A number of readers have asked privately why are the shenanigans of the Black church generally or the AME church specifically of any importance to the general readership of The Mo’Kelly Report.

It’s a fair question, deserving of a fair answer.

It likely isn’t of great importance to the widest swath of readers.  But that’s the beauty of The Mo’Kelly Report.  There aren’t any advertisers, no underwriters, no sponsors…ergo no interference from outsiders.  The Mo’Kelly Report hasn’t ever been about “revenue” per se, otherwise it would’ve grown very differently.  It’s been about telling the truth.

To that end…

There has been much discussion of the disarray of the Los Angeles area churches of the 5th district of the AME church, the oldest Black church denomination in America.  Pastors of many of these churches have been discreetly selling off church property without putting the proceeds from the sale on the books.  Pastors have been mortgaging sanctuaries in order to put money in both their pocket and the pockets of the presiding elders and bishops.

As The Mo’Kelly Report has prided itself on documentation, not speculation…today will be no different.  With no further ado…Mo’Kelly will let the documentation speak for itself.

Bryant Temple AME – Pastor Clyde Oden Jr.

"Sly" Clyde Oden

Below you will find two documents, one detailing a loan taken out against the main property of 2525 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008  Bryant Temple is presently pastored by Clyde Oden, member of the Ministerial Efficiency Committee…along with Pastor Property Taxes (John Hunter) and Pastor Leslie White of Grant AME.  Leslie White is addressed further down.

March 21, 2006 – $249,500.00

July 23, 2008 – Refinanced mortgage amount of 176,415.18

This would be the SAME Clyde Oden wrapped up in the Watts Health Foundation financial controversy, regarding non-payment, insufficient payment and late payment of insurance claims.  State regulators took it over amid numerous claims of financial improprieties and “questionable” accounting practices.  See August 9, 2001 Los Angeles Times article below.

http://articles.latimes.com/2001/aug/09/business/fi-32277

Grant AME – Pastor Leslie White

Big Daddy Foreclosure

Below you will find notice of foreclosure of historic church at 10435 S. Central Ave.  40,657.03 in arrears.  Dated April 21, 2009

Click HERE

Mind you, this was the SAME Leslie White on the Ministerial Efficiency Committee adjudicating the case of Rev. Dr. Frederick O. Murph regarding supposed improper loans when his own church WAS IN FORECLOSURE.  Not “close” to foreclosure…IN FORECLOSURE.  To date, Bishop Kirkland has neither brought White up on charges nor formally reprimanded him (just like John Hunter).  Coincidentally, the bank which owns the deed is Broadway Federal, which “coincidentally” has done personal and professional business with Bishop T. Larry Kirkland for more than 20 years.  Just FYI.  Just throwin’ that out there.  Mo’Kelly’s just sayin’.

And below that you will find bill of sale of church parsonage (e.g. church property) by the pastor Leslie White, without neither appropriate permission from the trustees and steward board nor deposit of proceeds into church fund. FOR

$850,000!

How can a church be 40,000 in arrears and the pastor sell the parsonage for $850,000 and NOT bring the main sanctuary up to date?!  And not inform the church officers on EITHER transaction?! That sounds criminal.  Mo’Kelly’s just throwin’ it out there.  Just sayin’.

Click HERE.

Mo’Kelly has plenty more…but will sit on it for now.  The 5th District Annual Conference approaches.  No need to post everything now.  In due time.

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