LEFT: The day was filled with joyful worship. CENTER: (Left to right): Lawrence S. Dorsey Sr., University church pastor; Bradford Newton, Pacific Union Conference president; Gina Spivey-Brown, Oakwood University president; John H. Cress, SCC president; Wayne Dunbar, SCC vice president for education; Lawrence S. Dorsey II, SCC Greater L.A. Region director; and Danny Chan, SCC executive secretary were all in attendance for this significant event. RIGHT: Spivey-Brown appeals to listeners as she prays that God will work in their lives.
On the weekend when Gina Spivey-Brown, Ph.D., was inaugurated as the incoming president of Oakwood University, Lawrence S. Dorsey II, director of the Greater Los Angeles Region of the Southern California Conference (SCC), was introduced to her by a mutual friend. “Immediately after I told her what I did, she asked me, ‘What can you do for us, for Oakwood University?’” he recalled. “For a minute I was thrown off, except I love that energy and questioning, and so I said, ‘Dr. Brown, I think that a visit from you out here would be beneficial not just for those that attend or attended Oakwood University but for the Southern California Conference area to have a visit from the president of the school.”
It looked like the visit would land on Jan. 31, which could be a way to “anchor into Black History Month,” as Dorsey put it. But a scheduling conflict led to a date of Feb. 7, and the visit took place at University church in Los Angeles.
“We are honored and blessed that Dr. Brown spent the first Sabbath on her first Black History Month of her first year as the 12th president, and first female president, of Oakwood University at a conference that is not a regional conference—she spent it here in the Southern California Conference,” Dorsey shared.
The service was filled with praise, history, and a rich message from Spivey-Brown. After lunch came an opportunity for a Q&A where prospective students could hear from Spivey-Brown on their questions. The visit was not only set in the context of Black History Month, but it also celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Black History Month.
“It’s a joy to be here at one of our Southern California Conference legacy churches, the University church,” SCC President John H. Cress shared. “And especially this month as we honor Black History Month. It’s such an honor because we’re able to remember the stories of faith that has shaped the whole church over many, many years.”
Spivey-Brown’s message, entitled “Dream Killers,” rooted in the story of Joseph, encouraged attendees to keep their focus tight on God’s calling on their life, no matter the opposition. “Some of you have been discouraged, and you don’t believe that your dream can come up—and I’m here to tell you, God can answer your dream,” Spivey-Brown asserted. “God can do it for you.”