Post by krazeeboi on Oct 28, 2010 19:20:35 GMT -5
Pentecostal Bishop Arthur Brazier dies at 89
October 22, 2010 11:25 PM
In the 1960s, Bishop Arthur M. Brazier marched through the streets of Chicago alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the struggle against segregation in housing and schools.
He helped start The Woodlawn Organization to shepherd his South Side community through racial unrest and neighborhood upheaval.
A spiritual leader as well, Bishop Brazier was Pentecostal pastor of the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn for more than 48 years, building a congregation of nearly 20,000 members before handing church leadership over to his son, the Rev. Bryon Brazier, in 2008.
Bishop Brazier, 89, who influenced generations of pastors and parishioners and who was praised by President Barack Obama as "one of our nation's leading moral lights," died Friday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, after a five-year struggle with prostate cancer, his family said.
A few thousand people filled the Apostolic Church of God on Friday night for a special service.
People hugged and cried as they entered the church, where Bishop Brazier's family and church leaders shared memories.
"He was just a great leader, a father, a pastor," said Maisha Raines, 26, a church member since childhood.
Bishop Brazier taught several generations of young clergymen how to meld spiritual leadership with community activism, said the Rev. Leon Finney Jr., president of The Woodlawn Organization.
"He was forerunner of the whole faith-based concept," said Finney, who said he became a pastor because of Brazier's influence. "He changed my life and taught me how I could serve the church and still be engaged in social change and justice."
For decades, Bishop Brazier fought gangs and crime and pushed for more affordable homes and better schools. As founding president of The Woodlawn Organization, he opposed plans by the nearby University of Chicago to expand, which would have displaced residents and use land he hoped to develop for low-income housing.
While he refused to preach politics from the pulpit, his wide influence made the Apostolic Church of God an obligatory campaign stop for politicians.
On Father's Day in 2008, presidential candidate Obama delivered a key campaign speech on the importance of family in Bishop Brazier's church. The president issued a statement Friday saying he and the first lady were "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, a stalwart of the city of Chicago."
"Bishop Brazier ... promoted spiritual empowerment and economic development through his pastorate of Apostolic Church of God and leadership of numerous community organizations and charitable efforts," Obama said.
Bishop Horace E. Smith, presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, said Bishop Brazier's death leaves a leadership void in the African-American community.
"He affected people in every sector of society," said Smith, pastor of Apostolic Faith Church in Bronzeville. "We all looked to him as a mentor. You watched him and admired his sophistication, his intellect and his integrity."
Bishop Brazier was born on the South Side. After a year at Phillips High School, he dropped out to find work. In 1942, he was drafted into the Army, serving as a staff sergeant in India and Burma, now Myanmar.
After his discharge in 1945, Bishop Brazier returned to Chicago and met his future wife. He was baptized at 26, later saying it was at that moment "the Lord saved me."
He took a job as a mail carrier but felt a deep urge to preach. Studying at night at the Moody Bible Institute, he became pastor of the Universal Church of Christ on the South Side in 1952. Eight years later, he merged his congregation with that of the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn.
A meeting with legendary community organizer Saul Alinsky hastened his involvement in community activism and the civil rights movement. He met King in 1966, joining the civil rights leader on marches and protests during his visits to Chicago.
During that troubled era, he was threatened with death, and bomb threats were made on his church, Bishop Brazier said in his memoir.
"I feel proud and happy that we didn't just sit around and wring our hands about these problems," Bishop Brazier told the Tribune in 2008. "We were able to see beyond the four walls of the church and we did something."
At his retirement service, in his trademark raspy voice, he reminded his congregation to focus on spiritual strength rather than material wealth.
"We've continued to make our presence known in this community and in this city by carrying out the work of the Lord and remembering the poor," he said. "It would be wise if we remember the words of Jesus, who said, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and the other things will be added to you.' "
Other survivors include his wife, Isabelle Brazier; and three daughters, Lola Hillman, Janice Dortch and Rosalyn Shepherd.
The body of Bishop Brazier will lie in state at the Apostolic Church of God on Thursday from noon to 6:30 p.m. The church will hold a service for the congregation that night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Friday, the church will hold a service for community and national leaders to honor Bishop Brazier. Viewing will take place Friday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and a service will begin at 11 a.m.
--Margaret Ramirez
October 22, 2010 11:25 PM
In the 1960s, Bishop Arthur M. Brazier marched through the streets of Chicago alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the struggle against segregation in housing and schools.
He helped start The Woodlawn Organization to shepherd his South Side community through racial unrest and neighborhood upheaval.
A spiritual leader as well, Bishop Brazier was Pentecostal pastor of the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn for more than 48 years, building a congregation of nearly 20,000 members before handing church leadership over to his son, the Rev. Bryon Brazier, in 2008.
Bishop Brazier, 89, who influenced generations of pastors and parishioners and who was praised by President Barack Obama as "one of our nation's leading moral lights," died Friday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, after a five-year struggle with prostate cancer, his family said.
A few thousand people filled the Apostolic Church of God on Friday night for a special service.
People hugged and cried as they entered the church, where Bishop Brazier's family and church leaders shared memories.
"He was just a great leader, a father, a pastor," said Maisha Raines, 26, a church member since childhood.
Bishop Brazier taught several generations of young clergymen how to meld spiritual leadership with community activism, said the Rev. Leon Finney Jr., president of The Woodlawn Organization.
"He was forerunner of the whole faith-based concept," said Finney, who said he became a pastor because of Brazier's influence. "He changed my life and taught me how I could serve the church and still be engaged in social change and justice."
For decades, Bishop Brazier fought gangs and crime and pushed for more affordable homes and better schools. As founding president of The Woodlawn Organization, he opposed plans by the nearby University of Chicago to expand, which would have displaced residents and use land he hoped to develop for low-income housing.
While he refused to preach politics from the pulpit, his wide influence made the Apostolic Church of God an obligatory campaign stop for politicians.
On Father's Day in 2008, presidential candidate Obama delivered a key campaign speech on the importance of family in Bishop Brazier's church. The president issued a statement Friday saying he and the first lady were "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend, a stalwart of the city of Chicago."
"Bishop Brazier ... promoted spiritual empowerment and economic development through his pastorate of Apostolic Church of God and leadership of numerous community organizations and charitable efforts," Obama said.
Bishop Horace E. Smith, presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, said Bishop Brazier's death leaves a leadership void in the African-American community.
"He affected people in every sector of society," said Smith, pastor of Apostolic Faith Church in Bronzeville. "We all looked to him as a mentor. You watched him and admired his sophistication, his intellect and his integrity."
Bishop Brazier was born on the South Side. After a year at Phillips High School, he dropped out to find work. In 1942, he was drafted into the Army, serving as a staff sergeant in India and Burma, now Myanmar.
After his discharge in 1945, Bishop Brazier returned to Chicago and met his future wife. He was baptized at 26, later saying it was at that moment "the Lord saved me."
He took a job as a mail carrier but felt a deep urge to preach. Studying at night at the Moody Bible Institute, he became pastor of the Universal Church of Christ on the South Side in 1952. Eight years later, he merged his congregation with that of the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn.
A meeting with legendary community organizer Saul Alinsky hastened his involvement in community activism and the civil rights movement. He met King in 1966, joining the civil rights leader on marches and protests during his visits to Chicago.
During that troubled era, he was threatened with death, and bomb threats were made on his church, Bishop Brazier said in his memoir.
"I feel proud and happy that we didn't just sit around and wring our hands about these problems," Bishop Brazier told the Tribune in 2008. "We were able to see beyond the four walls of the church and we did something."
At his retirement service, in his trademark raspy voice, he reminded his congregation to focus on spiritual strength rather than material wealth.
"We've continued to make our presence known in this community and in this city by carrying out the work of the Lord and remembering the poor," he said. "It would be wise if we remember the words of Jesus, who said, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and the other things will be added to you.' "
Other survivors include his wife, Isabelle Brazier; and three daughters, Lola Hillman, Janice Dortch and Rosalyn Shepherd.
The body of Bishop Brazier will lie in state at the Apostolic Church of God on Thursday from noon to 6:30 p.m. The church will hold a service for the congregation that night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Friday, the church will hold a service for community and national leaders to honor Bishop Brazier. Viewing will take place Friday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and a service will begin at 11 a.m.
--Margaret Ramirez
