Baptist Church was organized on November 12, 1958 by the Reverend Henry F. Dean, from a mission, in the home of Bro. and Sis. Willie Hill, at 132 W. 77th Street. At its inception the church consisted of twenty-six members.
The name "True Way" was submitted by Sis. Doretha Wilson and unanimously adopted by the church.
The fledgling congregation held its first meetings in a storefront located at 4801 S.Hoover, Los Angeles, California. Graced with a sense of mission and dedication, the church continued at this location under Rev. Dean's able leadership and witnessed continued growth, both spiritually and numerically.
1960
On March 31, 1960, Rev Dean accepted the call to pastor the Emmanuel Baptist church in Stockton, California.
Rev. Frank J. Higgins, Sr., organizer and pastor of the Pleasant Green Baptist Church of Los Angeles, accepted the call to become the pastor of True Way and his wife, Sis. Laura B. Higgins, our First Lady.
During these formative years many efforts were initiated to enhance the church's mission. The Sunday School, Sis. Minnie Adams, Superintendent, continued to grow and flourish. New members were continually added and assigned to serve in various auxiliaries of the church
1962
In 1962 the young church moved to 8401 S. San Pedro Street. Although the young congregation continued to grow in size, the new building, large by most standards, was a struggle to maintain both physically and financially, Unable to meet the monthly financial load; the young church was forced to relocate to its present location in 1966.
A refrain from a familiar hymn expresses well the sorrowful moments of “losing the church”
"Like a ship that's tossed and driven, battered by an angry sea, When the storms of life are raging, and their fury falls on me, I wonder what I have done, that makes this race so hard to run, Then I say to my soul take courage, THE LORD WILL MAKE A WAY SOMEHOW (Thomas A. Dorsey)”
1970s - 1980s
Several Notable Milestones have occurred in the life of True Way
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On January 15, 1976, Ground Breaking Services for the present edifice were held.
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January 1978, the church purchased a lot adjacent to the church, on which the Hattie Higgins Fellowship Hall was constructed.
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November 1982, the house two doors down from the church was purchased. .
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In 1983 evangelistic team efforts resulted in the addition of 42 new members to the flock. .
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February 1985, the Scholarship Committee was founded and organized by Sis. Mary Alline, Sis. Mae Fields was appointed Chairperson.
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Saturday, October 5, 1985 at 12:00 Noon, Ground Breaking Ceremonies were held for the church dining hall and classrooms.
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1986 - Seventy persons were united with the church.
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1989-1993, approximately 260 new members were added to the church.
1987
An Emergency Shelter for the homeless and a Food Kitchen was established.
Approximately 500 meals were served weekly; up to 20 homeless
persons were sheltered.
1990s
On October 21, 1990, Dedication Services was held for an addition to the church annex
for the purpose of sheltering 30 homeless people.
January 1993, Triangle Christian Family Preservation Network was established under
the auspices of Triangle Christian Services, Inc.
During the first quarter of 1996, True Way Baptist Church upon recommendation of Pastor Frank Higgins, Sr. and the deacons, unanimously called the Rev. Phillip
Emmanuel Higgins, the second son of Pastor Higgins, to be its third pastor.
On November 6, 1996, Pastor Frank J. Higgins, Sr. was called to rest from his long years of service.
Pastor Phillip Higgins immediately began to launch new ministries like "Family Night," a series of spirit-filled ministries that serves the total needs of families, and our Prayer Hot-Line Ministry. In addition, Pastor Higgins led the church in painting of the building's exterior, the purchase of a new church van. , Renovation of the church's foyer, the purchase of a new copy machine, the creation of our mother's and Deaconess Board Office, the church's Finance Room, and its Auxiliary Conference Room. Pastor Higgins also initiated a drive to update True Way's membership files; established the "Emphasis of the Month" Ministries; Pastor Phillip Higgins served True Way until May of 2002.
Without an earthly shepherd for over three years, some of the members lost hope and became weary in well doing. This resulted in some transferring their membership to other local churches. But thanks be to God for those who stayed the course and ran this race with patience, endurance, and hope, knowing that God never fails.
2000s
November 2005 Installation Services were held to install Rev. Donald L. Wilson as the fourth Pastor of True Way Baptist Church.
Over 100 new members, including some 50 by baptism have been added to the flock. True Way also began to experience the renewal and rebirth of several ministries such as the Women's Ministry under the leadership of our new First Lady, Sis Elvia Wilson; Pastor Wilson initiated an Evangelistic Outreach Ministry called "Friday Night at the Movies"; Corporate Prayer Service; Fifth Sunday Mission Services; “Want a Job” ministry. Rev. Wilson was instrumental in helping others obtain employment by hosting at True Way a workforce-training program called “ Boot Camp”. Boot Camp was a five-day, intensive training camp designed to give minority jobseekers the skills and information they need to obtain well-paying jobs in the hospitality industry. Rev. Wilson served True Way until October 2015.
True Way is a most grateful people, blessed by God to share a rich heritage paid for by the sacrifice of many saints, many of who now rests from their labors and are secured by the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In Memoriam
The following video is of the
True Way Trailblazers. Those saints that have gone before us that were servants and members of True Way.
We await the day we reunite with these beloved family members and friends.
2013
On April 25, 2013, The City of Los Angeles honored the Late Rev. Frank J Higgins, Sr. by dedicating the corner of 92nd Street and San Pedro to him. The late Dr. Higgins many acknowledgements and achievements include: Pastor and Builder of the True Way Missionary Baptist Church; President of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California for 18 years; Founder of Triangle of Triangle Christian Services, Inc., Family Preservation Program and Shelter for Homeless Women and Children; Community Activist; and Leader. In these roles, Rev. Frank J Higgins, Sr., left an indelible mark on the citizens of Los Angeles.
2015
In 2015, a son of True Way Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Les Higgins, Sr., and his family came to True Way to preach in the absence of a pastor. They never left.
2019
In October 2019, True Way started ministering to the young shelter guests spiritually by starting a Friday night Awana program (www.awana.org). Awana is both a Bible study for the kids as well as a time of fellowship and fun and games. The program includes Bible memory, singing, and great fun for the children.
2020-Present
On February 9, 2020, True Way Missionary Baptist Church voted Reverend Les Higgins, Sr. as their new pastor.
On March 15, 2020, as the worldwide pandemic continued to rise and the novel virus spread rapidly, True Way responded swiftly and prayerfully. Thanks to the decisive leadership of our new pastor, the church was prepared and transitioned online the Sunday before the official lockdown began, protecting both the flock and the shelter guest. Services moved to Zoom, allowing us to continue gathering safely for both Sunday School and Morning Worship each week. During the pandemic, we experienced the heartbreaking loss of several longtime members. Even in grief, we held firmly to the promises of Psalm 91, trusting our Sovereign Creator to sustain and carry us through the trial. In this new season, Pastor Les, through faithful expository preaching, planning and shepherding, has helped bring renewed unity, revive ministries, reconnect the church with sheltering the homeless, and strengthen leadership for the season of growth ahead.
Pastor Les’s vision is to nurture a Spirit-Led congregation rooted in the 5 R's of Ministry as illustrated in Acts 2:42-47:
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Remaining in the Word
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Remembering Jesus
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Relationship building
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Religious Charity
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Replication
We are excited about the journey ahead and where God is taking our congregation.
