On Saturday January 30, 2010 hundreds of friends, neighbors and supporters (including several members of the Police Gang Prevention Unit) stood with us as we dedicated a 9500 square-foot Teen Center. It is strategically located across the street from a 2800-student High School and in the 6.2 square-mile Olympic Precinct (in which 28 street gangs have been identified).

Proclamations were received from Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Guillermo Cespedes, Director, Gang Reductions & Youth Development.
Our Councilman, Ed Reyes, brought greetings and words of encouragement and partnership.

World Impact missionary Susie Kook and Erron Harris, one of the teenagers to whom we have ministered, shared their vision for the Center. Los Angeles Director, Tim Goddu, introduced Malibu Presbyterian Pastor, Rev. Greg Hughes, who offered the Prayer of Dedication.

Joining me in the ribbon cutting were (from left to right:Tim Goddu, Guillermo Cespedes, Rosey Grier, Councilman Ed Reyes, Greg Hughes, Keith Phillips, Rev. Leonard Jackson).

After World Impact Board member, Rosey Grier, pronounced the benediction, hundreds of guests were given guided tours through the new center by the teenagers for whom it was built.

I am grateful for the faithful supporters who made this possible, and for the support of our community, County, City, police and schools.

May every young person who enters this Center know the presence and peace that only God can bring. May teenagers grow in the nurture and admonition of our Lord; may they build healthy relationships with their families, their peers and those in authority over them. May they be examples in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. May their visions reflect the brightest of tomorrows and positively transform this community, our city and the world!