Mosaic Church

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Mosaic Church is a Christian church congregation of Baptist affiliation in Los Angeles, California.

Contents 1 Beginnings 2 Foundation and Growth Years 3 Transitional Years 4 Today 5 See Also

[edit] Beginnings

Thirty-five charter members of Bethel Baptist Church began meeting on January 3, 1943 in a rented storefront in Los Angeles. In its humble beginnings, members brought their own chairs to the first service.

By 1958, two more missions were established in Baldwin Park and Monterey Park, and weekly attendance in worship was averaging 250.

[edit] Foundation and Growth Years

In 1969, at just 24 years of age, Thom Wolf was asked to become senior pastor of the now named First Southern Baptist Church of East Los Angeles. Thom brought enthusiasm, hope, drive and vision to the handful of people still attending. A place that had nearly forgotten its dreams. Located on Brady Ave, over time, church members began to refer to the congregation as "The Church on Brady." Although never officially changed this was how it became recognized.

"Bro Thom" developed and led the church through a common mission to "become a spiritual reference point east of downtown Los Angeles and a sending base to the ends of the earth."

He helped to pioneer "Oikos Evangelism": reaching out to one’s circle of influence; home church groups or "Share Groups". He fostered a new American apostolic church, rather a traditional one. George Hunter III , Reaching the Unreached (1997) after examining American apostolic churches (including Willow Creek Community Church and Saddleback Church) found The Church of Brady to be "...the most apostolic congregation in America."

In the early 1990's they were responsible for more missionaries than any other church in the International Mission Board. Dr. Lyle Schaller states, "The Church on Brady tenaciously and persistently pursued the perennial apostolic paradigm of church ... multiplication rather than church ...maintenance." The Church on Brady started many new churches both locally in or near Los Angeles and internationally.

Thom's passionate communication style was used to share his deep knowledge of biblical scripture. Thom used graphic sound effects, the 3 "C's" (and the like), acronyms, initialisms and other mnemonic memory methods to teach the congregation.

Even though many were sent out, Brady experienced overcrowding. By 1983 the original building on Brady was far outgrown and in need of repair. Thom moved the church to build a new structure and support buildings that were completed in 1987.

In line with these leading actions the Spare Not Conference on World Evangelism became an internationally recognized initiative to encourage world-wide evangelism influencing the thoughts and actions of hundreds of congregations across the United States as well as like-minded individuals and organizations across the globe. Brady became the destination of hundreds wanting to get closer to God and learn to share with others. This was not a suburban church of professionals. Brady was comprised of ordinary people. The ethnic mix was Asian, Hispanic and Caucasian from lower and middle class families in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area. The leadership reflected this make-up.

In 25 years as Senior Pastor Thom Wolf saw the rebirth and great growth of a vibrant, world impacting, multi-national community.

• Thom Wolf
• History of the Church on Brady

[edit] Transitional Years

In October of 1991, Erwin McManus was first introduced to The Church on Brady as the keynote speaker at Brady’s Spare Not Conference on World Evangelism. He was then invited to move to The Church on Brady and Los Angeles to transition into the role of Senior Pastor.

Early in 1994, Erwin officially to became Senior Pastor. Bro Thom moved into a role of "Teaching Pastor" and simultaneously accepted a teaching position at Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco.

Born in El Salvador, Erwin had moved at an early age to the United States with his family. He brought 15 years experience as urban church planter, evangelist, and speaker.

Able "hit the ground running" and build on the foundation at Brady. Multi-media was the new tool in churches at the time. Pastor Erwin allowed for the increase and improvement of these new tools. He introduced to Brady art and dance as weekly components of worship. Regular night-time services became part of the landscape of Brady. The late '90’s saw the congregation once again facing overcrowding.

A new name was sought with "Mosaic" being the accepted choice. It was at this time that the Sunday night service was moved to a night-club in downtown Los Angeles and newly named Mosaic became a church with multiple sites. In 2003 Mosaic sold its property on Brady street and became entirely mobile in one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world.

• Mosaic Church
• Mosaic Church. History of Mosaic. Brochure (2006)
• Erwin McManus
• Erwin Raphael McManus

[edit] Today

Erwin McManus is Lead Pastor Mosaic operates in four locations:

• Inland (Chino)
• Westside (Beverly Hills)
• Mayan (Downtown)
• Pasadena (William Carey University)

Mosaic has been mentioned as one the "top 15 most influential churches in the nation" (CNN’S American Morning) and has over 80 nationalities in attendance.

[edit] See Also

• A Revisionist History of the Church on Brady?
• Mosaicofpain.com
• Mosaic Alliance
• Awaken