T.
ABSTRACT
INTERVIEWEE NAME: Don
Bradford COLLECTION: 4700.0887
IDENTIFICATION: Founder and Pastor of
INTERVIEWER: Rashada Jenkins
PROJECT: McKinley 3: African American Churches
DATES: July
01, 1997 FOCUS
DATES: 1958-1998
ABSTRACT:
T1265, Side A
Don Bradford,
born Sept. 18, 1948 in Shreveport, Louisiana; Pastor of Charity Christian
Center Church at 650 W. McKinley St. Baton Rouge, Louisiana; father, James Jefferson
was a carpenter; mother, Beatrice Flournoy was a
home-maker; the importance of accepting Christ to become a new life;
backsliding and not attending church prior to recommitting his life to the
Lord; admitting his backsliding and wanting to return to being a Christian;
Bradford founded Charity Christian Center Church in 1985; Charity Christian
began as bible study in his bedroom; Charity originally located on Perkins
Road, near College Drive; moved to former Blundon
Home on 650 West McKinley Drive; community outreach programs where Serenity 67
is; God directed his search for the ministry=s new building; there was a $650,000
asking price, but God instructs Charity to offer $200,000 and hold; the
purchase agreement signed 1 year and three months later for $200,000; building
in need of major repairs, but Charity did not have money; Charity receives a
bank loan, pays for property, and is left with $3,000 to it=s
name; Charity doubled from 200 to 400 members; Charity Christian=s
name originates from love and comradery the founding
members had for one another; vision of a family church; vision of a ministry of
excellence; raising the value and values of the community; striving to prevent
drug and alcohol sales in the community; the above average attitude that God=s
people should embody; progress of Charity Christian and making a difference in
the community; renewing the mind and developing as a Christian by using the
bible; Charity Christian=s South Baton Rouge outreach vision for Aleaving
out better than you came in;@ the paramount importance of knowing what religion expects
from you; Charity Christian=s programs and future plans for an
academy; Pastor Bradford=s role as a shepherd, teacher, preacher,
and example through Jesus; Charity Christian=s changes settings to meet the needs of
the adults and youths with a Sunday School structure; Charity=s
organization of service may not be typical; call to praise and worship or
pandemonium; Series Sermons
and related topics; God speaking to you and being moved by the Holy Spirit;
Charity Christian=s non-denominational heading; Youth
Summer Camp fees pay for hiring staff; educational and recreational components;
food and prayer program for community outreach; baptism done in the name of the
Lord; weddings scheduled around the completion of a two-part foundational
marriage class given twice a year; rejoicing at funerals for being with the
Lord; growing up in Belcher, Louisiana; always enjoying church; Pastor Bradford
believes women=s functions with Charity Christian follow
as God directs their talents and callings; three choirs: preteens, youth, and
adult; male ushers and female greeters; tithing the tenth or an offering of
heart; Charity Christian=s community notices for other churches; a
legacy for reaching the community; being Christians and worshiping; closing.
TAPES: T1265 A TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 44 minutes
# PAGES
TRANSCRIPT: 25
OTHER
MATERIALS: handwritten
Biographical sketch and index
RESTRICTIONS: none