AZUSA STREET FESTIVAL SEEKS
LOCAL AND NATIONAL PARTICIPATION

Los Angeles, CA. – The Azusa Street Mission & Historical society is seeking local and national participants for the Azusa Street Festival, April 24 – 27.   Festival volunteers, vendors, choirs, worship artists and sponsors are needed. All events will take place on the Japanese American Cultural Community Center Plaza (JACCC) located at 244 South San Pedro Street in Los Angeles (Little Tokyo).  For more information on festival participation please call (323) 692-7268 or visit www.azusastreetmission.org

The four-day gospel music festival commemorating the 1906 Azusa Street Revival will take place at the original location of the Azusa Street Mission - the current location of JACCC- where the Pentecostal movement began over a century ago.  It is estimated that there are over 600 million Pentecostals in the United States, Latin America, Africa and Asia that originated from the Azusa Street Revival.  Each day, the Azusa Street Festival will feature music from all over the world representing different parts of the Pentecostal community.   The festival is sponsored by the Azusa Street Mission & Historical Society.  Bishop Charles E. Blake, Presiding Bishop of COGIC International & Senior Pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, is the Honorary Chairperson. “Celebrating the Global South and Recognizing Women” is the theme.

Councilmember Jan Perry of District 9 will open the festival on Thursday, April 24, by presenting a resolution recognizing the historic significance of Azusa Street Mission and William J. Seymour leader of the movement. Spanish language music will be begin at noon and continue throughout the day.  The popular Latin gospel group, the Gutierrez Brothers, better known as GB5, is the featured artists of the day. Thursday’s speaker will be Bruno Caamo, president and founder of Almavision Television network.  Almavision is the nation’s top Spanish language Christian cable station.  Tours to the Bonnie Brae house and Azusa Street will begin after the opening ceremony to show visitors the last physical remnant of the famed Azusa Street revival and historical markers designated by the city of Los Angeles.

Friday, April 25, will feature Brazilian music – and speaker Joel Costa president of Brazilian Assemblies of God, USA, a 16 million member group headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Friday’s festivities will begin with a selection from Brazilian saxophonist Davy Maia   from Sao Paulo Brazil. Brazilian Joe Vasconcelos will sing a famous Brazilian ballad  called “Amazed” “Voices of Africa” comprised of Africans representing 7 different countries in Africa will also perform. Dignitaries from Sao Paulo and the Brazilian government will be in attendance to visit city hall and tour Los Angeles.

On Saturday, April 26, at 2:00 p.m., Bishop Charles E. Blake, pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ will receive the 1st William J. Seymour Award for his contribution to the growth of the Pentecostal movement worldwide.  Bishop Blake is currently the Presiding Bishop of 6 million member Church of God in Christ and serves as the jurisdictional Prelate of the First Jurisdiction of Southern California, comprised of more than 250 churches.   Bishop Blake will receive the award from 105-year-old Dad Clark and many local pastors and leaders from all parts of Southern California. Saturday’s festivities will feature gospel music from around the world including psalmist Grace Williams, jazz musician Ron Brown, GB5 and Life Church of God in Christ Choir. Women’s role in the Pentecostal movement will be highlighted with guest speakers Michelle Correll and Suzanne Hinn, wife of famed Evangelist Benny Hinn.

The last day of the festival will focus on educating and dispelling the myths about Downtown L.A.’s homeless community. “Surviving the Nickel,” a play about the harsh realities of living on Skid Row will be followed by Pastor Jeffery R. Thomas of Central City Community Church of the Nazarene who will give a message of hope at 3:00 pm. Church of the Nazarene is a ministry located in Skid Row that deals with day-to-day challenges of the homeless.  We will also feed the homeless in the community and give hygiene kit to those living on the streets of Los Angeles.

Fred and Wilma Berry founded the Azusa Street Mission and Historical Society in 2006 during the centennial celebration.  The purpose of the ASMHS is to educate the public about the historical significance of the Azusa Street Mission and the global Pentecostal Movement's impact on society.  The Azusa Street Festival began in 2006 as a part of the centennial celebration that drew 50,000 visitors to the city to celebrate the birth of the Pentecostal movement on Azusa Street 100 years ago.