Some people celebrate their birthday with cake, ice cream, maybe some balloons, flowers, and of course, gifts.  Some like to ring in their birthdays with a festive party, while others prefer to spend it in quiet reflection.  Some people see their birthday as a time to take personal inventory of their lives. 

However, one particular person celebrated his 30th birthday unlike anyone else—he took leadership of a 25,000-member megachurch!

On Sunday, March 15, 2009, approximately 6,000 people attended the installation and consecration ceremony of Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr. as he became the head of Crenshaw Christian Center as its presiding Pastor.  On his son’s 30th birthday, Dr. Frederick K.C. Price officially handed the torch to Frederick Kenneth Price, and stepped down as acting Pastor of CCC.

The transition, which was years in the making, certainly made history for the members, staff and First Family of CCC, but it is also perhaps the first time a father handed over the operation and leadership of a predominantly Black “megachurch” to his son.

The 2-hour ceremony began with the CCC Sanctuary Voices’ moving rendering of “Order My Steps” as a formal processional of CCC’s pastoral staff, dressed in the clergy white collar and black suits, marched in and took their places.  It was a stunning visual representation of the depth and solidarity of CCC’s church Elders, Ministers and Deacons.

As the choir reached the crescendo of the song, everyone rose as Pastor Price, Jr. proceeded down the aisle; bringing the Faithdome alive with thunderous applause. 

Certainly not one who enjoys being at the center of attention, Pastor Price, Jr. modestly acknowledged the well-wishes of his flock as he passed by hundreds of parishioners who waved, cheered, took photos, and blew kisses at their new leader. 

Similar to the way a bride walks down to the wedding aisle to meet with her groom as they partake in a life-changing covenant, Pastor Frederick Price, Jr. also walked down the aisle towards his destiny as the future of CCC.  Once at the platform, in the center of the sanctuary, Pastor Price, Jr. took his place.  Blinking back tears, he lifted his hands giving praise to God and politely acknowledged the cheers of the crowd.

With the choir still singing, next in the processional was the Episcopal Cross bearer (similar to a wedding’s ring bearer). Cloaked in a white gown, Pastor Price, Jr.’s nephew Tyler Buchanan carried a solid brass cross down the aisle and placed it on the platform for display.
 
Following the cross bearer in the processional was the Chaplain to the Apostle, Bishop Wiley Jackson, founder of Gospel Tabernacle Churches of Atlanta and Stone Mountain in Georgia.  Bishop Jackson is best known to CCC members as a prominent member of the Fellowship of Inner-City Word of Faith Ministries (FICWFM), and was also welcomed with applause and cheers as he made his way down to the platform.

And then came the moment of truth.  Apostle Dr. Frederick K.C. Price, clad in a brilliant red tunic, similar to those worn by the Pope or a Catholic Cardinal, made his way down the aisle as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause that reverberated throughout the entire sanctuary, nearly drowning out the choir. 

With a 7-ft. shepherd’s staff in hand, Apostle Price beamed as he took his place at the platform, between CCC Senior Pastor Craig Hays, and Bishop Jackson. The three men stand behind a long table draped with beautifully brilliant white cloth and facing a strong, poised, and composed Pastor Price.

As the choir finished their song, the crowd applauds and cheers for approximately 1 full minute before taking their seats and prepare for the responsive reading, led by Dr. La Verne Tolbert, of CCC’s church Elders.  The parishioners followed and participated in the reading that was found in an 18-page color commemorative program distributed at the beginning of the service.

“The time has come and is now that we, who worship the Lord God, should do so in Spirit and in Truth,” began Dr. Tolbert. “It is God who has made us and not we, ourselves.  We are the sheep of God’s pasture.  God has called us out of darkness into God’s Glorious Light.”

After the responsive reading Minister Gail Riley gave the invocation.

“Today is a day of transition; a day of new beginnings. It’s a day where the baton will be passed from one anointing to another,” prayed Minister Riley. “We also celebrate his birthday, his birth from his mother’s womb and his entrance into destiny. For he was born for such a day as this.”

After the invocation, Dr. Delores Jones read from Numbers 27:12-23; Jeremiah 3:15, referencing the call to ministry leadership and service of the church.  Minister Alice Gier read 1Timothy 4:12-16, encouraging Pastor Price, Jr. to not allow his youth to be an obstacle that impedes him from doing what the Lord has called him to do.

Holding in their hands blue hymnals, the CCC Sanctuary Voices led the congregation in a Hymn of Praise, “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name.” 

 “This is a day we’ve been looking forward to for a long, long time,” said Pastor Hays. “I’m so glad that I lived to see this day when we would install the new Pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center.”

One of Pastor Price Jr.’s professors, Pastor Larry Matteson of Cottonwood Christian School of Ministry, publicly congratulated him and gave some words of advice.

Kenneth Copeland provided a video message congratulating Pastor Price, Jr. on this special day.

“This was no surprise that you would one day be installed as pastor,” Brother Copeland said, “and that you would come to that place where your dad with a smile on his face could hand the baton off to you and the congregation would know that the church is not only in good hands but will continue to grow for another generation. Gloria and I and our family and all of our ministry family…we join our faith to his…we stand side by side with him in the Name of the Lord Jesus to get this work done to preach the Word…”

A moving video message of support was also presented by Oral Roberts, Sr.

“Freddie is anointed of God. I know that because I’ve placed my hands on him and I felt the anointing of the Holy Spirit flood through me into him,” Brother Roberts said.  “I know in my heart that he’s going to be a good Pastor under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  I’m so happy to be a part of this.”

Perhaps what made the Installation Ceremony so remarkable was its formalities.  After the special remarks and a palpable musical rendition of “More Than Wonderful” by CCC’s own Gertrude Badley, the consecration process began with “The Call” when Pastor Hays formally and publicly presented Pastor Price, Jr. to Apostle Price to be considered for the office of Head Pastor of CCC.

“Apostle and Council of Pastors, by the will of God and in His presence, we present this candidate to you and the church for public consecration to the sacred office of Pastor to the Church Universal and the world,” presented Pastor Hays.

As the Founder of CCC, Apostle Price received Pastor Hays’ presentation of Pastor Fred Price, Jr. to be installed as the Pastor of CCC.

“Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ, as this Church has received them,” Apostle Price asked Pastor Price, Jr. “And will you, in accordance with the canons of this church, obey your Apostle and all others who may have authority over you and your work?”

Pastor Price, Jr. boldly responded, “I am willing and ready do so and I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the church.”

After “The Call” to the service of Pastor of CCC was completed, Apostle Price performed the “Rite of Installation,” officially naming Frederick K. Price, Jr. the Pastor of CCC. The rite is a thorough declaration and promise to commit to and execute of the duties of the head of the local church. The congregation formally accepted the new pastor and also declared their support and prayers him and his wife. At the end of the rite, Apostle Price handed over his job to his son.

“The office of Pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center is now committed to you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” Apostle Price decreed. “The God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sigh, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory forever and ever.”

Apostle Price and his wife Betty, laid hands on Pastor Price, Jr. and his wife, Angel as they knelt before them for prayer.  When they arose, they became the new Pastor and First Lady of Crenshaw Christian Center.

 “Thank you Crenshaw Christian Center for receiving my baby,” Dr. Betty addressed the church. “I know that he’s going to be a blessing to this ministry…I know that in my heart.”

The grand finale of the service was featured guest speaker Pastor Creflo Dollar, Founder of World Changers Ministries International.   It was during a sermon that Creflo Dollar ministered in the FaithDome 13 years ago, when Pastor Price, Jr. received the call into ministry on his life.  The rest was history.

“Apostle Frederick K.C. Price, thank you sir, for all of the years of serving and ministering the work and loving the people,” Brother Dollar said. “Pastor Fred K. Price, Jr., you are absolutely anointed for this task. And I pray that I can be a blessing to you.

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